extensuive crack across bedroom ceiling.

[xpatock]

Probably covered in the past, but I can't find a thread that matches..

Basic problem is there is a long crack which has developed in my daughters bedroom. which runs straight across the ceiling and does a 90 degree turn to run into the chimney/fireplace. This has got substantially worse of late, but I only just noticed as I am never in the room and she is abroad improving her education...

The loft above is floored, and the front bedroom has no cracks, but the stairwell shows a small hairline crack in the ceiling which is in line with the one in the bedroom. The loft is used for storage. but not to any great extent and anything with any obvious weight in it has been placed over a weight bearing wall. The area where the crack has developed has very little load over it.

Question is; is this something serious, or something that I could cover up with some specialist stuff from Homebase or B&Q??

 

[DSA]

In my opinion, there is not enough information here to diagnose the fault with any certainty.

Are you able to post some pictures of the cracks? What age is the property and when did you first notice the cracks? Has the ceiling been recently decorated? Can you see any cracks in the walls? What width are the cracks (in mm)? Roughly how long has it taken to get "substantially worse"?

Answers to these questions will no doubt prove very useful.

 

[^woody^]

This seems like a common crack along the board joints due to some thermal or natural movement of the joists. Nothing to worry about

 

[roughcaster]

Yep, i'm with Woody,,, it's a crack following along the joint in the plasterboard. Fire some extra screws through the plasterboard into the joists. That will help if there's any movement in the sheets. After that, get the cracks taped over,,, sanded down,,, give the ceiling a coat of paint, and hopefully, that should take care of it.

Roughcaster.

 

[xpatock]

In my opinion, there is not enough information here to diagnose the fault with any certainty.

Are you able to post some pictures of the cracks? What age is the property and when did you first notice the cracks? Has the ceiling been recently decorated? Can you see any cracks in the walls? What width are the cracks (in mm)? Roughly how long has it taken to get "substantially worse"?

Answers to these questions will no doubt prove very useful.

Should be able to get some pics by tomorrow. For info though. This is a Georgian (circa 1910) mid-terrace, not so sure about the ages of the roof-beams/ceiling, but some loft flooring was put down about 5 yrs ago just before we moved in.

No cracks in the walls whatsoever, crack has been there for some time but over the past month or so (not sure exactly as I've been working away) it has extended a mite and become more pronounced (the artex is peeling away).

 

[^woody^]

Spring is the main time for thermal cracking as temperature and humidity changes.

 

[Shytalkz]

Oh that's alright then, it's *never* an indication of incipient movement...

 

[^woody^]

The OP's post does actually contain a lot of information, and from that the most likely diagnosis which will be possible without actually seeing the property, is that it is nothing more than board joint cracks due to natural/seasonal movement, and lack of use of the bedroom.

Yes it could even be the related to the big willow tree in the neighbours garden, or a leak around the chimney flashing, or vibration from the nearby by-pass ..... lots of things - none of which are at the top of the list though

 

[Shytalkz]

I don't disagree with you, but it's not possible, from the info given, to state which way to go with any certainty. Just as it could be nothing, so it could be the start of something. Onr thing it most definitely isn't, at this point in time, is serious.