Gorblimey - Hairline cracks appeared

[toptec]

Replaced my bungalows lounge and dining room ceilings with 12.5mm plasterboard, all screwed up properly, taped and then the plasterer did a real fine job skimming the boards. Painted them and they came up an absolute treat - hardly a blemish to be seen.

This was finished 5 months ago.

Wifey woke this morning and spotted two hairline cracks, one in each room - probably 5 foot long running in the same direction as the boards were fitted. Pretty sure they are no more than a couple of days old.

Is it possible the cold snap may be the cause. The loft is well insulated, nearly 300mm, but it quite cold up there. Really odd it has taken this long to crack. Ghosts perhaps or very heavy rats???????

Puzzled.

 

[Richard C]

It’s a PITA when it happens but it’s nothing unusual for cracks to just appear like that months later just when you thought it was all OK. The ambient humidity in the house & the moisture in the building fabric will be less in the winter due to central heating. This causes everything to shrink & coupled with, possibly, big differences in temperature between day & night this time of year can cause differential expansion/contraction between the boards which may prove too much; do the cracks run across or with the joists & how did you lay the boards? Are you sure no one has been jumping around in the loft getting the Christmas decs. down?

 

[toptec]

Morning Richard

Yeah, checking this morning, the cracks run along the line of the joists across the direction of the boards. They may be where two boards butt up against each other. We have had a week of frosts, some heavy down this way.

We have been up in the loft, checking pipes, but only in the central section which is cross timbered and boarded. It is very cold up there though and I reckon it may be the somewhat small 4 X 2's are having a shiver!

Just a bit irritating is all. The plasterer did a brill job and it did look pristine. Ah well........................

 

[Richard C]

Yeah, checking this morning, the cracks run along the line of the joists across the direction of the boards. They may be where two boards butt up against each other. We have had a week of frosts, some heavy down this way.

You’ve laid the boards the right way; did you stagger alternate boards so the joints didn’t line up? The ends of the boards have obviously moved relative to each other but difficult to say exactly why without seeing it, could be any number of things; the joints usually crack due to loose or insufficient fixings (use screws at minimum 200mm) & if you taped the joints it should have been OK. Now it’s cracked the options are to either live with it or do a load of remedial work on the joins, re skim & blend in; not as bad as skimming the whole ceiling but still a fair bit of work & needs skill to do it properly so it won’t be seen. Filler will hide it for short while but usually cracks again & you will see flexible caulk repairs a mile off.

 

[toptec]

Thanks mate. Yep all screwed up properly and the joints staggered but you can't avoid the ends meeting can you. It's one of those things that you only spot when you look hard.

I've told her she will have to live with it.

Many thanks.