Something is happening to my ceiling and I don't know what is causing it...

[Vee711]

Hi

Sorry - this is my first post and I'm frantically asking around to see if anyone knows anything before I pay stupid $ for someone to tell me what's wrong and then more to fix. And my apologies if this is in the wrong section.

So I have noticed these 'creases' in the ceiling for some time (about a year ago) but didn't think much of it - just thought it was due to the house being old (about 15-20 years old - we are original owners). But recently, I noticed that there were more of it along other areas of the ceiling.

Now I'm starting to worry because I'm afraid that the ceiling might suddenly fall.

Does anyone know what it is and how it can be fixed? Is it a DIY job or should I get a professional?

A relative thinks it might be water damage, in which case I might have to call insurers (I'm hoping its not....)

 

[Steve123]

Does not look like water damage to me.
My guess is that some ceiling joists or trusses have moved a little, possibly due to drying.
I would be prudent to climb up in the attic and take a look for anything unusual, but otherwise, I would not worry too much.
Water would damage the drywall, so it would be soft and flaky, which you could see if you picked at it with a knife.
A drywall guy could fix that.

 

[Vee711]

Thanks for your reply. That's reassuring.

Could you also have a look at this? I just noticed it in our garage. Is this the same issue or is it water/moisture damage?

 

[Steve123]

The garage one just looks like a not so good drywall job to start with (which is typical - they don't do level 5 drywall in the garage).
And then has weathered. Garage drywall takes more of a beating because it is more or less open to the elements.

 

[Vee711]

The garage one just looks like a not so good drywall job to start with (which is typical - they don't do level 5 drywall in the garage).
And then has weathered. Garage drywall takes more of a beating because it is more or less open to the elements.

I think its the same thing that's happened to our backyard patio. The ceiling for it collapsed and I had someone come in and assess it - they said it was due to the wrong material being used (the same material that you would use for indoors) and so its soaked up a lot of moisture and collapsed.

Guess, I'm gonna need to need to find someone to assess/repair the garage ceiling at least? I'm just hoping it doesn't collapse anytime soon...

 

[Sparky617]

It all looks like a poor drywall job. I would start by pushing up on the drywall at the ceiling joists to make sure it is snug to the joist. Add drywall screws to pull it tight, but use a dimpler to make sure you don't over drive the screw. Once it breaks through the paper its holding power is gone. Then the joints need an additional coat of drywall mud. If this is beyond your skillset, a good handyman could do it. Many painters also do drywall work. Ceilings are the most unforgiving surface, lighting causes shadows that highlights imperfections and there isn't any furniture or art to break up the big expanse.

A dimpler
https://www.amazon.com/Magnetic-Pos...aWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl&th=1

 

[joecaption]

Just looks like a really bad drywall job and someone did not apply a second coat of paint over the primer to me.

 

[user 4883]

Looks like a 1 coat of mud and paint. I say that because of all the indents. The mud will shrink when dry. Secure all your seams with drywall screws, re-tape, mud, sand, prime and paint to finish.

 

[tomtheelder2020]

What Sparky said. Just doing first drywall repair myself. Ceiling drywall VERY challenging for beginner but garage is good place to learn. I got pack of 4 drywall screw dimplers from HD for $5. Where drywall tape is loose I would pull it off instead of trying to cover it up.

 

[Sparky617]

What Sparky said. Just doing first drywall repair myself. Ceiling drywall VERY challenging for beginner but garage is good place to learn. I got pack of 4 drywall screw dimplers from HD for $5. Where drywall tape is loose I would pull it off instead of trying to cover it up.

Starting on the garage walls would be a good place to hone your skills.

 

[Vee711]

Thanks for all the replies. The house was built about 15-20 years ago so I won't be surprised if the builder cheaped out back then or standards have changed. Are there any DIY videos I can watch? I just want to make sure I'm doing the right thing if I were to do this myself. I am not familiar with home rectification/renovations/improvements

 

[Sparky617]

Thanks for all the replies. The house was built about 15-20 years ago so I won't be surprised if the builder cheaped out back then or standards have changed. Are there any DIY videos I can watch? I just want to make sure I'm doing the right thing if I were to do this myself. I am not familiar with home rectification/renovations/improvements

No, it was just a crappy drywall job. My house is 22 years old and I don't have anything like that with my drywall, not even my garage seams look that bad.]

YouTube has a lot of videos on taping and mudding. It takes some tools that will last forever for a DIYer. Get practice in your garage.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=drywall+taping+and+mudding

 

[Spicoli43]

Thanks for all the replies. The house was built about 15-20 years ago so I won't be surprised if the builder cheaped out back then or standards have changed. Are there any DIY videos I can watch? I just want to make sure I'm doing the right thing if I were to do this myself. I am not familiar with home rectification/renovations/improvements

Ceiling water damage will show a stain like these images...

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=ceiling+water+damage&iax=images&ia=images

 

[Vee711]

No, it was just a crappy drywall job. My house is 22 years old and I don't have anything like that with my drywall, not even my garage seams look that bad.]

YouTube has a lot of videos on taping and mudding. It takes some tools that will last forever for a DIYer. Get practice in your garage.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=drywall+taping+and+mudding

Thanks for the video. So add some drywall screws, mud and tape. Got it. Looks like this is going to take some time

 

[Sparky617]

Thanks for the video. So add some drywall screws, mud and tape. Got it. Looks like this is going to take some time

You need to see if the drywall is firmly attached to the ceiling, any movement and the problem will just return.