Should I be worried a out this hairline crack?

[DaisyDoor123]

I just moved into a new property 2 months ago. I've just started noticing all the imperfections the property has. On my upstairs landing there is a horizontal crack either side of the loft hatch that runs down one side of the wall. The wall is plasterboard as are the adjoining walls. The wall the crack travels slightly down is neighbors side (property is semi detached).

I know most hairline cracks are cosmetic due to heat expansion or the plaster tape going etc but just find it strange that ceiling crack runs down the wall a little. Is this just a cosmetic issue or a bigger concern?

Thanks for your help in advance.

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

I'd definitely swap my crack collection for yours! It doesn't look like a problem to me.

Is it timber-framed or block?

Solid plaster or dry-lined? e.g. does it sound hollow or solid if you tap it?

 

[DaisyDoor123]

Thanks for responding. Really appreciate it. It sounds hollow when I tap the plasterboard but it's 1980s with cavity walls so pretty sure it's brick and block with dry wall.

So is this purely cosmetic? If so, I will get someone out to sort. Thanks again in advance.

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

For the ceiling, look from the loft above. It's probably a plasterboard joint that's not on a joist. Plus the access hatch will make this area a bit more prone to movement than the rest. Add more timber above so something spans the joint then add a good number of plasterboard screws along each side of the crack to make it all solid. Rake out the crack to form a deep groove then fill it and the screwheads, with a bit of artistry to match the artex.

There's a risk that the existing 1980s artex could contain asbestos. The rounded peaks suggest not - when it contained asbestos it was much spikier in appearance. But this is definitely not certain, find an online testing company and send a sample off before doing anything. The results will tell you just how careful you need to be about containing and removing the dust.

I'd probably just rake out and fill the wall joint. It's probably got dragged along by the ceiling movement. If it cracks after filling then look again at it, it might need more support behind it.