My Ceiling Cracks Are Recurring

Causes

• If your ceiling is plastered and the plaster was applied too thick or dried too quickly, this can cause repeated cracking. Truss uplift also causes repeated cracking. As wood trusses shift from changes in the weather, they can take the ceiling up with them, causing cracks. If truss clips are used to connect the truss to drywall, uplift does not happen. Structural problems, such as clay soils that expand and beams that are too small, can cause these cracks.

Caulking a Ceiling

• Caulk stops cracks from plaster-related problems, because it can expand and contract without flaking. To repair these cracks, fill them in with adhesive or pliable caulk. For small cracks, push the caulk in with your finger, pressing it up to fill the crack. When the caulk dries, it will blend in with a white ceiling. New cracks can occur over time. Caulk them the same way to stop recurring cracking.

Fixing Truss Uplift

• Head to the attic and remove nails that connect ceiling trusses directly to the drywall. Use a nail puller. Place an L-shaped truss clip where the nail was, installing one end to the drywall and one end to the truss. Replace all nails this way, to put a stop to recurring ceiling cracking. You'll still need to patch existing cracks.

Tips

• Regulating the humidity inside your home can counteract seasonal wood shrinkage that could be leading to ceiling cracks. Install a humidifier and set it to run at 35 to 50 percent humidity to reduce wood movement that leads to repeat ceiling cracks. If your ceiling has truss clips already and you do not think the problem is connected to flaking plaster, seek professional help to diagnose structural problems.