Are My Ceiling Cracks Normal?

Ceiling cracks could be due to structural damage or the structure’s age. Knowing which ceiling cracks to worry about and which you can safely ignore will reduce your stress and help protect your home.

How to tell if ceiling cracks are serious

Wondering if your ceiling cracks are serious? The locations of the cracks in your ceiling are a good way to tell what is going on.

• Cracks located along the edges of the ceiling: These ceiling cracks are usually because of house settlement.
• Cracks across the middle of a room: These indicate foundation trouble and should be looked at by a professional.
• Multiple, wide, or long cracks in the middle of the ceiling: These should be examined by an experienced foundation repair professional as well, since they are another strong sign of possible foundation trouble.
• Ceiling is both bowed and cracked: If you notice a bow in your ceiling along with visible signs of cracking, this is a sign of a more significant problem. The joists in a home can only support a certain amount of weight. Once that weight is surpassed, the support weakens and the ceiling sags, so the cause needs to be found and corrected.

Remember: All foundations are subject to movement, which is normal. Foundation movement can be caused by weather fluctuations or settling soil beneath the structure. If you see cracks in your ceiling, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have structural damage.

For more information read Causes of Cracks in Interior Walls.

Ceiling crack repair

If the cracks result from a foundation issue, usually, underpinning solutions will fix the problem. These underpinning products are typically used:

• Steel push piers
• Helical piers

The piers are driven deep into the ground through unstable soil layers until they reach the load-bearing strata. Then, each pier is load tested. After load testing, the weight of the structure is transferred onto the piers to stabilize the foundation, and lift is attempted where conditions allow.

Ceiling crack repair cost

Ceiling crack repair costs will, of course, depend on the nature of the crack. If they were caused by foundation damage, the repair will involve more work. Your geographical location also figures into the repair cost.

The only way to know how much it will cost to fix a ceiling crack is to contact a foundation repair contractor for an inspection and a Customized Repair Estimate. Most contractors will do an inspection for free.

Ceiling cracks: when to worry (and when you can relax)

Note that the size of the crack can help you determine the severity of your problem.

Cracks that run vertically across the ceiling and continue down a wall are a major concern. This is a sign of structural damage and can usually be attributed to a natural disaster such as an earthquake or tornado, the settling of a home over an extended time, or a man-made incident.

Spiderweb cracks are generally harmless. Spiderweb cracks are located on ceilings, walls, floors, and grout lines. Spiderweb cracks that appear in older homes are usually caused by the structure settling into the soil over time. Spiderwebs are normal. However, if you notice a crack over 1/10 inch wide, contact a foundation repair professional and ask for an inspection.

What causes ceiling cracks?

The most common reason for ceiling cracks is moisture. It is recommended to find the source of the moisture and eliminate the problem. Moisture often is the result of improper water drainage. Perhaps the gutter system is clogged, or the roof is leaking for some reason. This moisture, change in temperature, and airflow change can cause cracks. Either way, Epp can help you find out whether your foundation is involved.

If you notice ceiling cracks, contact a professional to come and inspect your home and see if the cracks are due to foundation problems. The sooner a foundation problem is repaired, the less structural damage will spread through your home. The top cities we serve are Lincoln, Omaha, Grand Island, Kearney, Norfolk, and many more; contact us today for a free estimate.