How to fix crack in paint/ceiling where former wall was

2 years ago

To enlarge my parent's shower a wall to the adjoining room was moved ~12". The old popcorn finish was scraped from the ceiling and it was painted over; within days a crack appeared along the ceiling where the old wall was. The contractor says that this is due to shifting after the wall was moved; it was not a load-bearing wall. He says they can re-patch but it'll just happen again, and cited an example from another of his jobs where it reoccurred multiple times within weeks of re-patching.

He also said the crack could even widen.

I know this can happen over time, but right away? Is there a different product or way of patching to avoid this problem? It's hard to believe that this happens all the time whenever a wall is moved. If so, why would anyone remove walls during a reno?

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Comments (9)

PRO
HALLETT & Co.
2 years ago
Plaster or Sheetrock? How was the wall patched? Age of home?
PRO
DeWayne
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
It may not have been bearing up the roof, but I bet it was bearing up the ends of the ceiling joists. Which are now floating free, with no support on the ends. That equals drywall movement. Supporting a roof is not the only reason to put up a header.
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Ruth -Ann
Original Author
2 years ago
@DeWayne thanks for the explanation. So, other support for the joists would be needed to avoid this crack? This is over the shower area, which to me is more concerning.
Ruth -Ann
Original Author
2 years ago
@HALLETT & Co., it's drywall. House is 50 yrs. Could you explain your question a bit more. I didn't see how they patched the ceiling.
ci_lantro
2 years ago
Add another layer of drywall to the ceiling? Avoiding a seam where the crack is.

Post more pictures taken farther back...
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
2 years ago
" it was not a load-bearing wall."

You're sure about that?
cat_ky
2 years ago
It may be a good idea to have another contractor come in and check it out, before you do anything. It sounds very much, like you are lacking support, and cracking is the result. Could get worse in a hurry, so better to be safe than sorry.
Ruth -Ann
Original Author
2 years ago
Joseph Corlett - yes, that was checked before. As someone else indicated though, it may not be load bearing for the roof but for ceiling etc.
Ruth -Ann
Original Author
2 years ago
@cat_ky, that may be the case though I hope it's just poor workmanship. I may ask someone to check it out though.