Hairline Cracks In Ceiling
Horizontal Crack Between the Ceiling and Wall: This may be caused by something called “truss uplift.” The trusses holding up your roof are designed to move a little bit to absorb changes caused by temperature and humidity. The truss may move upward, lifting the ceiling with it. Spider Web Cracks As the name suggests, spider web cracks are those cracks that have a center point and then spread out in different directions. These cracks are a normal part of home settling and can occur in ceilings, walls, and even floors. When it comes to spider web cracks, size is important.
Find out what’s causing those unsightly squiggly lines that have marred your paint job—and learn how to remedy the situation.
Marco Sumayao Date: February 03, 2021 A cracked ceiling. Ceiling cracks happen naturally over time as a result of many factors. The older a structure is, the more likely that stress, moisture, and temperature will cause the formation of cracks. Homes with vaulted ceilings may develop these cracks in the higher areas as well. Additionally, drywall cracks are often found where two pieces of drywall are butted together. This occurs because there is a joint, which gets drywall taped and then layered with two or three coats of drywall mud.
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Q: I recently noticed a few cracks in our living room wall. I’m not sure if they’ve been there for a while and I just missed them, or if they’re new. Are cracks in the walls easy-fix cosmetic problems—or signs of a structural issue that will need extensive repairs?
A: Wall cracks are fairly common in both new and older homes and are often the result of normal house “settling” that can quickly, inexpensively be remedied by re-taping the joints—the seams where the drywall panels meet. Occasionally, however, cracks in walls signify a larger problem that should be addressed before you attempt to repair the crack. Here’s how to determine if the crack is flagging a serious problem, and what steps to take to get your wall back in shape.
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Causes of Cracks in Walls
If your home was recently built, cracks in walls could be the results of “new home” settling.
New lumber, sometimes called “green lumber,” contains a high level of moisture and tends to move slightly as it dries out, so small wall cracks are common in newly built homes. It’s a good idea to wait a year after your home was completed before repairing any cracks. This gives the wood time to dry completely. After that, you can re-tape the cracked joints (see the last section below for how-to info) without worrying that more will appear.
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Hairline cracks over doors and windows are likely due to settling.
Houses of any age move and shift subtly over time, and the weakest area in a wall is the most likely to crack. A wall is constructed with vertical studs that extend from floor to ceiling. The studs must be cut, however, in order to install a door or a window. While the builder adds extra framing to the adjacent studs, these areas are still weaker than the rest of the wall, and when settling occurs, these spots are the first to develop cracks. Hairline cracks across walls and doorways do not indicate a structural problem; they should simply be re-taped and painted.
Leaving a house vacant can cause wall cracks.
Vacation homes and those that sit empty for a few months are prone to developing cracks in both walls and ceilings. This is due to the house not being climate controlled as it would be if it were occupied. Fluctuations in temperature and humidity levels can cause framing members and drywall to expand and contract, resulting in cracking. Like other wall cracks, these can be re-taped and painted.
A thin straight crack could be the result of faulty taping.
When drywall panels are installed, the seams between the panels are filled with drywall mud and covered with paper tape. If the tape doesn’t have enough mud underneath to stick firmly, it can start to pull away from the wall over time. When this happens, you’ll see a fine crack where the tape has lifted. If there’s only one crack, try squirting a little household glue behind it and pressing it back into place. If the tape is lifting in multiple areas, however, your best bet is to re-tape all the seams because the problem will continue to recur.
Discoloration around the edges of the crack indicates a leak.
Water leaking from a window or the roof, or even a leaky attic water line, can run down inside a wall’s framing and saturate the drywall, which then softens and deteriorates, creating a crack with noticeable yellow or brownish stains. If the leak is fresh, such as from a recent rain, the area might also feel damp to the touch. Before fixing the crack, which will require replacing the damaged section of drywall and then re-taping, it’s important to find the source of the leak and repair it.
Large, jagged, or diagonal cracks could indicate a structural problem.
Jagged or diagonal cracks indicate that the foundation may have shifted or sunk, or another problem has occurred, such as the deterioration and collapse of supporting wood members due to termite damage. Likewise, cracks wider than one-quarter inch indicate a potential problem with the home’s structure. These cracks warrant bringing in a reputable builder or engineer to inspect your home’s structure and pinpoint the cause. Once the structural problem is resolved, you can make drywall repairs, which involve replacing the damaged drywall panel(s) and then re-taping the joints.
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Repairing Cracks in Walls
The best way to repair a crack in drywall is to re-tape the joint.
This involves scraping away the loose tape and crumbled bits of drywall mud, sanding the surface smooth, and then filling the crack with drywall compound and applying new tape. The trick to getting a smooth wall is to apply two to three very thin coats of drywall compound over the paper tape, and sand each coat after it dries before applying the next coat.
Filling cracks with spackle is not recommended.
The spackle does not provide the same reinforced surface coverage you’ll get by re-taping, and any slight settling will cause the crack to show up again. For long-lasting repairs, re-tape cracks rather than filling them with spackle.
