Ceiling cracks are very common occurrence in many homes. If not identified on time, these ceiling cracks can make some serious issues in your house. The level of damage would entirely depend on the type of ceiling crack, size, and other possible causes.
That’s why, it’s extremely important to know which type of ceiling crack you have in your house, so that you can fix it and address the problem at early stage.
The good news is – many cracks are manageable and can be fixed with the right approach.
In this post, we are going to explore types of ceiling cracks with pictures, their causes, and how to fix them. These ceiling cracks pictures would better help you identify your case. Whether its hairline cracks, spiderweb patterns, or sagging cracks, we are going to help you identify them and fix them.
Common causes of a ceiling crack
Ceiling cracks appear for various reasons that range from natural wear and tear to severe structural issues. Understanding the common causes can help you determine the severity of the situation and find an appropriate fix for it.
Below are some of the common causes of ceiling cracks:
Foundation of the building
When a building’s foundation shifts or settles over time, can create stress on the structure which causes ceiling cracks to appear in the ceiling.
It’s more common in aging homes or areas with unstable soil conditions as the ground is more prone to movement.
Excess moisture
Factors like humidity, leaking, or plumbing issues can cause moisture to build up and seep into the ceiling. This weakens the structure materials which then result in cracks.
Typically, moisture-related cracks are accompanied by discoloration or staining, they might even feel damp to the touch.
Poor Construction
If the building was created using cheap materials or installed incorrectly, there’s a high chance that the building will develop cracks over time.
This can happen due to insufficient support, uneven drywall installation, inadequate application of material, or the tap coming loose, which can lead to damage much sooner than expected.
Due to aging of the house
As the house gets older, it naturally undergoes wear and tear, which is quite common. Materials like plaster or drywall can shrink or expand with temperature fluctuations, causing small, harmless cracks to appear.
This can also lead to cracks, which can be repaired with some joint compounds and plaster, sand it, and repainting. But if the cracks appear large or wide, this can point toward more serious issues.
Improper installation of drywall
Cracks can also appear if the drywall wasn’t installed properly, whether it was badly taped seams or inadequate amount of support.
If the drywall isn’t installed properly, the tap could come loose and cause straight ceiling cracks.
Types of ceiling cracks with pictures (With Fixes)
There are many types of ceiling cracks, starting from simple hairline ceiling cracks to dangerous cracks around ceiling fixture. The level of damage majorly depends on type of the ceiling crack, how wider it is, and the cause behind it. In order to fix these ceiling cracks, you must identify them on early stages and get the right fix.
In this section, we will break down different types of ceiling cracks with pictures, so you can identify the one that’s available at your house. We will also see the causes of the ceiling cracks and their fixes.
Hairline Ceiling Cracks
Hairline cracks are thin and barely noticeable lines that appear in paint or plaster. Their common identification is they are fine, narrow fissures that are less than 1/16 inch wide. Typically, shallow and superficial, and don’t indicate any structural issue, but their growth should be monitored.
Hairline cracks are mostly caused by the shrinkage or expansion of paint or plaster, natural settling, and temperature fluctuations.
To fix it, clean the area and fill the crack with lightweight spackle or filler. Once it dries, sand it until smooth, and repaint it to blend it with the surrounding area for a seamless finish.
Sagging ceiling crack
Cracks accompanied by sagging, drooping, or seeming out of place, are an indication of a weakened structure support. Often found in areas under a lot of stress such as the center of the ceiling, or an overloaded attic.
Sagging ceiling cracks are a red flag that you should look out for and call a professional as soon as possible.
They are often caused by water damage from leaks, heavy weight above the ceiling, or foundation settlement.
First, look for the cause of sagging and fix them, it could be fixing leaks or reinforcing joists. Replace the damaged section of the ceiling and if the damage is extreme, then consult a professional to reinforce the ceiling or do other repairs.
Spiderweb ceiling cracks
Spiderweb cracks are thin fissures that spread out from a central point, often resembling the pattern of a web. Commonly found in older homes with plaster ceilings and areas with high humidity or frequent temperature fluctuations.
Spiderweb cracks are harmless but if the cracks begin to look deeper, and extend significantly, accompanied by sagging, they can cause foundation issues. It is advised to immediately contact a professional before things escalate.
The most common causes of these spider ceiling cracks are aging materials, foundation shifts, or poor plaster installation, which can cause these cracks to appear.
This can also happen due to improper drywall installation, high humidity, water damage, or plumbing issues, can also be the reason behind it.
Minor cracks can be fixed using a plaster patching compound to cover the cracks. Once it’s done, sand the excessive plaster to smoothen the surface, and lastly, repaint it to create a seamless look.
