Cracks emerging around sag in ceiling - what to do?

[macaodh]

Hello,

Just over two years ago when we bought our house, the structural survey revealed the following in relation to the front main bedroom:

The ceiling showed some cracking which has been crudely repaired and would require professional attention. The ceiling itself appears to sag around the bed area and ultimately probably requires levelling by installing hangers within the roof space and then the ceiling being professionally replastered.

We hired a plasterer who said he struggled to push up the sag although he did the best he could. The improvement to the sag wasn't perfect but it did look better and the plastering for the whole ceiling was very professional (to my untrained eye, at least). Anyway, just today I have noticed hairline cracks emerging around one side of the sag closest to the chimney. I hope the photos below help illustrate the problem. We would like to get this fixed once and for all; and my other half is afraid the ceiling will fall in (... I won't lie, I wouldn't like this happening either!) Any suggestions what the problem could be, should we be concerned, and how can we fix it?!

BedroomCeiling1.jpg (33.75 KiB) Viewed 2153 times

BedroomCeiling2.jpg (53.37 KiB) Viewed 2153 times

BedroomCeiling3.jpg (32.79 KiB) Viewed 2153 times

Many thanks,
J. Macaodh.

[Ken010]

Do you know if the ceiling is Lath and Plaster?

The original survey notes the need for "Hangers" to give support to this area of ceiling, what is the state of the joists above? any chance of an Image of them?

Ken

[wes56]

The "plasterer" is a poor plasterer and gives bad advice.
You find out if the ceiling is flat and well fixed before any skimming.
If the ceiling is sagging and has cracks then you find out why its sagging.
Propping the ceiling back to level is a simple matter - so is screwing up all boards to joists.
All cracks are double match screwed and taped.

You go in the loft to determine if the joists are undersize for span and ceiling weight, and if they are firmly fixed.
If necessary, Binders and dropped Hangers will keep the joisting in plane.
Joist framing, or Trimming as its called, around the chimney breast is all framed with double joists.

Typically there's no danger of ceiling collapse.

[macaodh]

Thanks for the replies.

As for Ken010's questions:

Do you know if the ceiling is Lath and Plaster?; what is the state of the joists above? any chance of an Image of them?

Please see the photos below which I hope aid your insights. Please note that over this section of the bedroom ceiling is a platform constructed by the previous owner, which is composed mainly of connected pieces of chipboard mounted on loft stilts. This has hinded my access a little - if the photos do not provide sufficient detail please let me know and I'll figure out an alternative means of getting better quality photos. I don't think the ceiling is Lath and Plaster; in photo 2, I have peeled back the insulation, which is sitting on a bed of small rubble; Under this rubble (if that's the appropriate word) is a flat solid piece which I assume is the celing? (The piece of grey/white debris resting on the insulation is old plaster which is falling from the old roof).

1.jpg (73.85 KiB) Viewed 2121 times

2.jpg (147.24 KiB) Viewed 2121 times

Thanks we56:

You go in the loft to determine if the joists are undersize for span and ceiling weight, and if they are firmly fixed.
If necessary, Binders and dropped Hangers will keep the joisting in plane.

To be perfectly honest, I have no idea what any of this means - way over my head.

[macaodh]

This has hinded my access a little

Meant to read as "This has hindered my access a little"

[macaodh]

Just wondering if anyone has any further comments on this? Thanks.