What Causes Ceilings to Crackle?

Normal House Settling

• As a house settles into its foundation, the walls and roof beams will move slightly. This is perfectly normal and is very common in newer homes. A house can settle as much as a 1/4 inch per year, depending on the type of soil and the amount of rainfall in that area. As the walls move, this puts stress on the ceiling and small cracks can appear. You may also notice these cracks above doors and windows.

Ceiling Load Issues

• The amount of weight the ceiling joists support can also cause crackling patterns to appear. This is common with plaster ceilings. Plaster is a heavy material, and over time, it can crack and then sag. If old ceiling materials are not removed and are merely covered up with new drywall, this can also stress the ceiling joists. Snow loads on the roof can even cause problems with ceilings, especially if the roof is old or the snow is particularly heavy.

Water Damage and Leaks

• Water can leak through the roof onto the top of the ceiling, and it may take months before you notice a problem. Plumbing leaks in two-story houses can also cause issues with the ceiling. Drywall can become water-logged and will begin to crack over time. This is a serious problem that needs to be addressed before the ceiling collapses. If you notice water damage in conjunction with cracking, or if you hear loud cracking noises, contact a ceiling contractor to inspect the home.

Other Causes

• Crackling noises in the ceiling can usually be traced to the house settling or even to weather patterns. The wood joists in a home react to heat and cold, expanding or contracting. This causes crackling-like noises. If you hear crackling and it is accompanied by dust or by cracks that suddenly appear, this indicates there is a serious problem in the ceiling. Small noises, however, are common and should not be cause for concern.