Straight line ceiling
Straight-line ceiling cracks are formed along the straight edges of drywall panels or along the tape lines. These cracks are often narrow but stretch across the entire length of the room.
They are mostly shallow and cosmetic and don’t indicate a major problem. While they are harmless, they can become too visible if not fixed properly. You should worry when the crack widens and also have sagging. Call for professional assistance when this happens.
Straight-line cracks are often caused by poor workmanship during drywall installation, such as inadequate application of joint compound or plaster, or poorly secured tape.
Environmental factors like temperature fluctuations and humidity changes, can worsen these cracks.
To fix these cracks, you need to remove the loose tapes and reapply the joint compound on the cracked areas. Once the area is dried, sand the surface to smoothen it and repaint it.
Discolored and damaged ceiling crack
A discolored and damaged ceiling, accompanied by cracks means there’s water damage. These cracks are often accompanied by yellow or brown stains. When touched, the edges might feel soft or crumble.
Mostly caused by water damage, it is important to know where the leak is to get to fix the problem. It is concerning if the discoloration spreads or molds start appearing, you should fix it as soon as possible as this could cause further damage to the structure and cause health-related problems.
They are commonly caused by water damage, and can weaken the ceiling materials, causing the surface to feel damp to touch. This can happen because of poor ventilation which then leads to moisture build up.
To resolve the issue, you need to look for the leak or from where the moisture is seeping in. Once you have found the source, replace the damaged section, use stain-blocking primer, and a waterproof sealant to avoid moisture from coming in.
Repaint the surface to create a smooth, finished look.
Peeling ceiling crack
Peeling cracks often appear with flaking paint and uneven surfaces. This happens when the adhesion between the paint and ceiling material loosens, usually because of excess moisture, improper preparation before painting, or old age.
Mostly seen in high-humidity areas such as bathrooms or kitchens. This weakens the ceiling surface causing it to peel and crack. These are mostly cosmetic but can point towards water damage issues or structural weakening.
The most common causes can be poor quality paints or improper preparation before painting. Looking for moisture sources like leaks or condensation, if the humidity is high in your area. The old paint layer or aging materials lose adhesion over time.
To fix the ceiling, first scrape off the peeling paint and sand the surface. Apply a high-quality primer to prepare the surface for the next step. Use a moisture-resistant paint to prevent this from happening again and protect the surface.
Crack from ceiling to wall
Cracks that start from the ceiling and extend down to the wall, indicate structural stress or natural settling in the building. Small cracks are quite common but larger ones are a matter of concern.
Large cracks from ceiling to walls can indicate framing or foundation issues, which is alarming.
The cracks are usually caused by serious foundational shifts or structural movement. This can also happen due to compromised load-bearing structures or roof failures. Situations like excessive weight, water damage, or solid movement can further worsen this issue.
To fix minor cracks, you can use caulk or compound to seal them between them. Sand the area and level it with the surface and lastly repaint it, for a smooth and seamless finish.
However, for the larger cracks, we highly advise you to consult a professional or your contractor to address the structural problems.
Cracks on ceiling line edge
Cracks along the ceiling edges where the wall meets the ceiling are quite common. They often appear as thin, straight lines, and are mostly harmless. They are shallow and can affect the appearance of the room.
They can appear in straight lines or a bit unstructured. However, if you notice deep or wider cracks that extend into the walls and ceiling, contact a structural expert for evaluation.
A common cause behind cracks on the ceiling line edge could be the normal settling of the house, expansion or contraction of the ceiling and wall materials, or poor caulking and paint adhesion in the corner edges.
To fix these types of ceiling cracks, you first need to clean the area and remove any loose debris. Then apply a flexible caulk to seal the crack.
Level the surface using a putty knife and then leave it to dry. Lastly, repaint the surface to blend the fixed area seamlessly with the surrounding surface.
Diagonal ceiling crack
Diagonal ceiling cracks mostly appear at the ceiling corners or structural beams. These cracks are usually small at the beginning but grow over time, especially if they are caused by foundational issues.
Diagonal cracks are usually an indication of structural stress or uneven settling of the foundation. It can be more concerning if the cracks are horizontal, vertical, or wider, as they can point toward more serious structural problems.
Diagonal cracks are mostly caused by uneven shifting or settling of a building’s foundation, earthquake, or natural ground movements.
To fix it, first, inspect the crack or consult a professional to inspect. For minor, cosmetic cracks, clean the area and remove any loose material. Apply a patching compound or a flexible filler such as epoxy in the affected area. For larger cracks, consider using joint reinforcement tape to fix the ceiling permanently.
