Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    manager54's Avatar
    manager54 Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #1

    May 18, 2009, 05:03 AM
    Cracks in ceiling and walls
    I have lived in my home for 5 years and over the last year have noticed some small cracks appearing in the ceilings and walls. ( built in 1951) The cracks run straight across the across the ceilings and have appeared in similar locations on opposite sides of the house, i.e guest bedroom has crack in same spot as master on other side of stairs. I have also noticed some of the plaster sort of bubbling/cracking in some areas.

    More recently noticed one crack on inside of cellar wall behind washer/dryer.

    Is this a settling situation and something to let go for a bit before patching/repair or something else. And on that note what is the best course of action.
    creahands's Avatar
    creahands Posts: 2,854, Reputation: 195
    Ultra Member
     
    #2

    May 18, 2009, 06:24 AM

    Hi manager

    Are walls S/R or plaster? How long and wide are cracks? Where are cracks located in reference to stairs?

    Let us know and we should be able to help u

    Chuck
    manager54's Avatar
    manager54 Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #3

    May 18, 2009, 04:42 PM

    The walls are all the original plaster, except the bathroom which is drywall. The bathroom was just redone and this is when they really started to show more visibly.

    The crack appear in the stairwell to the basement , around doorways at top of steps and the ones in the bedrooms are on opposite sides of the steps.

    The cracks on top floor are about 2 feet long going from center of ceiling toward front of house. The other cracks run from side to side about 10 feet or so. They are all hairline cracks so I think that to use putty or something similar id have to actually dig them out a bit
    creahands's Avatar
    creahands Posts: 2,854, Reputation: 195
    Ultra Member
     
    #4

    May 18, 2009, 07:05 PM

    To keep cracks from reappearing, u would have to use tape and taping compound.

    Chuck
    manager54's Avatar
    manager54 Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #5

    May 19, 2009, 08:43 AM

    Do you think that this is something severe or is it likely settling?
    And do you think I should wait a bit before proceeding with repair?

    Thanks for the advice
    Brad
    creahands's Avatar
    creahands Posts: 2,854, Reputation: 195
    Ultra Member
     
    #6

    May 19, 2009, 09:09 AM

    Wood is constantly moving. Don't think it is anything serious.

    Chuck
    21boat's Avatar
    21boat Posts: 2,441, Reputation: 212
    Ultra Member
     
    #7

    May 19, 2009, 11:00 PM

    bubbling/cracking in some areas
    Check for a small leak in the ceiling where the Bubble area is . Also check for a weak roof truss where the cracks are.

    Check the basement post/piers under the center of the house. Also any bad gutters and down spouts. The house should have already settled since 1951 unless the ground/foundation conditions has changed in the latter years.

    Just on a way outside chance here are the any water lines under the ground/basement floor? Check for a slow water line leak if there are pipes under the basement floor...

Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions

 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Cracks in walls [ 6 Answers ]

Hi, everyone. Lately I have had cracks in the walls of my bedroom. They begin at the ceiling and slant down to the floor. There are 2 of them. What causes this and how do I fix it? Thanks.

Straight ceiling cracks [ 4 Answers ]

Hi- I have a finished ceiling - it's drywall - that has two straight hairline cracks in it. The cracks begin at the corners of walls and are nearly completely straight. One is about 10' long - the other is the width of the hallway - about three feet long. Again, they both start at the...

Repairing ceiling cracks [ 2 Answers ]

Hi, I have a 3-level house and on the middle level I am getting hairline cracks in the ceiling just in the kitchen and was wondering what the easiest way to fix them myself would be. It is a drywall ceiling and we just moved into the house. It is only 7 years old and I have no clue whether this is...

Cracks where ceiling meets wall [ 4 Answers ]

I moved in 30 years ole house 4 years ago. When I moved in, the house was newly painted. Now I found cracks on paint everywhere. I don't worry about them 'cause it's just cosmetic. However, there's a long line of crack where ceiling meets wall in all three bedrooms upstairs. It's like...

Cracks In Walls [ 5 Answers ]

I been noticing in my drywall long cracks can someone tell me what can that be.


View more questions Search