Know Your Ceiling Cracks in Kansas City, MO
Many homeowners want to know if ceiling cracks are caused by structural issues or aging homes. All homes, regardless of when they were built, will experience foundation movement. It can be caused by soil shrinkage or expansion from fluctuating temperatures. It can also be caused by settlement underneath the home's foundation. As a result, cracks slowly appear throughout walls and the ceiling making your home look unsightly. At Pro Foundation, we can help you know the difference in ceiling cracks so you can help preserve the value of your home.
Age-related Cracks
- Spiderweb Cracks: These type of cracks are common throughout the home. They can form on ceilings as well as walls, floors and slabs. If they get wider than 1/16 inches, then they could indicate structural damage.
- Cracks Along the Ceiling Edges or Above Interior Windows/Doors: Cracks that form along the ceiling edges or above window/doors are a normal location for usually harmless.
Structural Damage Cracks
- Bowing or Dipping Ceiling Accompanied with Cracks: Bowing ceilings with cracks indicate major structural issues. The home's structure becomes, making the ceiling sag.
- Cracks with 45 Degree Angle: These cracks indicate movement and shifting.
- Matching Vertical Cracks: Cracks that run across the ceiling and along the wall need immediate attention.
- Stair, Jagged, Multiple or V-shaped Cracks: These type of cracks indicate structural issues that need immediate attention.
- Cracks Across the Middle: Wide, long cracks that form across the middle of a room indicate structural damage.
If you are curious about your ceiling cracks, measure the width of the cracks. If they are wider than 1/4 inch, they could be serious. Also, inspect the location of the crack. Horizontal cracks along the joints of walls and ceilings indicate roof truss problems. These types of cracks could damage your home's structural because they detach from walls. Look for signs of water leaks or seepage from the crack. You may notice discolorations or soft spots on the walls.
Ceiling Crack Solutions
What causes ceiling cracks? Most ceiling cracks are caused by the following issues:
- Too much moisture
- Too much weight and force from upper-level floors
- Foundation settling
- Ignoring ceiling cracks
- Water leaks
- Truss uplift
- Plaster ceilings cracks that are more than 1/8 inch wide
- Water blemishes or discolorations
To fix ceiling cracks, we offer foundation repair products such as steel piers. Our steel piers are made by Earth Contact Products (ECP), the leading manufacturer in the underpinning industry. They are designed to withstand heavy loads and support sinking foundations by lifting the foundation back to its original position.
Don't ignore your ceiling cracks. Give our professionals a call today so we can give you peace of mind. We serve the residents in Kansas City, Marshall, Columbia and the surrounding area. Get a free estimate today!
Filed under Common Structural Problems, Foundation Repair
Tags: ECP, Foundation settlement