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Fixing a drywall crack at the wall/ceiling joint will improve the looks as well as the structural soundness of your room. Drywall is a construction panel made from gypsum plaster and thick sheets of paper that is then dried in a kiln. Drywall is easier to install than traditional plaster, and is easier to repair or replace as needed.

• What causes drywall crack at ceiling tape joint? Entire length of joint. A type ceiling meets flat ceiling joint is 14 feet long. Joint is cricket entire length on both edges of.
• Repairing Cracks in Walls The best way to repair a crack in drywall is to re-tape the joint. This involves scraping away the loose tape and crumbled bits of drywall mud, sanding the surface smooth.
• Like death and taxes, there's a certain inevitability about the cracks that happen in plaster walls and ceilings. When a plaster wall or ceiling breaks loose from its wood lath, it has a simple way of letting you know: it cracks. That's why simply filling a crack with spackle joint compound is pointless; it just comes back.

No matter how much you love the home you’re in, being a homeowner can sometimes seem like a thankless task, especially when it comes to property maintenance. Even for those who buy new build homes, there’s probably always seems to be something that needs fixing. Working out whether this ‘something’ is serious or not, and whether you can repair the problem yourself is the trick.

Cracks in walls are a perfect example of this. Houses are always moving, even new builds. This could be due to settling, which you find with all new homes, movements in the soil under the house, or changing humidity levels (amongst other things). When this happens, cracks can appear in drywall, plaster or concrete. In most cases, these cracks are nothing to worry about. In others, however, they could be a sign of structural issues that need fixing quickly.

What cracks in walls might mean?

You are likely to see most cracks in walls when they first appear. However, as not all will be immediately obvious, it’s worth checking in ‘hard to see areas’ such as around door frames or behind furniture regularly. This way, you can fix any potential problems before they get worse (which could end up costing you a lot of money). Where you find the crack and whether the crack is in plaster, drywall or concrete could make all the difference.

Cracks in plaster and drywall

If you see a crack in plaster or drywall, the first thing you need to do is see which direction it runs in. Cracks that are horizontal or vertical are generally a sign of the plaster drying or shrinking. You’ll often see these types of cracks in newer homes or after you’ve had work done and they aren’t really anything to worry about.

If the cracks are jagged, are at 45-degree angles or look like a flight of stairs going up your wall, you probably need to get them checked out. They are probably harmless but could be a sign of structural issues that will need addressing, so it is worth making sure.

Most of the cracks you see in walls will likely be paper thin and anything less than a 1/8” is usually nothing to be concerned about. Cracks wider than this are, again, a sign there could be something wrong structurally.

Where the crack is can also tell you how serious it is. For example, hairline cracks around windows shouldn’t cause problems. However, cracks along joints that connect upstairs ceilings and partition walls could be a sign there are problems with your roof truss, which could end up with walls coming away from ceilings. If you do see cracks in the ceiling, it’s a good idea to check for water leaks too, as these can lead to significant damage if not repaired.

Concrete walls

Whereas vertical lines in plaster or drywall aren’t much to worry about, they could be if your walls are made of concrete. This is because cracks that are vertical or diagonal in concrete could be a sign of issues with your foundation. One of the main things to look for here is whether the crack widens at any point. If you see this, or cracks that look like a staircase, this could mean your house is heaving (where the concrete slab your home is built on starts to rise above its foundation).

Another potential issue that you’ll need professional help with is horizontal cracks, which could mean your home hasn’t been designed correctly and that there has been a build-up of pressure behind the wall. The presence of water is also something that will need immediate attention as this can lead to further damage, even if the initial crack wasn’t that significant.

What to do with cracks

If you small cracks that aren’t serious, you can generally repair these yourself without much trouble. Use a flexible filler (which you can purchase at your local hardware shop) and sand it down to a smooth finish once it’s dry. There are different types of fillers on the market, but one-coat plaster is probably the best for DIY-ers.

If the crack is larger or more significant, may need to get professional advice from a construction company or other expert. This may seem expensive in the short-term but will save you money in the long run because there is much less risk of further damage. Plus, you are more likely to end up with an excellent long-lasting finish, that is well worth paying for.

Do you have cracks in your ceiling? Find out if the cause is simply cosmetic, of if you're facing a structural issue that needs immediate attention.

Photo: istockphoto.com

Q: I just noticed a crack in my ceiling, but I’m not sure how long it’s been there. Is it a normal symptom of an aging house? Or is it an indication that something is dangerously wrong? Should I be worried?

