In This Post:
– Types of ceiling cracks
– How to fix ceiling cracks
Your house is a huge investment. That is why any small crack in the ceiling or sign of peeling paint or any tile coming off the floor can be a source of concern. After all you have spent your life’s savings and hard-earned money in constructing your dream home. You don’t want to see your house showing up any defects. Even if you have done your best in choosing quality construction materials, you might see some visible cracks in the wall or ceiling, a few years down the line. However, not all cracks in the ceiling should worry you. In this blog, we will discuss the types of ceiling cracks and how to fix cracks in the ceiling.
So, without further ado, let’s get started.
Let us first quickly understand the types of cracks in the ceiling and what causes these cracks before we explore the remedy part.
Types of Ceiling Cracks
All man-made concrete structures are susceptible to cracks as they age. Just like wrinkles on the skin show old age, similarly cracks show that the property is an old one. However, at times there are other factors at play. Let us take a look at the ways you can determine if the crack in your ceiling is something to worry about.
Structural Cracks
These cracks reflect structural problems with the building. Is your roof sagging from the centre? Do you feel that your ceiling would just fall if there is heavy rainfall? Is there a big crack running through the centre of your ceiling continuing down the wall of the house? If the answer to all of the questions posed above is a yes, then the ceiling of your house is facing a structural crack and should be repaired immediately to avoid any mishap or accident.
Another thing that helps differentiate between a structural and an aesthetic crack is if the crack in the wall is 1/16th inch wide then this means that it is a structural crack. If the cracks appear towards the edges of the ceiling then it is not of much concern as it is not a structural crack. For structural cracks, you need to call an expert who can take a good look at the crack and fix it accordingly. If you still want to repair a structural crack in the ceiling on your own, then you should inject your cracks with an epoxy and urethane material to seal them.
Aesthetic Cracks
These cracks are superficial in nature and don’t run down the structure of the building. It usually appears on the sides of the ceiling and is not 1/16 inch deep. This is a general guideline in order to identify the types of ceiling cracks.
Factors that Contribute to Cracks in the Ceiling
Some of the common factors that result in ceiling cracks are mentioned below:
- High moisture
- Temperature fluctuations in day and night
- Heavy rainfall or storm
- Movement of the house because of wind
- Age of the house
- Load on the house
Let us now take a closer look at how to fix these cracks in the ceiling.
How to Fix Cracks in the Ceiling
To repair ceiling cracks, you must know the kind of cracks in the ceiling and the possible ways to fix them. Let us take a look:
Discoloured crack
If the crack in the ceiling is discoloured, it shows a possible leak in the roof. The leak can occur from an overhead water tank that can trickle between the panels of ceiling’s drywalls. This causes the joint tape to loosen a bit, creating the crack, leaving brown stains on the ceiling. When you decide to repair the ceiling, make sure you have also repaired the overhead tank to avoid the same problem occurring again.
Remedy: Remove the loose tape and re-tape the joint with a paper tape. If your ceiling is a textured one, then buy the relevant aerosol spray for the textured product to cover up cracks in the ceiling so that it blends with the ceiling’s paint.
You might have to replace the drywall if the leak in the ceiling is an old one. If the drywall is swollen or softened, then the damaged section of the drywall must be replaced before you start re-taping the joint.
Spider web cracks
If spider web cracks appear on the ceiling, it shows that the drywall compound applied on the ceiling was too thick and when it dried, it caused spider-web-like cracks in the ceiling because the drywall compound shrinks when it dries up.
Remedy: Here’s how you can fix cracks in the ceiling: Using a sandpaper, even out the crack and remove all the existing texture. Apply a new drywall compound to the ceiling and let it dry.
Straight ceiling crack
If the labourer uses insufficient amounts of drywall compound when taping the joint in the ceiling, the tape will not adhere well to the joint. You will see a straight crack along the tape joint.
Remedy: This requires a quick fix. Apply some drywall compound along the tape joint to allow it to adhere it to the drywall.
Plaster ceiling cracks
Movement in a house can cause plaster ceiling cracks. They can also occur due to day and night temperature fluctuations or the rise or fall of moisture levels which can change the contraction of the framing structure.
Remedy: Homeowners can fix these commonly occurring hairline cracks in the ceiling by applying a new layer of the plaster and then repainting the ceiling. If you see sections of plaster being loose then it is quite likely that the system below the plaster is not ok and must be completely removed. It can be replaced with drywall.
So, these were some of the best ways to fill the cracks in the ceiling. If there are structural damages to your ceiling, then you must hire an expert to look into the issue. If you want to know the advantages and disadvantages of having a false ceiling, then take a look at these pros and cons of having a false ceiling. You should also take a look at how to fix walls with peeling paint. Don’t forget to write to us at blog@zameen.com and we will surely get back to you. Keep visiting Zameen Blog for regular updates. Subscribe to Zameen Newsletter appearing on the right hand side of the page. Follow our social media pages to stay updated on the recent construction and property trends in Pakistan.
