Wall above stairs bulges

[Qwerty32]

Hi we seem to have a bulge in the wall above the stairs. Not sure tbh how long it has been there or if I have just not noticed it before. Is this a problem? Is it blown plaster? Appreciate if anyone can help.

 

[KenGMac]

Qwerty32, good evening

Looks very much like a crack in a Lath and Plaster wall??

How old is the property?

Is the wall internal or not?

Ken.

 

[Qwerty32]

Hi yeah it’s an internal wall. It is the wall that is between the downstairs and up stairs. Behind it is a bedroom. It’s a 1930s semi.

 

[Chivas69]

Has it ever had a dado rail?

 

[KenGMac]

Is the crack somewhere near the upper floor level?

 

[big-all]

in my house there i have the same situation where a wall it put in through the centre bedroom making a hallway but they left it with architraves on the arch
now if i removed the architrave you need to leave the door lining in place at the head to support above it so would probably look similar to that as a bodge plastering or filling in possibly with plasterboard around the wood then lining paper to cover the bodge

 

[Qwerty32]

It’s the wall you see as you walk down the stairs. Don’t think it has had a dado rail. I have taken a picture of it from downstairs looking up if that helps. Is it anything to worry about does anyone know? Thank you for al lathe replies so far.

 

[Chivas69]

I think it could be a crack in the wall that someone has once "fixed" but not sanded it level.
Is it a cupboard behind it that may have had a boiler or a hot water tank in it?
Are you planning on redecorating or just concerned? If redecorating I think it would be quite easy to rectify. Is it hard like cement to touch?

 

[Qwerty32]

Behind it is a bedroom. No boiler as that’s downstairs and bathroom is opposite side of the house. There is an attic above it. Just concerned at the moment, will redecorate eventually but was just wondering if it was something structural or something to worry about. You google cracks in walls and the worst comes up. Lived here 4 years and haven’t noticed it but it doesn’t mean it hasn’t always been there.

 

[Chivas69]

I don't think it's anything to worry about. Is it hard to the touch or crumbly?

 

[Qwerty32]

Hard to touch. Don’t really feel any movement in it.

 

[Chivas69]

I think it's a crack fix someone has done before papering and left it proud. If you ever change the paper you could sand it down then. In the meantime just keep an eye on it to see if it changes.

 

[Qwerty32]

Okay will do. Thank you, really appreciate it.

 

[pcaouolte]

I would guess that there is a timber joist supporting the bottom of the wall which has been covered with plasterboard. the timber expands and contracts slightly as it's moisture content varies and causes exactly the effect that you are seeing. If its all solid then I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[JohnD]

Hi we seem to have a bulge in the wall above the stairs. Not sure tbh how long it has been there or if I have just not noticed it before. Is this a problem? Is it blown plaster? Appreciate if anyone can help.

Can't tell without seeing the scale and how high up it is. Stand back and take a wider pic please.

Is it where the skirting used to be?