Ceiling Cracks around the fixture
Ceiling cracks around fixtures like light fittings, fans, or vents, are common in many homes. They appear as circular or radiating cracks accompanied with small, narrow lines, surrounding the fixtures.
Cracks around the fixtures can range from straight-line cracks to more noticeable cracks that expand over time if not taken care of.
Cracks around fixtures typically appear due to stress caused by the weight and movement of the fixture, improper installation, or natural settling of the ceiling materials. Temperature fluctuations or water damage can also lead to cracking.
To fix it, start by checking the fixtures are properly installed and do not add unnecessary stress. Check the fixtures from time to time for loose screws and tighten them to secure the material around.
To fix minor cracks, apply joint compound and smoothen it using a putty knife. If the cracks appear larger or wider, or there’s some discoloration around the fixtures or cracks, then look for leaks or structural problems, and consult a professional.
What is structural ceiling crack and when you should worry?
A structural ceiling crack is a type of crack that indicates there’s a significant amount of damage or stress to the structural integrity of the building.
Different from cosmetic or superficial cracks, structural cracks often pose some serious issues such as foundation movement, shifting beams, or compromised load-bearing elements. These cracks are deep and can affect the ceiling’s stability.
Monitor your crack and see if there’s any change in their size or if they have expanded more. Identifying these cracks is important to prevent things from worsening and ensure safety.
When you should worry about structural ceiling crack?
You should be concerned if the crack grows rapidly, and expands to other areas in the home, or occurs near load-bearing elements. Let’s go over the warning signs that you should look for whenever you see a crack:
- Any crack that’s wider than ⅛ inch and grows rapidly, should be inspected by a professional.
- Cracks that extend to other walls or widen indicate ongoing structural stress.
- Cracks accompanied by water stains, sagging walls, discoloration, bowing, or popping noises, are a huge warning of structural failure.
- Cracks in unusual locations like load-bearing walls, beams, or columns could point toward serious structural problems.
- If you see more than one crack, even if it is small.
If you notice such signs in your ceiling crack and suspect it is a structural failure, it’s best to consult a professional.
How to know if a ceiling crack is normal or dangerous?
Not all ceiling cracks are dangerous, many cracks are purely cosmetic and harmless. But, you need to identify the signs that separate the normal cracks from the dangerous ones. Understanding the difference between them is important as it helps ensure the safety of your home.
Common identification of normal ceiling cracks
- Thin, shallow cracks like hairline cracks, are often caused by natural settling or temperature fluctuations, expansion or shrinkage of plaster and paint.
- Straight cracks that go along the plaster joints and follow the drywall seams are normally due to the aging of the house.
- Cracks that have thin, fine lines and spiderweb-like patterns, expand into the ceiling
Common identification of dangerous ceiling cracks
- Cracks that are wider than ⅛ inch or have irregular patterns that expand from the ceiling to the wall.
- Cracks that go diagonally across the ceiling, especially near the load-bearing walls, or beams, can indicate foundational or structural issues.
- Worse if cracks are accompanied by other issues like water stains, sagging, and bowing walls, these signs suggest a potential structural failure.
- Cracks that grow in size or spread rapidly to other walls are big red flags for serious structural failure. Make sure to monitor these cracks from time to time for such changes.
If it’s a normal ceiling crack, a simple repair will do the job. However, if the cracks have signs that look alarming, consult a professional contractor or structural engineer immediately.
Who to call for ceiling cracks?
Ceiling cracks can be an indication of minor wear and tear or something more serious. It is important to know who to call to fix the issue correctly.
You can start with a general contractor if you are unsure of the severity of the cracks. They can assess and let you know whether the crack is cosmetic or requires some special attention.
If you notice the crack is making unusual patterns like diagonal or appears wide in size, then it’s best to call a structural engineer. They can evaluate your home’s structural integrity and determine whether the crack is related to foundational shifts or load-bearing concerns.
For cracks that have water stains or appear discolored and damaged, you can call a roofer or a plumber to check for leaks caused by pipes or fixtures.
For repairing and restoring the look of your ceiling, call a drywall or plaster specialist.
Conclusion
Ceiling cracks can range from minor cosmetic issues to serious structural concerns. Understanding the types of ceiling cracks with pictures, their causes, and fixes can help you identify whether a crack needs immediate professional attention or can be resolved with simple DIY fixes.
For example, some cracks like hairline or straight ones just need a simple cosmetic fix with compound joint and proper plaster application. While cracks like diagonal or spreading cracks can cause deeper problems that can be quite dangerous if not taken care of.
Plus if they are accompanied by sagging, leaking, or peeling, it’s a clear indication that there’s an issue with your home’s structure. You should either call your contractor or the structural engineer, to evaluate the situation and protect your home.
