Roof Sagging Some Cracks In The Plaster

Cracks on a sagging or bowed ceiling.

Roof sagging some cracks in the plaster.

Whether you patch or replace the sagging plaster depends on the extent of the damage. This is a sign of structural damage usually related to a weak wall stud or perhaps something that was jarred loose in an earthquake or the settling of the home over time. A sagging plaster ceiling typically indicates damage behind the plaster at the base of the roof itself. If you have wider cracks or sections of loose plaster the lath system beneath the plaster is likely failing in which case the plaster should be removed and replaced with drywall.

However the ceiling will need to be replaced if the entire section is sagging. Broken lath and other such damage also allow plaster sections to pull away from the ceiling. Use your drill to drive the screw into the sagging plaster a few inches from the edge of any holes you created in step 1. If a ceiling is bowed sagging or dropped down then the reason may relate to a structural issues.

If you have a rough texture or sanded plaster you can add some sand to your spackle or use a sponge to match the texture as closely as possible. If it s not repaired the plaster ceiling can collapse. Spacing of ceiling joist or trusses. If the ceiling joists or trusses supporting the ceiling drywall is spaced too far apart then sagging may result and the stress from this may create cracks.

Left untreated ceiling cracks will enlarge or the weight of a sagging plaster ceiling can pull the surrounding ceiling down with it. If you have sags in a plaster ceiling press upward on the area with the flat of your hand. Water leaks will cause the wood of the lath that holds plaster to become soft and then cup and bow allowing the plaster to sag. Earthquakes are unkind to plaster walls as evidenced by this deep crack.

Again the size of the. If the plaster feels spongy or gives under your hand pressure it s a sign that the key strength has been lost. Spread drop cloths on the floor and set a sturdy stepladder under the section of the ceiling you want to repair. Insert a 1 5 8 inch drywall screw through the center of a plaster washer.

Settlement cracks if a part of the house is sagging you may find converging cracks running across your plaster walls. Yes you ll want to patch and fill these cracks but address the bigger issue of foundation problems first. In addition water damage from roof or plumbing leaks can discolor plaster and cause peeling or efflorescence the leaching of salts and minerals to the surface.