Ceiling cracks - could this be structural?

[Novice894]

I’m considering purchasing a property but I’m unsure if the ceiling crack is anything to worry about, it’s like a staircase crack on the ceiling, starting above the window (I can’t see if the crack starts on the wall as it’s covered by wallpaper), and goes across to the corner of the chimney breast, a section of it seems to have a slighter wide crack.

[ProDave]

What does the survey say?  do you have a picture?

[Roundtuit]

It could just be old lath and plaster sagging, but as above... need a bit more to go on please!

Edited July 31, 2022 by Roundtuit
typo

[Bonner]

Look for tell tale signs, does it look like an old crack or more recent? Has the ceiling been decorated recently, or is it old wallpaper/paint? Any signs of filler being used or recent decoration in that area specifically? I would be more concerned if there have been attempts to cover something. Can you see any cracks in the outside walls?

[markc]

If it’s an old house, possibly part of ceiling pulled down and replaced (water ingress etc.) and you are seeing the joint between the old and new

[Novice894]

Thank you all for your help. I have a photo but the size is too large, trying to work out how to do it at the moment!

 

The plaster board joins in the ceiling are all quite obvious now, some have been painted over, some hairline, so the ceiling looks like it needs taping again possibly? But it’s the staircase crack which is worry, I’ll try and upload a photo. I can’t see anything outside, but the drive looks to have sunk as the concrete around the drain is cracked and raised. Not sure if the two are related, I’ll try and get the photo

[Novice894]

Here’s the photo…sorry I had to crop it to get the right file size.

[joe90]

I recon that’s not lathe and plaster but plasterboard, joints originally done badly, not structural just needs grinding out and jointing properly.

[Roundtuit]

Unlikely to be anything serious I suspect.  Can you get up above it in the loft and have a look?  It might be plasterboard over old lath and plaster where the fixings have failed. Does it move if you push up on it?  Might just need some additional screws, a smear of caulk and a coat of paint.

[Gus Potter]

On 31/07/2022 at 20:40, Novice894 said:

I’m considering purchasing a property but I’m unsure if the ceiling crack is anything to worry about, it’s like a staircase crack on the ceiling, starting above the window (I can’t see if the crack starts on the wall as it’s covered by wallpaper), and goes across to the corner of the chimney breast, a section of it seems to have a slighter wide crack.

Good question.

 

You see this cracking pattern often in houses in the 50's to late 60,s where they did not put in noggings / dwangs in the ceilngs.

 

To give confidence in the photo you have posted I would look at some other things as a starting point.

 

Go outside and see if the outside walls have any cracks. Has the attic space if any been " converted"

 

Are there any other cracks you can see inside.. around  the window and door openings.

 

Do all the doors and windows open and shut ok? When you walk over the floors do they feel level?

 

Have a look at the other houses round about. Has this house been altered in some way? Often you can dig up similar house floor plans that have been on the market and compare with yours.

 

If so post some photos.

 

Hope this helps give you some pointers and will hopefully help reassure.

 

All the best.

 

 

 

 

[Novice894]

Thank you everyone, that’s reassuring. I’ll take a further look when I’m viewing the house again tomorrow.

[saveasteading]

First impressions as others. an are of ceiling has been replaced using 2 boards. Why the joints should appear is not clear, and worth looking for clues, as Gus suggestions.

My guess is that the joints are not fixed over joists, or enough. 

The worry would be if the repair was done for a reason that has recurred.

The best outcome is that it needs more screws into the joists, and perhaps noggins the other direction.