What Causes Cracks In Walls And Ceilings

We explore which cracks are cause for concern.

What causes cracks in walls and ceilings.

Ceiling cracks that run across the ceiling to the wall and then downward on the wall. Small cracks located above interior windows or doors are usually harmless. Leaky windows and roofs can cause moisture to get into your home s walls. Ceiling cracks accompanied by wall cracks could be the result of the house settling.

This causes the drywall to get wet soften and deteriorate which then leads to cracking. Long horizontal cracks that extend along the joints where interior partition walls and upstairs ceilings connect generally signify roof truss issues which cause ceilings to detach from walls. This type of crack suggest that there may be a structural issue i e. These cracks are serious and require professional attention.

A crack is continuous though the wall and ceiling. This is due to the house not being. Homes naturally settle as they age which can create crevices in the walls and ceilings typically above doors. Cracks in the walls of your home could indicate serious foundation issues but that s not always the case.

If the cracks in your walls are showing discoloration such as brown or yellow tinted stains then the problem may be the result of water damage to your home. Vacation homes and those that sit empty for a few months are prone to developing cracks in both walls and ceilings. Cracks along the line where the ceiling and interior walls meet can be caused by settlement of the floor slab but usually there is a separation between the baseboard and floor first along with stress cracks emanating diagonally from the corners of doors before any ceiling wall crack lines appear. A foundation issue or framing issue.

Cracks that cause concern are those which run across the length of a ceiling and then continue down a wall along the same line. This is a sign of structural damage usually related to a weak wall. Expansion and contraction with hot and cold weather changes along with normal settling can change wall to ceiling alignment and can cause cracks in both these areas. If the crack is vertical and starts near the apex where the wall and ceiling meet it might be a sign that it was created when the foundation settled after construction.