Those Ugly Ceiling Cracks

Hello World!  Welcome Friends!  This afternoon I’m pleased to introduce Emma Mellor.  She works for a small construction company and loves to write about her experiences online on a number of websites in order to help homeowners live better.  Today her post will help us to keep those ceiling cracks in check!

Those Ugly Ceiling Cracks: When to Worry and What to Do, Too

If you notice a crack has appeared in your ceiling or is working its way down your wall it might be an unsightly problem that needs a quick touch-up to resolve or it could be the sign of a major issue that won’t go away by applying a bit of compound.

Here are some insights on how to interpret the cracks and damage you are looking at plus some tips on how to address and resolve the issue, including why the location of the cracks offers vital clues, how to interpret the size of those cracks, plus a warning about the state of your ceiling.

Age or Structural Damage?

The fundamental question you want an answer to is whether the cracks in your ceiling that have appeared are easily explained by a normal aging or settlement process or whether it is an indication of structural damage.

An important piece of advice to homeowners to remember is that it is never a good idea to dismiss any indication of a problem. Even if it turns to be a straightforward explanation that is easily fixed it is far better to find that out as early as possible than to run the risk of letting a potentially serious problem develop.

Crack Location Provides the Clues

The location of the cracks in your ceiling is a useful pointer in guiding you toward the underlying explanation for what is going on.

More often than not if you find a crack that is running along the edges of the ceiling this is an indication of normal settlement but if you notice that the cracks are running across the middle of your room this is often a reliable indication that you have a problem with your foundation.

It is always a good idea to get a professional opinion if you think that foundation repair is likely to be required, especially if you have multiple cracks going on and they are located in the middle of the ceiling.

Have you noticed cracks in your mobile home? The cracks could indicate shifting and moving ground beneath your feet. While this is always happening, a manufactured home builder or service may undertake a few processes, including house leveling, to fix a sinking foundation and return it to a square and level condition. You can contact professionals like Top Notch Mobile Home Services to quickly fix your foundation’s problems satisfactorily.

Are Your Joists Under Pressure?

Another visual clue that you need to consider is when you see that your ceilings have become bowed.

It can often be the case that if you have a more serious problem going on with your home you will notice that your ceilings are bowed along with the visible signs of cracking.

The joists in your home are designed to cope with a specific weight load but once you exceed that threshold the support structure is weakened and you could be facing a scenario where the ceiling collapses.

Look for signs of your ceiling bowing as well as checking out any cracks that have appeared.

Spiderwebs Are Normal

The size of the crack can often prove to be a good indicator for the severity of the problem and the larger the crack the more likely it is that something serious might be going on.

With that in mind, how concerned should you be with spiderweb cracks?

These aptly-named cracks are very fine lines that resemble a spider’s web and can appear not only in your ceiling but also in walls, floors and even grout lines. These fine cracks can often be explained as settling, but if the cracks are becoming larger you should consider getting a professional opinion and check out whether excess moisture is the cause.

Taking Action

Buying a home is an investment and you will obviously want to do what you can to keep it in good order and protect that financial commitment.  Which is why you want to be proactive and take remedial steps when you notice a problem like cracking.

When you first notice cracks appearing it is worth carrying out your own initial inquiries to see if you can spot more visual clues as to what is going on, including taking a look at the exterior of your property.

There might be some useful visual clues outside that could point toward an issue with your home’s foundation.

Check to see if you have a sagging roofline and whether any cracks have appeared anywhere in your walls and foundation or whether you have gaps between your bricks and windows, or some of the doors and windows are becoming difficult to open.

Cracks in your ceiling are an unsightly problem but they can be a clear indication that your foundation may be damaged or at risk.  So, it is often wise to never dismiss even an apparently minor problem and call in a professional to get confirmation of what’s happening.

Thank you, Emma for the great information!

Click the links below for any posts you have missed:

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Replacing a Roof: Simple Guidelines for Choosing the Best Materials for Your Home

5 Tips for Decorating your Outdoor Space

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