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Ceiling Cracks

Cracks along your ceiling can be unattractive and take away from a room. They can also be annoying if you are constantly mending them but they keep coming back.

Some ceiling cracks go beyond annoying, however. While some are simply due to age or workmanship, others are caused by anything from plumbing leaks to foundation settlement that could cause significant structural problems if not repaired.

Many different factors will determine how serious a crack is. These include the size and shape of the crack, as well as its location. In general if the cracks on your ceiling are small and thin, then usually it is not something you should worry about too much. However, if they are rather large and wide, you could have a more serious problem at hand. Here are the different causes of ceiling cracks, how to identify them and what repairs will be needed to fix them:

Cracks Caused By Age

Do you live in an old house? Is the plaster on the ceiling beginning to crumble or form web-like cracks? If so, your ceiling problems could very well be caused by nothing more than age. The bad news is, there is a good chance you are going to need to replace some of the ceiling materials (like re-plastering if you have a plaster ceiling). The good news? While aging itself might cause multiple home maintenance issues, your ceiling crack is independent of any others. It is not a sign of any deeper structural issue.

Cracks Caused By Fluctuating Humidity

Changes in humidity can cause plaster to expand or contract. This stress can cause small cracks to form in the plaster. These cracks are generally hairline cracks that occur along the edges where the ceiling meets the walls or near vents or registers.

Like most hairline cracks, these aren't structural in nature and don't signal larger problems.

Drywall Problems

Generally straight, lengthy cracks in your home's ceiling would be a cause for concern. But before you jump to conclusions, check to see if the crack follows a drywall seam in the ceiling. If so, the issue could be nothing more than issues with the drywall taping or other parts of the installation process. While needing to re-tape, mud, sand and paint a drywall ceiling is not fun, it beats dealing with foundation problems in your home.

Cracks Caused By Water Leaks

These are among the easiest to spot, with water stains or discoloration common around the crack. The water from the leak has weakened the ceiling materials, causing them to crack. This can become a very serious problem if the leak itself is not fixed. Whether the cause is a leaky pipe running between floors or a leaky roof, it is important to get the leaks fixed so that the problem doesn't persist even after you fix the roof.

Cracks Caused By Overloading

Like any part of a structure, a ceiling is only designed to hold so much weight. If too much weight is placed upon it, it will stress the ceiling and lead to cracking. A tell-tale sign of this cause is sagging in the middle. If you notice cracking accompanied by a sagging ceiling, check what is directly above the ceiling. Has something exceedingly heavy been placed directly above it on the next floor or in the attic? If so, some rearranging is in order along with fixing any structural issues in the ceiling caused by the overloading.

Cracks Caused by Foundation Problems

Here is our specialty. When a foundation shifts or settles, it throws the house out of alignment. That places stress on the structural components of the home, from the floor to the walls to the ceiling.

This will cause cracking, especially near walls, windows or doors. The cracked will generally be jagged or diagonal and even if they start out as hairline cracks, they likely won't stay that way for long.

Foundation problems aren't the only reason that cracks will grow and widen over time. Any cracks caused by ongoing problem such as leaks or overloading will expand as well. It is the one that doesn't have a clear other cause.

You might also begin to notice other signs of foundation failure such as wall cracks or sticking doors or windows.

Do You Suspect Your Ceiling Cracks Are Caused By Foundation Problems? Call Foundations on the Level

If you have discovered concerning cracks in your ceiling and live within our Southern California service area, be sure to call Foundations on the Level today. We have the expertise, fantastic equipment, and unbeatable products that you need to repair your foundation and get it back into good shape.