Find out what causes ceiling cracks, including general wear and tear, water damage, roof truss uplift, and issues with your foundation.
7 Types of Ceiling Cracks to Look Out For
Take a crack at identifying your ceiling’s fine lines
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Straight line cracks in the ceiling often appear along drywall seams when your installer didn't use enough joint compound during construction.
Ceiling crack repairs cost $500 to $1,300 on average, so addressing structural cracks early helps you avoid higher costs down the road.
Your ceiling needs immediate attention when you spot sagging, discoloration, or cracks wider than 1/8 inch paired with uneven floors or sticking doors.
Hiring a local ceiling repair professional provides reliable support for diagnosing structural damage and completing repairs before small cracks turn into bigger problems.
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Ceiling cracks aren’t just an eyesore—they can also be a sign of serious structural damage. Whether or not you need to take action depends on what’s causing the ceiling cracks in your home. Use this guide to the seven most common types of ceiling cracks to help you determine when you should hire a professional and when you can simply give your home a new coat of paint.
1. Hairline Cracks
Photo: Wongsakorn Napaeng / iStock / Getty Images
Hairline cracks are thin, resembling hair, and appear when temperatures or humidity levels fluctuate drastically. When this happens, the plaster swells or shrinks, resulting in harmless cosmetic cracks. You can easily cover this up with a fresh coat of paint, but remove flaky, old paint first to prevent hairline cracks from reappearing prematurely, as old paint can also contribute to hairline cracks.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Fine, uneven, surface-level |
| Harm level | Minimal |
| Location | Walls and ceilings |
2. Straight Cracks
If you see straight cracks, there’s a good chance that the drywall was applied incorrectly during construction. If the installer didn’t use enough drywall plaster, then the drywall tape won’t adhere correctly, resulting in ceiling cracks along drywall seams—exactly where the drywall tape runs along the joints.
Although unsightly, straight cracks are another cosmetic issue that everyday DIYers can address themselves. Repairing ceiling cracks starts with cleaning the area, injecting joint compound beneath the loose drywall tape, and repainting the ceiling.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Single, straight crack |
| Harm level | Minimal |
| Location | Drywall tape edges |
3. Discolored Cracks
When yellow or brown discoloration accompanies your ceiling cracks, that means trouble—water damage trouble, to be precise. Discolored cracks can appear near plumbing via leaks and roofing or gutter problems. Though discoloration isn’t a direct sign of severe structural problems, if left untreated, leaks can cause serious and costly damage.
You’ll want to know who to call for a ceiling repair where there’s water damage. Hire a local plumber to handle leaks, and then follow up with a ceiling contractor to repair this type of ceiling crack.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Yellow or brown cracks |
| Harm level | Moderate to extreme |
| Location | Anywhere leaks can occur |
4. Spiderweb Cracks
Much like, well—a spiderweb—spiderweb cracks resemble webs, with one focal crack and several others leading away from the main crack. These types of ceiling cracks can vary in size and severity. Smaller cracks may be cosmetic or a sign of inferior workmanship.
For instance, if the person who applied the drywall to your home used too much, the drywall can crack from temperature and humidity fluctuations. Larger spiderweb cracks can signify a structural issue, such as foundation settling.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Spiderweb-like cracks |
| Harm level | Mild to moderate |
| Location | Walls and ceilings |
5. Cracks Between the Wall and Ceiling
Photo: Grace Cary / Moment / Getty Images
Two types of cracks can occur between the wall and the ceiling. One is a crack that starts on the ceiling and stops at the wall. The other is a crack that runs from the ceiling down the wall. If you have the latter, then there’s a chance your home has structural damage, called truss uplift, that requires prompt attention. This is where your roof trusses shift due to changes in temperature or humidity. Fixing truss uplift is not a DIY project and can’t be solved with a simple coat of paint. It requires a pro to climb into the attic and disconnect the trusses from the interior walls.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Long cracks that vary in size |
| Harm level | Moderate to severe |
| Location | Between the wall and the ceiling |
6. Large Cracks
Large cracks of any kind usually mean structural damage—especially if they’re accompanied by sagging. In the case of sagging, this is a major warning sign of ceiling collapse. You should contact a local ceiling repair company pronto if you have ceiling cracks larger than 1/8th of an inch to rule out structural problems. Ceiling repair costs for cracks that aren’t cosmetic fall between $500 and $1,300 on average.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Wider than 1/8 inch |
| Harm level | Moderate to severe |
| Location | Ceilings and walls |
7. Sagging Cracks
Sagging ceiling cracks often appear in the center of the ceiling, indicating structural damage. These types of cracks can occur as a result of too much weight on the floor above, but water damage and foundation settling can also contribute to the sagging of ceiling cracks. Generally speaking, the larger the cracks, the worse the damage.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Large, sagging cracks |
| Harm level | Severe |
| Location | Center of the ceiling |
Tips for Identifying Serious Ceiling Crack Problems
Not all ceiling cracks are the same in terms of severity. It’s important to know the signs of a more serious problem before you take out your paint supplies and simply paint over the cracks. Here are signs that your ceiling cracks are the result of a structural issue:
Your doors and windows stick or close too easily.
The floors are uneven and sloped.
You see cracks in your flooring that cross multiple tiles or planks.
The walls appear bowed.
The moldings in your home are also cracked or displaced.
There are patio, stairway, chimney, garage, and/or driveway cracks.
Your home’s exterior masonry contains cracks.
There’s water in the basement.
Don’t wait for cracks to worsen. If you notice any of these signs coinciding with ceiling cracks of any type, contact a ceiling repair pro near you right away to get to the underlying cause.
Plaster repairs reviews from real Angi homeowners in Columbus, OH
4.9★ avg. • 21 total reviews
- Julio V.
Positive experience. As previously stated, the replacement/repair could not be completed (no fault of the plumbing tech) b/c misinformation was rec?d by property management maintenance. Thanks to the plumbing tech for your efforts. Appreciate you!
The Waterworks - Brent C.
Carpet repair done well. Scheduling was easy. Showed up on time.
BR Flooring Installation - Austin Y.
I would recommend this company to anyone! He showed up on time, was friendly, completed a very difficult repair on our dryer vent cover, was responsive, and pricing was extremely fair and competitive. I would have him back to do any of our repairs or cleanings without hesitation!
U.S.A. Dryer Vent, LLC - Micki B.
Everything from initial contact to completion was absolutely top notch. We contacted the business during off hours to leave a message, and the owner still reached out to feel out the issue within minutes. We were scheduled and repaired within 48 hours. I cannot say enough about the...
Supreme brick & chimney - Donald L.
Ace Fireplace Services came to the rescue for my chimney repair. They were quick to pinpoint the issue and worked their magic to fix it. My chimney is now in excellent shape, and I'm a satisfied customer.
Ace Fireplace Services - Nicholas B.
Great experience all together. Dog friendly, courteous, great results and honest with recommendations. Will certainly be using Cardinal in the future for any carpet repairs
Cardinal Carpet Care & Repair - Michael H.
Description says they handle window repair including rotten hardwood - they called me back right away but didnâ t leave a voicemail. I followed up 3 days later and they said they donâ t do that kind of work.
Window-Gurus - Diane C.
Very good experience. He even moved things around in my bedroom to get to the wall. I would highly recommend him for plaster. I plan to have him come back.
Peter J Grady - Paul C.
Great guys. Spend a lot of time repairing and prepping our walls before doing the new paint. Home looks great now.
- Pantelhs V.
They did an excellent job with the repair, took care of all communication with the insurance company and had car rental service also with a very reliable, quality care
Three C Body Shop
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