I live in a stone house from '66. Poured slab in the basement, then built with concrete blocks and poured vaults on both the ground floor and upstairs. Tonight, while I was watching TV, I noticed a substantial crack in the ceiling on the ground floor (the vault over the ground floor). I began to look closer in strong light and saw that exactly where the crack is, the ceiling has been plastered. The crack runs (so far) where you can sense it had been plastered over before. What is happening to my house? I can understand that everything has settled over time, the house is 40 years old. But why this crack now!?
I find it really scary. I haven't tampered with the crack so I can't say anything about how big it is, but I suspect it's not even a millimeter gap, although it is very noticeable in the ceiling as the plaster and paint have cracked open. The length is about a meter with some small cracks at one end that branch out.
We'll see tomorrow if the cracks are bigger than they were yesterday (marked with pencil). I think it's really scary, especially since I've broken up drainage in the same vault but at the other end of the house. However, I don't really see any connection between the breaking and the cracks, they are many meters apart and not in the same directions as the old drainage pipes I broke up.
What should/can I do? If the cracks become larger than the areas that are currently plastered, what should be done?
I find it really scary. I haven't tampered with the crack so I can't say anything about how big it is, but I suspect it's not even a millimeter gap, although it is very noticeable in the ceiling as the plaster and paint have cracked open. The length is about a meter with some small cracks at one end that branch out.
We'll see tomorrow if the cracks are bigger than they were yesterday (marked with pencil). I think it's really scary, especially since I've broken up drainage in the same vault but at the other end of the house. However, I don't really see any connection between the breaking and the cracks, they are many meters apart and not in the same directions as the old drainage pipes I broke up.
What should/can I do? If the cracks become larger than the areas that are currently plastered, what should be done?
So, you are sure it has appeared now? Where is it located, near a load-bearing wall or in the middle of the room? Parallel to the nearest support or across the support? Can't you upload a picture?
I would guess it's an old "dead" crack that has been filled a long time ago, and what has happened is simply that the filler has come loose due to the vibrations from the drilling. But of course, it's impossible to say without looking at it.
I would guess it's an old "dead" crack that has been filled a long time ago, and what has happened is simply that the filler has come loose due to the vibrations from the drilling. But of course, it's impossible to say without looking at it.
You again jon_h, are you hanging out in all the forums?jon_h said:
Yes, I am completely sure that it wasn't there before.
It goes from the outer wall towards the middle of the living room. In the extension of the crack, you come to a new load-bearing wall. I'll see if any of the pictures I took yesterday are clear enough, it's hard to capture on camera.
That's my guess too, I looked this morning before going to work and there was no new development. All the cracks are also in the putty one can detect, so most likely it is an old crack.
There are some other cracks in the house, but they have been there a long time, and nothing suggested they were bad according to the surveyor who checked the house before the purchase.
I have no experience with what happens when drilling in concrete slabs, however, I thought the vibrations would travel as far as here. The area I drilled is about 4 meters from the crack, and the area I drilled is separated by at least one, possibly two load-bearing walls.
Hehe, yep. I am everywhere..
The vibrations spread throughout the entire slab, it's something terrible how chipping vibrates. But fill the crack with putty and you'll see immediately if it moves. If so, you'll have to figure out what's causing it.
The vibrations spread throughout the entire slab, it's something terrible how chipping vibrates. But fill the crack with putty and you'll see immediately if it moves. If so, you'll have to figure out what's causing it.
There you have it, I didn't think the vibrations propagated like that. Oh well, I'll attach a picture later and we'll see if it becomes clearer.jon_h said:
I'm completely on your side, it's clearly an old crack and it doesn't take much vibration for cracks between two surfaces to appear. You can see that on ordinary interior walls made of sheet material. A little poor reinforcement and whoops, the paint cracks open.
/PH
Here are two pictures... Incredibly difficult to get a good picture both of the entire crack and up close Hope they can contribute to an opinion...
Whole crack
Parts of the crack
Realized that 800px wide images were a bit on the broad side but hang in there =)
Hope they can contribute to an opinion...Whole crack
Parts of the crack
Realized that 800px wide images were a bit on the broad side but hang in there =)
As you say, hard to see. It doesn't seem to be a new crack, but it looks like putty that has come loose from an old one. I definitely think this is due to vibrations from the drilling. But as I said, dig it out and putty it again, and it will quickly show if there's any more movement.