How To Repair Settling Cracks In Ceiling

Ceiling cracks are grotesque – there'southward no getting effectually it. They're not some advanced architectural statement and tin't be passed off as "graphic symbol." Ceiling cracks are a problem, just non the main problem because ceiling cracks are always indicative of a deeper issue. And so, before you patch-&-paint, y'all'll want to identify the culprit.

Foundation heave and foundation settlement probably aren't the first suspects that pop into mind when it comes to ceiling cracks. However, foundation issues are a principal reason for ceiling cracks and fissures.

We have over 100 years of combined foundation repair experience here at Dalinghaus Construction. We are hither to brainwash y'all on all things foundation repair…and and so some.

In this article, you volition learn that information technology's important to decide the source of the cracks and address information technology before moving on to patching them up. You volition also learn the steps for patching your cracked ceiling.

*Note – we saved how to patch your cracked ceiling for final because unless the root of the problem is dealt with, the cracks will return (particularly if it'due south due to foundation structural damage).

So, let'due south dive correct in.

Ceiling Cracks (Dalinghaus)

Decide the Source of the Ceiling Cracks

Information technology is imperative to determine the source of the cracks. Once the source has been identified, then the appropriate measures can exist taken to address the primary consequence. This will help mediate farther ceiling cracks and fissures.

Ceiling cracks are acquired by a wide variety of factors:

Leaks & water damage – busted pipes, poor roofs, and/or improperly sealed chimneys can all result in water impairment. This is usually identifiable via wet spots or discolored drywall. Address the water source outset, and so repair the drywall.

Loftier humidity – Drywall is essentially very thick paper. Damp paper loses its structural integrity speedily and it's the same principle with drywall. This allows the drywall to pull away and divide. This is typically seen in unoccupied homes that have been open to the elements for some time. Dehumidifiers are bachelor to help dry out out your home quickly.

Poor drywall tape jobs – Poor record jobs can peel and leave an ugly line running across your ceiling. The crack can be easily retaped and repainted to match the residuum of your ceiling.

Foundation issues – foundation settlement and foundation heave can exert undue stress on your foundation and home'south woods framing, resulting in serious ceiling cracks. This is the hardest to repair because you tin't do it yourself.

For almost of the causes above, you can find DIY repair tutorials on the web. Foundation repair, unfortunately, is not a do-it-yourself option, for the same reason in that location are no DIY root canals – it's specialized and ofttimes requires permits.

Address Foundation Settlement and Foundation Boost

It is admittedly critical to address foundation settlement and foundation heave prior to fixing ceiling cracks. To do otherwise is to waste matter your money and your time. Nosotros've heard many horror stories of homeowners patch-&-painting ceiling cracks for year after twelvemonth to no avail. The cracks render and bring more with them.

Why?

Considering the root of the problem has not been addressed: settlement and/or boost.

Foundation settlement is when a foundation sinks into incompetent, non-loadbearing soil (also referred to as expansive soil, typically dirt or loam soil). Foundation boost is when a foundation is pushed upwards by expansive soil, generally when the h2o tabular array is high.

In our experience, there'south generally a 90:x separate betwixt settling and boost. Settling is far more common.

Both foundation settlement and foundation heave tin wreak havoc on your foundation. Your home's foundation was designed to remain flat, remain level, and sustain your abode's load. Settlement and heave throw your foundation off-residue, literally.

This tin can result in sloped floors, out of square window/door frames, cracked walls, and cracked ceilings. Unfortunately, patch-&-painting drywall cracks doesn't render your home's foundation back to level. Your foundation will continue to sink or bubble upward, remaining off-kilter no matter how much putty y'all use.

The best ways currently bachelor on the market place to return your home back to level are push pier foundation repair, helical pier foundation repair, and polyurethane deep injection.

Both button pier and helical pier systems act equally undercover stilt systems, the piers grounded into bedrock or competent, load-bearing soil to keep your home secure.

Polyurethane deep injection is a foam that is pumped beneath your foundation. This foam expands and solidifies, densifying the weak soil directly underneath your foundation.

Ofttimes, polyurethane is used in conjunction with steel pier systems, so foundation repair customers receive the all-time of both worlds.

Push piers and helical piers allow for the home to be lifted dorsum to maximum applied recovery (the optimal amount of elevator). In the foundation repair world, there is no such matter as "full recovery" or returning the home to its exact previous position.

However, one time the home has been secured and returned to level, you probably won't exist able to tell the home was not quite every bit high as it in one case was. In addition, this is when you tin finally patch-&-paint your ceiling cracks.

It's important to wait to address the ceiling cracks because if they've been patched previously, the mud, caulk, or whatever filler you used is pushed back out during the lift. This is because the natural fissure created by the settlement is being closed one time once again. Thus, the filler material is displaced.

Steps to Fixing a Ceiling Crevice

Afterwards the root cause of the cracks has been addressed, you lot can always rent a handyman to come in and prepare your ceiling cracks, depending on your schedule and upkeep. All the same, if you'd similar to ready information technology yourself, here are the steps.

Annotation – if your ceiling is high enough to require a ladder, ask a friend to agree the ladder steady for you as you work.

Earlier we dive in, hither is a brief listing of material yous might need:

Plaster
A putty knife
Paint
A screw gun
A drop fabric
Drywall tape

Prep step -

Put down a driblet fabric underneath the affected surface area then the drywall chalk, putty, or paint won't drip onto your flooring and ruin your carpet, hardwood, tile, or linoleum.

Step 1 –

Sink drywall screws into the cranium blocks immediately effectually the crack or every bit shut to the crevice as possible. The goal is to attach the drywall to the woods support blocks behind your ceiling. This provides support and will go on the drywall securely in place, minimizing potential movement or give.

Footstep 2 –

Clean out and/or slightly widen the fissure with a scraper of your choice. This creates a make clean surface for the drywall tape and putty to adhere to.

Step 3 –

Apply a layer of drywall across the crack, followed by the putty, mud, or compound of your choice. The filler is generally applied with a putty knife. Exist sure to utilize enough pressure to ensure the filler seeps through the mesh drywall tape in order to fill the crack.

Pace four –

Take a damp sponge and shine out the putty/tape and so it's flush with the residue of your ceiling.

Step 5 –

Permit the putty to dry out and and then sand down any crude spots non smoothed out by the sponge.

Footstep half-dozen –

Once the treated surface area is smooth, you lot can paint over the crack with your option of paint.

Relish a Fissure Free Ceiling

In this article, yous learned virtually the primary causes of ceiling cracks: leaks, h2o impairment, high humidity, bad drywall tape jobs, and foundation issues.

You likewise learned that foundation repair is non a DIY and of the primary forms of foundation repair: push pier, helical pier, and polyurethane. Finally, nosotros covered six basic steps to patching your ceiling cracks yourself.

Non certain what exactly is causing your ceiling cracks? Volume a free foundation inspection to have a foundation repair adept examine your property and determine whether your cracks are from foundation issues or something else. Nosotros've repaired thousands of foundations across Southern California and Arizona - nosotros tin can help you pinpoint your problem.

To learn what to look during one of these foundation repair inspections, read our article How Long Does a Foundation Inspection Have & What Tin Add Time .

If yous haven't had a foundation inspection still, click our link beneath for a Costless inspection in our operating areas of SoCal and Arizona -

schedule free foundation evaluation