Hairline crack appeared in ceiling

Absolutely

I'll try to summarise:

- 20 year old semi detached house

- daughters bedroom, at the back of the house joins neighbours bedroom

- hairline crack (about 20cm long) has appeared today in daughters bedroom ceiling

- it's towards the corner of the wall which adjoins next door, but the crack doesn't actually reach as far as the corner

- it is definitely a new crack.

- the bedroom has not been decorated, painted or replastered recently

Is this anything to worry about? I was just going to fill and paint over it.

Daughter has made me move her bed because she believes the ceiling is about to go crashing down over her! I've poked and prodded the ceiling and there's no 'give' or visible damp.

Asking next door if he has a problem with his ceiling is a no-go. He hates me

Ideas??

Leif

It's normal. Cracks appear due to settlement, and slight movement. Your ceiling is probably plasterboard with a plaster skim, and movement of the roof joists can cause a crack, when for example someone walks in the roof space. Fill and paint!

Absolutely

Really? Settlement even though the house is 20yrs old? I do know the ceiling is plasterboard and skim as you say.

No-one has been walking on the joists but the back of the house (where her room is) gets the worst-end of the weather and we have been battered by wind these last few days.

It's really freaked my daughter out. I'm going to fill and repaint tomorrow.

Thanks again.:beer:

Jonesya

It doesn't sound like anything to worry about but if you're concerned why not take some measurements/photos of it and stick them in a drawer, check them again in 6 months to see if it has gotten worse.

TEDDYRUKSPIN

Sounds about right. Cracks in the walls are the worrying part!!! Subsidence. If you feel really paranoid, get a surveyor in.

daveyjp

Have you had the heavy winds? Roof timber movement can cause these sort of cracks. Keep an eye on it, but chances re it's nothing more than superficial.