Ceiling crack

[87tweetybirds]

Is this an issue? What do I do about it? I'm hoping to be able to avoid large expenses, but don't want to overlook this if it could mean structural issues.
We've been in the house for about a year and I noticed this crack starting mid December and it's just kept growing. It's not very wide but growing across the ceiling in our kitchen and dining room.
Share your knowledge/experience  please?

[GrowingTheGreen]

How wide? Less than 1/16th? If so, you're more than likely good. So many houses, including my own, settle over time. I've got cracks larger than that in structural block and we had an engineer examine them. He said we were totally good.

[tjalexander]

I think you are good. It looks like a hairline crack that is fairly straight. I would say it runs along where two drywall pieces meet and is a frequent occurrence as the house settles.

[lthenderson]

What the others said. It is a small crack and in a straight line so probably along a seam in the drywall. I would just monitor for the time being. If you get annoyed with it, you can patch cracks but on a textured ceiling, it is a lot of work and takes a good amount of skill to match so it isn't noticeable.  Also, if you house settles some more, the patch can crack again leaving you right back at the beginning.

[87tweetybirds]

How wide? Less than 1/16th? If so, you're more than likely good. So many houses, including my own, settle over time. I've got cracks larger than that in structural block and we had an engineer examine them. He said we were totally good.

It's not even 1/32 of an inch. Really just a hairline crack. So I guess just watch it and when we get ready to sell someday have it patched. I remember watching a plaster guy fix a wall in my mom's house when I was a little girl. I'm not so skilled to think I could match it across a ceiling. Thanks.

[Another Reader]

I had this happen in a newer structure, only the crack was wider.  The painter said the problem was in the ceiling joists that were shrinking and twisting slightly, breaking the taped seams.  Sent a handyman up on the attic and he installed a couple of braces between the joists.  The painter then patched, textured and painted the ceiling.  So far, no recurrence.

[tjalexander]

If it bothers you, use DAP Dynaflex  Premium Indoor/Outdoor Sealant along the crack to seal it without having to patch/texture/paint.

[Fishindude]

You don't have much of a problem there, but the it is a challenge to repair a textured ceiling surface like that in a manner so that the repair is unnoticeable.
I would probably mud & tape over the crack with joint compound and perforated drywall tape, then re-texture to blend it in.   Getting the new textured repair area to blend with existing will be challenging.   When you have the repair looking good, re-paint.

[paddedhat]

Not an issue in the least, and not something a home inspector would even bother with, when you decide to sell. It's a result of "settling" which is a misnomer, as it's actually the result of the structure drying out and moving. If you do decide to repair it, it's critical to not rip and tear at the area in a effort to patch it.  You will never get good results with a long patch on a textured ceiling.  If you caulk it, be sure to smush the caulk into the crack and not leave any on the surface. I have seen many repairs to textured interiors and stucco that would of looked a lot better if they had never been touched. Largely due to those that think a big bead of caulk, on top of a tiny crack, is the way to go. It ends up looking like an odd, bulging vein, after it's painted.

I would handle this in the easiest possible way, ignore it.

[paddedhat]

You don't have much of a problem there, but the it is a challenge to repair a textured ceiling surface like that in a manner so that the repair is unnoticeable.
I would probably mud & tape over the crack with joint compound and perforated drywall tape, then re-texture to blend it in.   Getting the new textured repair area to blend with existing will be challenging.   When you have the repair looking good, re-paint.

I guarantee that nine of ten DIY attempts to do what you propose will end up looking like shit smeared on a white horse, and will look FAR worse that if the whole thing was left alone.  IF I was a smooth ceiling, the results might be better, but the crack will return, they always do.

[Shinplaster]

We had a similar crack in the ceiling in a backsplit we used to own, although a little shorter than yours.   I knew I would never get the texture right if I sanded it down and did a "proper" repair, but I hated seeing it every day.  I used paintable latex caulk, which dries to a matte finish, not shiny.  Using a toothpick, I worked a tiny bit of the caulk into the crack a few inches at a time, and then used a bit of sponge to 'texture' it before it dried.  The latex allowed the caulk to flex, and that repair lasted for 8 years until we sold the house.  It's probably still fine!

[Fishindude]

I guarantee that nine of ten DIY attempts to do what you propose will end up looking like shit smeared on a white horse, and will look FAR worse that if the whole thing was left alone

Funny !
Agreed .... this should not be taken on by someone that doesn't have some skills in this area.

[CATman]

Everyone is is pretty spot on. I see these in the field all the time and it's nothing to be concerned about. It could be a variety of issues causing it, but I don't suspect anything major. Most likely just settling like someone else pointed to. I will agree that matching a textured ceiling can be difficult, but if you're inclined, give it a shot. At the very worst have a pro come and touch it up best they can. Or if it really doesn't bother you and you're not planning on selling soon then I'd just leave it as is.

[JAYSLOL]

Was I the only one that was scrolling through the DIY category and read the subject as "Selling Crack"?

[Manguy888]

Was I the only one that was scrolling through the DIY category and read the subject as "Selling Crack"?

Me too!!! The ultimate DIY project