Ceiling crack? (windows, phone, paint, ceilings)

[camrynh]

My house is 20 years old. It's two stories, with a crawl-space foundation. Recently my husband and I noticed a crack that is running along the seam the ceiling forms with a wall, on the first floor. It's not underneath a bathroom, and we've had no issues with doors or windows sticking. Any ideas what this could be, or how worrisome it is? And what kind of person should we call to come and take a look at it?

Thanks.

[Cosmic]

In general it should not happen. That should be prevented by the taping procedure when drywall is installed. A fiberglass mesh or paper tape is applied to the joint, then that is finished over with a plaster mud compound. Normally the joints are very resistant to cracking.

So if not tape was applied could be one cause. In the modern shacks anything is possible.

You would want to rule out other causes. Things like settling, even walls flexing too much in the wind. They just don't build them like them used too.

Drywall contractor might be nice to have a look at it. Might even cut down in there to see if missing tape is the cause before a final repair. It does happen, anything to save a buck and time, who is going to know different?

[camrynh]

After posting, I went and had a careful look at it again. It looks like the crack starts out from the wall, on the ceiling, along a drywall (?) seam. It then follows the seam, which goes along the wall. Does that sound like a likely taping issue?

Thanks for your input. We'll have someone out to look at it.

[inspectorclouseau]

Camyrynh,

If the crack is at the corner where the ceiling and the wall meet, unless they never taped, then it is likely truss lift. The ceiling joists were probably attached to the truss, which they should not have been, and then the truss shifts or lifts seasonally then it lifts the ceiling as well.

If the crack is in the middle of the ceiling, it is another problem altogether, but doubtful on a newer home.

[BigDGeek]

I have a "middle ceiling" crack but it was explained in the home inspection as being caused by settling. The house is a 52 year old pier and beam.

For now I am keeping an eye on the crack to see if it gets longer or wider. If not I will caulk it and paint the ceiling. If it does...I guess I will have to make some phone calls!

[estateplaster]

'I have a "middle ceiling" crack but it was explained in the home inspection as being caused by settling.'

I respectfully submit that your inspector was wrong....

(I posted before as Inspectorclouseau, but just reregistered bc of lost password/userid.....)

My credentials? I have a degree in Architecture, but through a twisted turn of events found myself restoring plaster professionally for the last too many years. And in that time I have found out a thing or two...

I am also a liscenced home inspector. About inspectors, many came from the construction feild, but are naturally more knowlegable about the areas in which they worked. Most electricians turned inspector are going to run rings around me when it comes to electrical

My thing was plaster problems. And while settling cracks do occur, they are usually on the walls, specifically at the corners of door or window casings.

Your plaster ceiling is what I call a 'Transitional Ceiling' and is undersupported. I have written extensively about this potentially dangerous issue on my website, and rather than cut and paste, you may go to estateplaster.com to find out more.

Be sure to go to the storys about collapsed ceilings.

After you read up on my info, I would be glad to speak with you about what we can do to remedy the situation, and possibly get your homeowners insurance to pay for it.

Looking forward to hearing from you.
Sincerly, Philip
Estate Plaster, Inc.