A: Over time, virtually all homes will develop cracks that are cosmetic in nature and not indicative of a larger problem. But some cracks—especially those wider than 1/8-inch—may signal structural issues. Examining the shape, size, and location of the crevice can give insight into possible causes and solutions. Here’s how to deal with cracks in the ceiling, whether they appear in the bedroom, kitchen, basement, or other room of the house.

Causes of Ceiling Cracks—and How to Fix Them

A fine straight ceiling crack could be the result of a poorly taped joint.

If an insufficient amount of drywall mud was used during the taping process, the paper tape won’t adhere well to the joint. As a result, you may notice a straight “crack” along the edge of loosened tape.

Solution: Homeowners can choose to ignore this superficial problem, since it isn’t a structural or safety hazard. You can also minimize the appearance of the crack by applying a small amount of thin drywall compound under the loose tape and re-adhering it to the drywall.

A discolored crack indicates a moisture problem.

Sometimes, water from an overhead leak can trickle between the ceiling’s drywall panels, causing the joint tape to loosen, creating the appearance of a crack, and leaving unsightly yellow or brown stains. Before you can repair the ceiling, determine the cause of the leak and fix it.

Solution: To undo the damage done to the ceiling, scrape off the loose tape and re-tape the joint, either with a drywall repair kit or paper tape and joint compound. If you have a textured ceiling, use an aerosol texture product (found in home improvement stores) to cover the newly re-taped joint so it blends into the ceiling’s existing texture.

Note: Drywall will resist some moisture, but long-term leaks can result in water damage, which requires replacement of the damaged drywall. If the drywall has swollen or softened, it’s no longer viable; the damaged section must be replaced before re-taping and re-texturing.

Why Is My Ceiling Cracking

Photo: istockphoto.com

Tiny spiderweb cracks may suggest thick application of drywall compound.

Thinned drywall compound is often used to create a textured ceiling. If it was applied too thickly, you may notice tiny cracks that run in all directions because the compound shrinks as it dries.

Solution: To conceal the blemishes, try applying a thin layer of drywall compound over the existing texture. You could also remove the existing texture by sanding—a messier prospect—and apply new drywall compound to the ceiling.

Truss uplift can cause a horizontal crack between an interior wall and the ceiling.

Roof trusses are designed to move slightly as their wood members expand and contract with attic temperature and moisture fluctuations. When the roof truss pulls upward, it may lift the ceiling drywall along with it, creating a crack between the wall and the ceiling. This common mistake often occurs if a handyman attaches drywall panels to the trusses near the edge of a non-load bearing wall.

Solution:The only way to permanently fix the issue is removing the nails or screws that secure the edge of the drywall panels to the trusses, and reattaching them to clips or blocks installed on the top of the interior wall plates. It’s best to hire a professional for this project.

If a homeowner doesn’t care to repair the issue, they can camouflage the crack by installing dark-stained crown molding around the top of the room. The molding should be attached only to the framing members in the wall—not to the ceiling joists. This cosmetic ceiling repair won’t stop the trusses (and the ceiling drywall) from lifting with moisture and temperature changes, but the dark color of the molding will disguise the appearance of the crack, while also adding a decorative touch to the room.

Ceiling cracks accompanied by wall cracks could be the result of the house settling.

How To Fix Stress Cracks In Drywall

Homes naturally settle as they age, which can create crevices in the walls and ceilings typically above doors and windows as well as in corners. These superficial hairline cracks can usually be re-taped—but, if the house continues to settle, the cracks are likely to reappear in the same spots.

Solution: If the gaps are wider than 1/8-inch, it’s a good idea to consult a reputable home builder, since you may have a structural problem.

How To Fix A Crack At The Wall Ceiling Joint

In older homes with plaster ceilings, movement and moisture may create cracks.

Since plaster is extremely rigid, the slightest movement can cause a gap. Typically, plaster ceiling cracks have two causes: house settling and temperature or moisture fluctuations in an attic, which result in the expansion or contraction of framing members.

Crack At Ceiling Wall Joint

Solution: Homeowners can fill these commonly occurring hairline cracks with new plaster and repaint the ceiling. If you have wider cracks or sections of loose plaster, the lath system beneath the plaster is likely failing—in which case, the plaster should be removed and replaced with drywall.

Large cracks on a bowed ceiling could indicate a structural problem.

Crack At Ceiling Wall Joint Removal

When a ceiling bows or sags, you have a problem that requires prompt attention. If you’ve recently installed something heavy on the floor above—such as a hot tub, a waterbed, or a pool table—the ceiling joists might sag under the excessive weight. A ceiling may also crack or bow due to the incorrect removal of a load-bearing wall or damage to other support members.

Cracks In Ceiling Drywall Causes

Solution: A structural engineer or a reputable builder should examine the ceiling as soon as possible to determine the best way to remedy the situation.