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What Causes Ceiling Cracks? 7 Reasons Your Ceiling May Be Cracking
Take a crack at diagnosing your ceiling damage
Photo: Sinenkiy / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
Photo: Sinenkiy / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
Highlights
Ceiling cracks may appear as your home ages, simply due to shifting over time.
Larger cracks can indicate structural issues, like a problem with your foundation.
When sagging and discoloration accompany a ceiling crack, that usually means water damage.
Other causes of ceiling cracks include roof truss uplift, a heavy floor, and recurring vibrations.
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No house stays perfect forever. Over time, houses take on minor cosmetic damage, but issues with the foundation, sudden water damage, poor construction, and other changes over time may lead to more serious problems, including large cracks in your ceiling.
Below, we’ll cover what causes ceiling cracks—and when it’s a serious concern.
1. An Aging House
Getting older isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. One of the most common causes of ceiling cracks is simply an aging house. Over time, things naturally move and shift, and your foundation naturally settles.
Most cracks related to general wear and tear are small, hairline cracks. Though cracks caused by aging are to be expected, they can still be cause for concern if the cracks are large or growing at an alarming rate. You can hire a local structural engineer to do a thorough inspection if you’re not sure when to worry about ceiling cracks.
2. Foundation Issues
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Mild foundation settling is not cause for concern, but large ceiling cracks can be one of the early warning signs of foundation issues. Foundation problems can be serious and more expensive to fix the longer you wait; on average, foundation repair costs between $2,225 and $8,125.
3. Roof Truss Uplift
Your roof’s trusses are theoretically designed to withstand the expansion and contraction that comes with changing temperatures. However, their flexibility only goes so far; in extreme temperatures (hot or cold) and humidity, your roof trusses could pull away, causing the ceiling drywall to split away from the walls.
A common sign of this issue is a drywall crack in the ceiling seam. You can start with a drywall repair contractor to take care of the cracks, but you may need to find a local roofer to resolve the larger issue.
4. Water Damage
Cracks that accompany a sagging ceiling may be a sign of water damage; discoloration is another common indicator. In this case, you may have a roof leak or leaking pipe. Depending on the cause, you may need to hire a roofer or a plumber in addition to your local ceiling repair contractor.
And if the water damage is severe, you’ll need to call in a local water damage restoration company, and maybe even a mold remediation company. Mold remediation costs between $1,225 and $3,750, depending on the severity of the problem.
5. Poor Construction
It’s very possible that the cause of the ceiling crack is simply poor construction when the wall and ceiling were built. If the drywall contractor doesn’t properly tape the joints, for instance, the drywall may crack as the tape comes loose. You’ll need to find a local drywall contractor to make repairs.
6. Too Much Weight Above
If there’s another floor above your ceiling, it’s possible that it’s too heavy and doesn’t have the proper support. This is common in bathrooms with heavy fixtures, but it may also be a problem if you have heavy laundry appliances on the second floor or use your attic to store heavy items.
7. Vibrations
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Believe it or not, recurring vibrations from heavy machinery or nearby traffic, particularly if you live on a busy road or near a highway, can lead to ceiling cracks over time.
Vibration is more likely to cause hairline cracks, rather than other, larger types of ceiling cracks. You don’t need to worry about these, but they’re easy to repair.
Larger cracks from heavy vibrations, like following an earthquake, should absolutely be repaired.
Ceiling Cracks: When to Worry and When It’s Not a Big Deal
Minor ceiling cracks are nothing to worry about, but more prominent or sudden ceiling cracks could indicate a more pressing problem. Here’s when to worry about ceiling cracks:
If the ceiling is sagging or discolored: That’s a common indication of water damage.
If the crack is large and travels down the ceiling: This usually indicates a structural issue.
If there are a lot of ceiling cracks, and they showed up quickly: You may have a new structural problem in your home.
Photos: Andrei310 / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images, Thurtell / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images, yalcinsonat1 / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
Frequently Asked Questions
Wondering who to call for ceiling repair? While you can hire a handyperson to fix minor cracks, you’ll want to hire a drywall professional for larger issues. Depending on the cause of the crack, you may need to hire other contractors, such as a foundation contractor, mold remediation company, roofer, or plumber near you.
While you should consult with a ceiling professional for larger cracks, especially if you’re not sure what’s causing your ceiling to crack, you can certainly try to repair small cracks on your own. If you’re up for the task, here’s how to repair ceiling cracks for $150 or less.
The best way to determine if ceiling cracks are structural is to hire a ceiling contractor to inspect the cracks and provide a professional opinion. That said, you might be able to make an educated guess based on the size and appearance of the crack. Larger cracks, cracks accompanied by sagging or discoloration, and cracks that travel from the ceiling down the walls are all signs of structural issues.
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