[Help] Cracks in the ceiling, any advice please.

[shingle]

Morning everyone. Just wondering if anyone is able to give any advice on this please.

My son bought a 1930’s house and when he moved in realised that there was damage to the gully drain that had been allowing drain water in from the shower and sink upstairs, causing damp on the interior of the wall. The level 2 survey noted some cracks on an internal wall above a door which were put down to ‘thermal movement’ but did not pick up on the issue with the drain, nor did it mention cracks in the ceilings. Are cracks in the ceilings like this commonplace or could it be a sign of a more significant issue I.e damage to the foundation on account of the damaged drain? There’s some further hairline cracks throughout the property that he’s provided photos of for context.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Is it PotG?]

I recall my wife noticing similar when I least wanted to hear such a thing.

 

[beorhthelm]

never lived in a place without some cracks showing. those look pretty superficial, example the ceiling ones doesn't carry on past the coving down the wall. take pictures and see if they change over a few months.

 

[BNthree]

Whilst I’m probably the last person to take this advice from they do look pretty run of the mill cracks for a building that age.

 

[Randy McNob]

don't invite Lionel Ritchie round again

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

Looks just like cracks we have seen in our place (built in the 1880s).

 

[happypig]

I get questions like this from my son every few weeks.
I've had cracks like that in several houses, nothing to worry about.

If he's worried, get a couple of reputable builders round to give him a quote to fix it.

 

[B-right-on]

Morning everyone. Just wondering if anyone is able to give any advice on this please.

My son bought a 1930’s house and when he moved in realised that there was damage to the gully drain that had been allowing drain water in from the shower and sink upstairs, causing damp on the interior of the wall. The level 2 survey noted some cracks on an internal wall above a door which were put down to ‘thermal movement’ but did not pick up on the issue with the drain, nor did it mention cracks in the ceilings. Are cracks in the ceilings like this commonplace or could it be a sign of a more significant issue I.e damage to the foundation on account of the damaged drain? There’s some further hairline cracks throughout the property that he’s provided photos of for context.

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I've been in the 'building game' for a good few years. Cracks are pretty normal.

The crack on the stairs between the stair string and the wall is normal wear and tear from walking on wooden stairs V brick walls.

The ceiling cracks similar

Subsidence cracks are almost always visible on external walls and internal walls at ground level.

The only thing needs sorting out pretty quickly is the drain. Water is getting into the surrounding bricks and when it freezes, it's spalling the bricks and it's worn away the cement around the drain. Ideally the pipes need to be extended closer so they don't splash and the walls around cemented over to protect them and direct water into the drain.

Not a big job at all but he doesn't want it to get into something bigger

 

[PILTDOWN MAN]

The cracks are nothing to worry about. When he decorates use a flat bladed screwdriver to "dig" into the crack. This gives filler something to attach itself to. Slightly over fill the cracks and once dry sand flat.

Once decorated he can sit there admiring his work. In a few years time with the normal movement of the house (hot then cold) he can sit there admiring the cracks once more.

It is what it is.

 

[B-right-on]

The cracks are nothing to worry about. When he decorates use a flat bladed screwdriver to "dig" into the crack. This gives filler something to attach itself to. Slightly over fill the cracks and once dry sand flat.

Once decorated he can sit there admiring his work. In a few years time with the normal movement of the house (hot then cold) he can sit there admiring the cracks once more.

It is what it is.

Personally I like to use decorators caulk as it remains flexible, especially on the stairs where there's continuous movement between the wooden stairs and walls as people walk up and down.

 

[PILTDOWN MAN]

Personally I like to use decorators caulk as it remains flexible, especially on the stairs where there's continuous movement between the wooden stairs and walls as people walk up and down.

I agree but in the middle of the ceiling I find it doesn't work so well. Those cracks are where the plaster boards sheets butt up together. Maybe they didn't put tape on the crack before plastering.

 

[shingle]

Thanks for all the replies chaps, much appreciated.

 

[Weststander]

With the ceiling crack, is the ceiling itself bulging at all at that point? If not, imho just requiring decorating repairs one day. We had the former, ultimately it was due to a leaking roof and a very messy job getting it all fixed.

 

[PILTDOWN MAN]

Thanks for all the replies chaps, much appreciated.

For the drain ideally you need to extend the pipework (easy to do) and end up looking like this.

Repairing the wall is easy. You can buy a sealer then simple rendering, all available at any diy shop.

 

[PILTDOWN MAN]

With the ceiling crack, is the ceiling itself bulging at all at that point? If not, imho just requiring decorating repairs one day. We had the former, ultimately it was due to a leaking roof and a very messy job getting it all fixed.

Normally that would show staining as well

 

[Weststander]

Normally that would show staining as well

We didn’t have that. Finally got round to investigated by probing a bit, I came across wet plasterboard. The probing expanded as I found several square metres affected. Then it was tracing the sauce … a palaver with several wrong theories, due to a complicated roof.

 

[pigmanovich]

Welcome to NSC Sir Jim

 

[PILTDOWN MAN]

We didn’t have that. Finally getting round to investigated by probing a bit, I came across wet plasterboard. The probing expanded as I found several square metres affected. Then it was tracing the sauce … a palaver with several wrong theories, due to a complicated roof.

You mean ees complicated

 

[Giraffe]

I recall my wife noticing similar when I least wanted to hear such a thing.

At least her eyes were open.

 

[Creaky]

Personally I like to use decorators caulk as it remains flexible, especially on the stairs where there's continuous movement between the wooden stairs and walls as people walk up and down.

Agree - as for cracks our house was only signed off by building control 8 weeks ago and there are a number of minor cracks. We had one on the staircase almost identical to the OP and others around door frames. All fixed successfully with decorator's caulk.