Cracks between Walls & Ceiling

[Kossie]

On the first floor of our house we have cracks that appear where the ceiling plaster board meets the tops of the walls. I fill them and decorate but they gradually open up again. The house is only 18 years old and is otherwise sound. Can anyone suggest a cause and how I might deal with it more permanently.
Many thanks,

Colin

 

[mildmanneredjanitor]

What are you filling with?

If it is something like polyfilla, it may not be flexble enough.

Is the wall a stud wall? (wooden frame, covered with plasterboard - they sound hollow).

If so, it's probably just the whole lot moving about. You could try decoratoring caulk, which is far more flexible and will allow more movement.

Alternatively, you could fit coving...

 

[Building Contractor]

If it is cracking at the top where the plaster meets the ceiling, its probably due to noggins been omitted from the floor joists that allow you to nail the plaster board close up to the brick/studwall. The only long term remedy would be to insert noggins from the floor above and re-nail.

 

[Kossie]

I expect you are right - now I just need to find out what a noggin is - Google here I come!

 

[breezer]

a noggin is basically a piece of wood fixed between two other pieces of wood (at right angles to the two that are parlell) , for the purpose of fixing something to it.

an electricn would put one in between two ceiling joists to fix a lamp to.


a noggin should also not be confused with a kids story about noggin the nog

 

[jelly]

I had the same problem when i had my extension built.I can use decorators filler.But there is a more flexible filler that i have used designed for movement in walls and ceilings.Can't remember who make it now.Unibond i think.Anyway just go to a DIY store and look for the specialist fillers/sealant in a tube (the ones you use with a sealant gun) and it will be there.

 

[Kossie]

Thanks Jelly, I will look out for it although now I think it is a noggin problem, I may opt for coving and do a proper job. Thank you all for your advice. Kossie

 

[masona]

we have cracks that appear where the ceiling plaster board meets the tops of the walls.

The problem is timber expanding to difference heat temperature, you can keep filling in with filler which will take time to settle down or put up coving which will be the quickest.

 

[jelly]

Not everyone likes coving.I've removed all my coving and had the walls and ceiling plastered and got rid of that horrible artex as well.
I've had no problems.

 

[masona]

I've had no problems.

But some people do !