When you live in a house for awhile, you may begin to notice cracks forming in your ceilings. These can happen for a number of reasons, from the fact that the house is settling and the frame has moved, to the types of materials used in the construction of your ceiling when the house was built. Before taking steps to fix the crack, you’ve got to determine what materials your ceiling is made from. Is your ceiling made from sheet rock or plaster?
If your ceiling happens to be made from sheet rock, or drywall, fixing the crack my be as simple as re-taping and re-pasting the crack. Simply fill the crack with drywall paste, cover with drywall tape, and repaint. It’s a good idea to completely repaint the entire ceiling to ensure everything matches. If you find that your fixes are beginning to show signs of cracking again, it could be due to the braces in the ceiling. If this is the case, it may be more beneficial to have a professional come in and conduct proper repairs.
If your ceiling happens to be plaster, you can fix minor cracks with plaster spackling compound. Fill the crack, allow it to completely dry, then sand down and paint. If the cracks are due to water damage, be sure to deal with that problem as quickly as possible as it could cause your ceiling to collapse. Again, if the problem is extensive, it might be best to call in a professional.
One thing all homeowners should think about is when your house was built. Older homes, built before the 1970′s, may have asbestos in the ceilings. This is not something you’ll want to come into contact with and it’s important to have a professional check into this before you start any type of repair work. If asbestos is found in your ceilings, you need to allow professionals to remove it for the safety of you and your family.
Minor cracks in your ceilings can be a relatively easy fix. Once you’ve determined the type of materials used in construction, it’s basically a matter of using the right compounds to make repairs. Within a day, you can have a great looking ceiling without much hassle.
