Ok thank you! Will get on it ASAP.

I'm kind of curious about this too. Are there normal "settling" cracks?

The crack in the picture is from our living room and there is a very similar one going across the ceiling of our master bedroom. I basically go between freaking out and telling myself it's normal settling lol.

Beth- I see that you are local to us (we're in Pasadena). Do you happen to recommend someone for the work? Just curious =)

Sorry Maria. I do not have a structural engineer that I've used. My husband is a GC. Let me see what he says or if he knows of someone.

Thank you soooo much!!!!

That looks more like bad drywall work than bad framing, but both need to be checked. Was the structural work approved, permitted, and inspected? If so the work may have already been specified by an engineer.

I thought the same thing (drywall) but then she mentioned that there are cracks in her bedroom where the drywall wasn't touched. I don't know how the bedroom relates to the house, if this is a two story, where the beam was added, if he cut joists,,etc. Was the work signed off by an inspector? too many unanswered questions to really say if it's bad drywall. plus it's been 2 years? how long before the cracks appeared? If it's drywall, I wouldn't think it would take 2 years to suddenly show.

Hi everyone! Okay- so I know, not good, but it was not permitted. So hence, our concerns. The house is single story. As for the master bedroom- the only things we did to it was add a large window, paint and change the light fixture to a chandelier. And the crack started showing up shortly after changing the light fixture. All of this work was done 2 1/2 years ago and the cracks have started showing up after the work was completed and have grown ever since. They started as small cracks and have grown.

Hmmm...ok...would that be the same person that could look at both? Or do I hire someone else for that?

did you happen to take any pics of the install of anything? anything while the walls or the ceiling was open?

I suggest you have a structural engineer come to the house to look at the beam size, condition, and its support. He'll know quickly how it works with the rest of the framing in the house. As to the window, the reasons for the cracking will likely be clearer once it is determined if the wall in which the window is located is taking the load of framing above it. If you added a larger window than the one that was there, it could be that the framing at the top of the window is now inadequate for the window span. We don't really know any of the specifics of the framing of the house, so it is difficult to comment properly. The structural engineer should be very helpful for you.

No, didn't take any pics =( ok, i'll contact a structural engineer ASAP. Thank you all soooo much!!!

chiquita,,,,so on the window. you went larger, right? do you know if they put in a different, stronger header beam? if they just went with what was there or used 2x4's, there probably isn't enough support and it's causing it sag, which would cause your cracks.

ditto for the beam in the ceiling. if they just used a 2X6, depending on the span, it might not have been large enough. maybe a 2x12 would have been warranted? without seeing what they used, it's hard to guess. But it sounds like insufficient support was used in both spots. That would cause 'sagging' which would cause shifting in the supports/drywall, hence your cracks.

Structural engineer can stop all your worrying with a good inspection and recommendations for remediation if needed. It seems structural to me based on growth progression, but without being there not sure. Also, are there cracks at the corners of the window you replaced angling up and away from the windows? That would indicate some settling. Just have to have a expert check it out. If it wasn't permitted, I would surely want it inspected now. Good, what I call "cheap sleep"! Also, if you ever go to sell this home, you have to disclose this condition and what was done to remediate it, so good to do it all the way around.

The large window that we added has a crack coming from the

That looks like a standard settling crack from the new window. The ones in the ceiling are more concerning, but you just have to get it checked out for sure.

Ok thank you!

Even if the work was not permitted structural engineer should still be hired. Every time you remove walls and replace them with beams the beams need to be calculated by the structural engineer, how does your contractor know what size beam to place... what a joke. That's what engineers are for and they also carry the liability insurance for such things. Hairline cracks all over the place from settling are absolutely not normal. Also if the beam is not big enough or not installed properly you are in serious danger in case of an earthquake.

"Every time you remove walls and replace them with beams the beams need to be calculated by the structural engineer, how does your contractor know what size beam to place... what a joke."

I designed, built, and installed a structural beam in my father-in-laws house. It was approved at its first inspection. Although I'm a licensed contractor in two states, I have no engineering background. Anyone who can read a span chart can calculate beam sizes. The engineering has already been done. It ain't all that.