Hairline cracks in new build ceiling

CharlieBrown99 · Post by **CharlieBrown99** » Thu Nov 23, 2023 2:41 pm

Hi all,

I have a new build with a feature kitchen breakfast room. Its quite a big room (13m x 5.5m) and it has a number of hairline cracks where the platerboards meet. It was scrim taped (i watched the plasterers at work) but it still cracked out.
After speaking to the plasterer he advised channeling out the cracks and filling with easyfil, which i did and the finish was pretty good once painted. However, a month later the cracks have reappeared, grrrr.

Any advice on a permanent solution? Tape and reskim? Cross board and reskim?

The kitchen is not fitted yet so i'd rather take the plunge now rather than pay for a kitchen to be fitted and then try to get it done later and have to work around an expensive kitchen.

Any suggestions appreciated.

aeromech3 · Post by **aeromech3** » Thu Nov 23, 2023 4:02 pm

With such a size is there flexing from the floor above or some heavy footwork!

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Thu Nov 23, 2023 5:32 pm

Movement above can cause cracks. It might be worth talking to the plasterer about scrim taping the cracks and skimming over again. The initial skimming might have been a bit thin perhaps?

DWD

CharlieBrown99 · Post by **CharlieBrown99** » Tue Nov 28, 2023 12:43 pm

aeromech3 wrote: ↑Thu Nov 23, 2023 4:02 pm With such a size is there flexing from the floor above or some heavy footwork!

The house is not yet furnished and only me working onsite so unlikely to be through loading/flexing, more likely down to movement/settlement. It's a new stone built property so whether that makes any difference i don't know. No external signs of movement anywhere.

CharlieBrown99 · Post by **CharlieBrown99** » Tue Nov 28, 2023 12:50 pm

dewaltdisney wrote: ↑Thu Nov 23, 2023 5:32 pm Movement above can cause cracks. It might be worth talking to the plasterer about scrim taping the cracks and skimming over again. The initial skimming might have been a bit thin perhaps?

DWD

Will talk to plasterer regarding scrim and skimming over again, would thin skim make that much difference? If the cracks are caused by movement wouldn't it crack through regardless?
Deffo don't want it to reoccur and happy to pay for cross boarding and re-skim if that provides better protection against them reappearing. It's been a significant investment so far and for me it really detracts from a really nice room that we're likely to spend most of our time in.

oz0707 · Post by **oz0707** » Tue Dec 05, 2023 5:47 pm

What thickness boards were used and what centres are the joists? Were there noggins on the board joints and perimeter?