Cracks on your house, especially on the walls and ceiling, can be freaking and make you think of an imaginable. The crack can result from structural damage, which requires quick intervention.
If it’s a small crack that your hand can’t fit through, you can fix it. The method you’ll use to fix this depends on the material the surfaces are made of. For example, if it’s a plaster wall, you will use a different process from when it’s drywall. When fixing the crack, you need to ensure enough safety measures to avoid casualties.
Learn more about cracks on your ceiling wall and what you can do about them.
Cracks In Walls and Ceilings When to Worry
Even though it’s uncommon for walls and ceilings in well-maintained houses to have cracks, it’s prone to happen. But this doesn’t mean that all cracks are worth raising the alarm as some are harmless. The instances when you should worry when there are cracks in walls and ceiling is when;
Larger Drywall Cracks
If you see a larger crack on your drywall that’s bigger than hairline width, you’ve got to worry. The crack can imply there is a problem with the foundation, and you should call a structural engineer to check on it.
Several Cracks in Different Points Within a Wall
You should also be worried when there is more than one crack on the same wall or ceiling. The cracks make the surface weaker and require quick action.
Large Cracks with Sagging Walls
When your ceiling is sagging or bowed, you also need to take quick steps, as this is a sight to worry about. the sagging with large cracks can result from the heavyweight ceiling or loose beams and joists that hold the ceiling in place. It indicates a damaged framework, requiring urgent intervention by professionals.
Mold Growth
You should also worry about mold growth on the walls or ceiling. If the wall or ceiling is discolored and retains water after rain, you can know this. As you know, mold is dangerous to your family members’ health and can cause serious breathing problems. To avoid this, it’s better to solve the root cause than spend more money on medical bills.
Wider Spiderweb Like Cracks
Also, when the spiderweb-like cracks on ceilings are more than 1/8 inc,h you need to take quick action. Look at its root cause and solve it before it becomes a serious structural issue.
Other Reasons That Should Make You Worry
- Cracks caused by gaps between walls and ceilings
- Cracks on the walls that run from the door or window edge way up to the ceiling.
- Horizontal cracks from the interior walls to the ceiling
How To Determine When the Cracks on The Walls and Ceiling Are Serious?
In some instances, the cracks might be invisible but more dangerous. In such a case, you need to look at other possibilities indicating structural damage in the house. You should look out for;
- Sticky windows and doors
- Uneven and sloppy or sagging floors
- Walls not in contact with floor or ceiling
- Wall rotation
- Moldings that are out of place
- Water in your basement
- Chimneys or porches separated from the building
Types Of Ceiling Cracks
There are different types of ceiling cracks you should look out for and prepare the right ways to tackle them. The ceiling cracks include;
Straight Ceiling Cracks
One of the popular types of ceiling cracks you might have come across is the straight ceiling crack. These cracks follow the straight edge of drywall tape hence its name. It mainly results from less plaster application when installing drywall, making the drywall tape weak. You can contact an expert to paint and patch the errors and have a crack-less ceiling.
Spiderweb Ceiling Cracks
This kind of ceiling crack takes the spiderweb pattern and signifies foundation settlement. It occurs when an uneven settlement exerts pressure on the house foundation and then transfers the pressure to the drywall and the house framing. If the spiderweb cracking is less than 1/8, it’s not something to worry about.
Hairline Ceiling Cracks
These are tiny thin cracks on the ceiling that appears as if someone painted hair onto the drywall. It results from plaster or drywall mud problems because of extreme changes in temperature or humidity. The plaster will keep expanding and shrinking when there is a temperature or humidity. This affects the adhesive properties of drywall mud.
Furthermore, this issue can be because you painted several paint layers on the ceiling. However, the hairline ceiling cracks are not worth worrying about, as you can clear them off by applying another layer of paint. Then ensure there are better ways to control temperature and humidity in your house.
Cracks Between Ceiling and Wall
When you notice a crack between the ceiling and wall, it’s because of truss uplift. Trusses are the roof and ceiling frame, which determines their shape. The ceiling trusses should be flexible and capable of withstanding temperature and humidity changes. But when there is extreme temperature or humidity change, they can pull away from the ceiling, creating cracks. You should call a professional to handle it as it’s a serious crack.
Brown Or Yellow Ceiling Cracks
Another type of ceiling crack you are likely to encounter is the yellow crack. The cracks are because of water damage from a leaking pipe or roof. The leakage can dampen the wall, but it’s not a serious concern. You should check the source of the leakage and work on it before repairing the drywall. However, you need to know that the yellow ceiling cracks can lead to mold growth.
Bowed Ceiling and Large Cracks
If you notice your ceiling has larger bowed cracks, it signifies structural damage. It could be because of excess water leakage, foundation settlement, or overweight floor above the ceiling. If it’s because of foundation settlement, it will put more pressure above the ceiling, making it crack.
Bottom Line
Cracks are common in old uncared-for houses, and some can sign a serious underlying problem. So, when you notice any bigger cracks on your walls or ceilings, you should take quick action. But understand each type of crack and know which one is harmful before taking any actions.
