It's crucial that the ceiling plaster in a home be stable and secure to keep everyone safe. However, the plaster is subject to various problems that need repairing. Here are several issues you might experience.
Water Damage
One issue you may have to deal with is water damage, which can result from things like leaky roof cladding and burst pipes. While you may need to address related problems such as these first, you shouldn't delay fixing the ceiling issue. Saturated plaster is heavy and tends to sag, and it may even collapse in some cases.
If the plaster is not being replaced, it must be dried out and appropriately treated to prevent mould growth. Mould can otherwise worsen indoor air quality. Look for discolourations, water stains, sagging, and peeling paint if you need to check whether your ceiling has moisture problems.
Plaster Cracks
Another type of repair you may come across is cracked ceiling plaster. The ceiling can come apart for various reasons, such as because the house's foundation settles unevenly and thus causes cracking as the plaster adjusts. Other causes are temperature fluctuations that provoke the plaster to expand and contract and wear and tear. If the plaster is installed unevenly, this can also lead to cracks.
The plaster ceiling repairs will depend on the severity of the cracks. If they're relatively minor, the contractor may apply a compound over the gap to seal and harden it. However, they may need to remove and replace the ceiling if it's extensively damaged.
Sagging Ceiling
A sagging ceiling can sometimes be immediately noticeable as you walk into a room, and it's not something you should ignore. Ceiling plaster can sag for various reasons, which could be structural. For example, the house itself may be unstable, or the timber beams holding up the ceiling may have rotted or been eaten by termites. The droop in the plaster could be an effect of heavy objects in the crawl space as well.
Before fixing a sagging ceiling, a contractor will evaluate the root cause and then recommend a solution. They may advise that you need newly built support beams for the plaster if the old ones are damaged. Or you may have to repair a hole in the cladding or resolve the house foundation issues. However, if the problem is with the plaster itself, they may simply fix or replace it.
Contact a professional to learn more about plaster ceiling repairs.
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