What Causes Cracks In Walls And Ceilings

These cracks are serious and require professional attention.

What causes cracks in walls and ceilings. Leaving a house vacant can cause wall cracks. This is a sign of structural damage usually related to a weak wall. 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. Basically a continuous crack going through the ceiling and the wall.

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. Ceiling cracks that run across the ceiling to the wall and then downward on the wall. 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. 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.

Cracks in the walls of your home could indicate serious foundation issues but that s not always the case. Cracks that cause concern are those which run across the length of a ceiling and then continue down a wall along the same line. Vacation homes and those that sit empty for a few months are prone to developing cracks in both walls and ceilings. A crack is continuous though the wall and ceiling.

We explore which cracks are cause for concern. Homes naturally settle as they age which can create crevices in the walls and ceilings typically above doors. This causes the drywall to get wet soften and deteriorate which then leads to cracking. A foundation issue or framing issue.

Ceiling cracks accompanied by wall cracks could be the result of the house settling. This type of crack suggest that there may be a structural issue i e. Leaky windows and roofs can cause moisture to get into your home s walls. Small cracks located above interior windows or doors are usually harmless.