Plaster cracks

WanderingPawn

I have a diagonal crack in a plaster ceiling on the 1st floor of an original Victorian (c.1890) rear extension i.e. the room above the kitchen. Crack runs from chimney breast to corner of the room. Hairline towards the wall, larger than hairline but not wide enough to insert 10p piece in the middle of the ceiling. Original sash-window has been replaces with smaller, modern double-glazed window. The plaster on one side of the crack is about 1 - 1.5 mm lower than the other and sounds a bit hollow. Some sections of brickwork in the rear wall. have been replaced in the past. All external masonry generally in good condition. Single storey extension with bathroom has (within last 10 years at a guess) been added downstairs behind the kitchen. Not sure if doorway to bathroom was original backdoor, or whether wall has been opened. Plan to call in surveyor. Am I doomed? Grateful for informed comment.

FreeBear

The new extension will (probably) have a plasterboard ceiling, and the older one (along with the rest of the house) will be lime plaster over lath - In particularly damp areas, the nails that secure the laths sometimes rust away. In other areas, cracks sometimes appear and are not usually anything to worry about.

If you press against the section of plaster that has dropped, there shouldn't be any movement. If there is, it is a fairly easy job to remove the affected area and replaster with lime. Hollow sounds when tapped is not unusual with lime plaster, and isn't anything to get worked up about.

trailingspouse

As the owner of a period property with original ceilings, all I can say is - just one crack?? You should be so lucky...