Do you have cracks in your ceiling? Find out if the cause is simply cosmetic, of if you're facing a structural issue that needs immediate attention.
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Q: I just noticed a crack in my ceiling, but I’m not sure how long it’s been there. Is it a normal symptom of an aging house? Or is it an indication that something is dangerously wrong? Should I be worried?
A: Over time, virtually all homes will develop cracks that are cosmetic in nature and not indicative of a larger problem. But some cracks—especially those wider than 1/8-inch—may signal structural issues. Examining the shape, size, and location of the crevice can give insight into possible causes and solutions. Here’s how to deal with cracks in the ceiling, whether they appear in the bedroom, kitchen, basement, or other room of the house.
Causes of Ceiling Cracks—and How to Fix Them
A fine straight ceiling crack could be the result of a poorly taped joint.
If an insufficient amount of drywall mud was used during the taping process, the paper tape won’t adhere well to the joint. As a result, you may notice a straight “crack” along the edge of loosened tape.
Solution: Homeowners can choose to ignore this superficial problem, since it isn’t a structural or safety hazard. You can also minimize the appearance of the crack by applying a small amount of thin drywall compound under the loose tape and re-adhering it to the drywall.
A discolored crack indicates a moisture problem.
Sometimes, water from an overhead leak can trickle between the ceiling’s drywall panels, causing the joint tape to loosen, creating the appearance of a crack, and leaving unsightly yellow or brown stains. Before you can repair the ceiling, determine the cause of the leak and fix it.
Solution: To undo the damage done to the ceiling, scrape off the loose tape and re-tape the joint, either with a drywall repair kit or paper tape and joint compound. If you have a textured ceiling, use an aerosol texture product (found in home improvement stores) to cover the newly re-taped joint so it blends into the ceiling’s existing texture.
Note: Drywall will resist some moisture, but long-term leaks can result in water damage, which requires replacement of the damaged drywall. If the drywall has swollen or softened, it’s no longer viable; the damaged section must be replaced before re-taping and re-texturing.
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Tiny spiderweb cracks may suggest thick application of drywall compound.
How To Fix Hairline Cracks In Ceiling Paint
Thinned drywall compound is often used to create a textured ceiling. If it was applied too thickly, you may notice tiny cracks that run in all directions because the compound shrinks as it dries.
Solution: To conceal the blemishes, try applying a thin layer of drywall compound over the existing texture. You could also remove the existing texture by sanding—a messier prospect—and apply new drywall compound to the ceiling.
Truss uplift can cause a horizontal crack between an interior wall and the ceiling.
Roof trusses are designed to move slightly as their wood members expand and contract with attic temperature and moisture fluctuations. When the roof truss pulls upward, it may lift the ceiling drywall along with it, creating a crack between the wall and the ceiling. This common mistake often occurs if a handyman attaches drywall panels to the trusses near the edge of a non-load bearing wall.
Solution:The only way to permanently fix the issue is removing the nails or screws that secure the edge of the drywall panels to the trusses, and reattaching them to clips or blocks installed on the top of the interior wall plates. It’s best to hire a professional for this project.
If a homeowner doesn’t care to repair the issue, they can camouflage the crack by installing dark-stained crown molding around the top of the room. The molding should be attached only to the framing members in the wall—not to the ceiling joists. This cosmetic ceiling repair won’t stop the trusses (and the ceiling drywall) from lifting with moisture and temperature changes, but the dark color of the molding will disguise the appearance of the crack, while also adding a decorative touch to the room.
Ceiling cracks accompanied by wall cracks could be the result of the house settling.
Homes naturally settle as they age, which can create crevices in the walls and ceilings typically above doors and windows as well as in corners. These superficial hairline cracks can usually be re-taped—but, if the house continues to settle, the cracks are likely to reappear in the same spots.
Solution: If the gaps are wider than 1/8-inch, it’s a good idea to consult a reputable home builder, since you may have a structural problem.
In older homes with plaster ceilings, movement and moisture may create cracks.
Since plaster is extremely rigid, the slightest movement can cause a gap. Typically, plaster ceiling cracks have two causes: house settling and temperature or moisture fluctuations in an attic, which result in the expansion or contraction of framing members.
Solution: Homeowners can fill these commonly occurring hairline cracks with new plaster and repaint the ceiling. If you have wider cracks or sections of loose plaster, the lath system beneath the plaster is likely failing—in which case, the plaster should be removed and replaced with drywall.
Large cracks on a bowed ceiling could indicate a structural problem.
When a ceiling bows or sags, you have a problem that requires prompt attention. If you’ve recently installed something heavy on the floor above—such as a hot tub, a waterbed, or a pool table—the ceiling joists might sag under the excessive weight. A ceiling may also crack or bow due to the incorrect removal of a load-bearing wall or damage to other support members.
Hairline Cracks In Ceiling Uk
Solution: A structural engineer or a reputable builder should examine the ceiling as soon as possible to determine the best way to remedy the situation.