Ceiling cracks become more of a “red flag” if there are other signs that the house may have movement or structural problems A crack that is 1/8 inch wide and only two feet long in a corner will not be given as much weight as a ceiling with 1/4 inch wide cracks, three or five feet long and that appear in a number of locations. Cracks that are 1/8 or 1/4 of an inch wide or more would easily fall into this category. Wide cracks and areas that have a number of cracksĬeilings that have multiple cracks that are more than just a small hairline crack are a concern. This type of crack generally would be considered a “red flag”, depending on width, length, and location. a foundation or framing issue.Ĭeiling cracks running diagonally across the ceilingĪ crack (of a 16th of an inch or larger) that runs at a diagonal angle through a sheet(s) of drywall requires a lot of force to create this crack.
This type of crack suggests that there may be a structural issue i.e. A higher level of concern with ceiling cracks occurs when:Ī crack is continuous through the wall and ceilingĬracks that run across the ceiling to the wall and then down on the wall, basically a continuous crack going through the ceiling and the wall, may be a concern. Generally, these cracks are not considered to be a structural concern and may even open up and close somewhat depending on the season. The cracks will typically appear on walls that are perpendicular to the direction that the trusses run. Truss uplift cracks are normally noted on interior walls, not exterior walls. This is common and most homes are engineered to handle movement due to truss uplift. These fluctuations and changes may result in the trusses moving or shifting a little. Roof trusses tend to move a little when there is a seasonal change of temperature or humidity. Thus, stress is placed on the drywall and cracks develop.Ĭracks that appear where a ceiling intersects a wall may be due to “truss uplift”. Occasionally, a ceiling joist or a truss becomes damaged or cracked, this weakens the framing member and the ceiling will bow or sag in one or more areas. When the ceiling joists or trusses are undersized for the drywall ceiling weight that they are carrying, then sagging may result and the stress from this may create cracks. If the ceiling joists or trusses supporting the ceiling drywall are spaced too far apart, then sagging may result and the stress from this may create cracks. If a ceiling is bowed, sagging, or dropped down, then the reason may relate to structural issues. This is insignificant for structural concerns and is instead evidence of poor workmanship. Usually, the crack will be very straight because it is following the straight edge of the tape at a drywall joint. When the drywaller taped the joint they did not use enough mud and this can result in shrinkage cracks along the tape lines. These types of cracks are merely the result of poor workmanship.Ĭracks that appear at the side of drywall joint tape are usually caused by improper mud application during the installation. When too much water is added in order to thin the mud prior to application, small hairline cracks may also occur. If the drywall joint compound is put on in one or more coats that are too thick then when the mud dries, it shrinks, creating hairline spider or crazing type cracks. Drywall tape is used as well as drywall joint compound, often called drywall “mud”. Spiderweb or hairline type cracks due to drywall mud issuesĪt drywall joints where two pieces of drywall butt up to one another, drywall installers tape the joint areas. These lower coats tend to crack first and then the cracks work their way up to the topcoat, thus patterns of thin cracks develop in the topcoat of the paint. The layer(s) under the topcoat get brittle over time and expand and contract due to thermal and moisture changes differently than the more flexible topcoat. When repeated coats of paint are applied over other coats, then over a period of years, the chances of crazing (a pattern or network of hairline/ fine cracks) or alligatoring (a pattern similar to the reptiles scaly skin) cracking increases. Hairline type of spiderweb cracks due to paint issues Major track builders know that they will get a number of calls about these cracks in the first year or two and just consider it part of the construction business. Also, the wood framing lumber usually drys out some which causes the studs, joists, and rafters to twist or bow slightly. One of the common reasons for this is that many homes will settle a little in the first year or two. New homes will often develop a few cracks in the first year or two, but most of them will be at door and window corners or at the areas where the walls meet the ceilings, rather than on the ceiling itself.
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