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why is my ceiling bulging

by Liza O'Conner Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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  • Water stains or discolouration on your ceiling
  • Sagging or buckling in your ceiling
  • Termite ‘frass’ or fecal matter among your rafters
  • Tunnels or ‘mud tubes’ running up your chimney or external walls
  • Flying termites near windows or doors

Bulges in ceilings are typically caused by either of two things: improper installation of the ceiling materials or water leaks. Not only are they unsightly, ceiling bulges can also pose a hazard, particularly if the bulging material has forced the fasteners to loosen from the joists.

Full Answer

What causes ceiling seams to bulge?

In some cases, the seams running perpendicular to these also bulge. In other types of ceilings, such drywall, too much weight from insulation, exposure to prolonged humidity, an improperly installed vapor barrier, or the installation of ceiling panels that are too thin for the frame spacing can cause ceilings to bulge.

Can a bulging ceiling be repaired?

Bulging ceilings can be repaired, but you must identify and correct the cause of the problem first. Ceilings made using plaster applied over gypsum lath may develop what is called a shadow or bulge effect if the final coat of plaster is applied before the first coat is fully dry.

What does it mean when there is a bubble in ceiling?

A bubble or droop in drywall ceilings indicates that water is pooling in the ceiling, and this usually means the leak has not been resolved. Water-damaged ceilings are often repairable, but the source of the water must be addressed before you begin any repairs.

What causes bulges in drywall studs?

Bulges in drywall occur when shortcuts are taken or mistakes are made during the installation process. They may not become evident until much later. Bulges due to improper installation are often caused by overdriving fasteners or not securing the drywall to the studs properly.

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What does a bulge in the ceiling mean?

A sign of a water damaged ceiling is swelling or bubbling. The bulge in the ceiling may indicate that there is an accumulation of moisture in the wood and drywall that is trying to be released.

How do you fix a ceiling that is bulging?

Two solutions for a sagging ceiling Sagging in a ceiling may be caused by undersized drywall. You either have to replace 1/2-in. drywall with 5/8-in. or add furring strips and a second layer of 5/8-in. drywall.

What would cause a ceiling to bubble?

Ceiling water bubbles form when water gets into your ceiling and pooling creates enough pressure to cause the paint or plaster to bubble up. If left for an extended period of time, it can create water damage which you may see in other parts of your home like brickwork or walls.

How do you know if your ceiling has water damage?

Other than the obvious water leaking from your ceiling, some things to watch out for include:Slightly discolored spots -- usually copper, yellow, or brown.Peeling, cracking, or bubbling wall surfaces.Discolored growths.Odors indicative of mold or mildew.Stains on ceiling.Sagging ceiling.Bulging drywall.

Why does my ceiling have a bulge?

Typically these bulges are present in ceilings, but walls may also bulge if a significant amount of water has collected behind the drywall. You may also notice discoloration such as water stains if the leak has been present for a long period.

What does a drywall bulge mean?

Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Bulging drywall can indicate a leak in your plumbing, even if moisture is not present. Bulges in drywall occur when shortcuts are taken or mistakes are made during the installation process. They may not become evident until much later.

How to repair a bulge in a panel?

To repair this type of bulge, drill into the damaged area and remove the paper core that has swollen from the moisture. Patch the area with joint compound and allow this to dry. Sand the area smooth and repaint. Advertisement.

What happens when you drive drywall fasteners?

Driving fasteners into drywall with the wrong tool, overdriving them or not holding the drywall board so that it is securely against the studs while fastening can cause damage to the drywall paper and allow the moist joint compound to damage the core of the drywall panel.

What causes a sagging ceiling?

Here are five causes of a sagging or cracked ceiling, and what you can do about them. 1. Structural movement in the building. Building structures can move with seasonal temperature changes, and these movements can cause chaos if they’re not factored in when you build.

Why does my garage ceiling crack?

Garage ceilings can be exposed to more regular vibrations than other areas of your property. Power-operated roller doors and panel lift doors attached to the building can create sharp, repetitive movements that are transferred through to your ceiling. If these vibrations are repeated often enough, the continued stress can cause your garage ceiling to crack, warp or sag. This can cause greater issues when it comes to doors or windows being misaligned as a result of the movement in the ceiling.

What happens if you have water logged insulation?

Waterlogged insulation is incredibly heavy and, when it falls, can cause serious damage to not only your home and possessions but also cause serious injury to your family. If you’re seeing a slow-growing patch of mould or stains on your ceiling, these could be signs of a leak in your roof.

Can a leaking roof cause damage to the ceiling?

Water damage from a leaking roof can cause huge issues for your ceiling. If you have just a few litres of water soaking into your insulation fibre, this amounts to tens of kilograms of weight piled onto your ceiling plasterboard, pushing it further and further towards breaking point. Waterlogged insulation is incredibly heavy and, when it falls, can cause serious damage to not only your home and possessions but also cause serious injury to your family.

Can termites cause a ceiling to collapse?

Termites can cause huge structural damage with few symptoms. They can easily destroy load-bearing timber structures, causing ceilings and walls to sag, crack or even collapse.

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1.A Bulge in the Ceiling | Hunker

Url:https://www.hunker.com/13414058/a-bulge-in-the-ceiling

19 hours ago When the ceiling looks like it is bulging out, it means there is an accumulation of moisture into the wood and drywall. This can be dangerous at times because if the water continually collects, the ceiling can collapse in that specific area. Is a sagging ceiling dangerous? If left alone, a sagging ceiling can cause safety and health hazards. If the damage was from water, pieces of …

2.Raised bulge lines on ceiling - Home Improvement Stack …

Url:https://diy.stackexchange.com/questions/176281/raised-bulge-lines-on-ceiling

15 hours ago Bulges in ceilings are typically caused by either of two things: improper installation of the ceiling materials or water leaks. Not only are they unsightly, ceiling bulges can also pose a hazard, particularly if the bulging material has forced the fasteners to loosen from the joists.

3.Bulging in the wall and ceiling - Houzz

Url:https://www.houzz.com/discussions/6110540/bulging-in-the-wall-and-ceiling

32 hours ago Why is my ceiling bulging? Bulges in ceilings are typically caused by either of two things: improper installation of the ceiling materials or water leaks . Not only are they unsightly, ceiling bulges can also pose a hazard, particularly if the bulging material has forced the fasteners to …

4.What Are the Causes of Drywall Bulge? - Hunker

Url:https://www.hunker.com/12608544/what-are-the-causes-of-drywall-bulge

19 hours ago June 05, 2016 06:42 PM. When walking through a house, ceilings that bulge downward bulge for a reason. In this case there were new light fixtures installed in the bathroom ceiling. A new fan was also installed. And the ceiling nearby bulged downward dramatically. Knowing what I was seeing I broke out Mighty Mo.

5.Reddit - Dive into anything

Url:https://www.reddit.com/r/whatisthisthing/comments/7tagmq/why_is_my_ceiling_bulging/

4 hours ago  · Almost all he rooms are starting to form these raised bulges lines from wall to wall on the ceiling. They are raised and don't move when pushed on. I'm at a loss. 12-14-19 update So the raised lines on the ceiling only seem to be getting worse. Protruding more than before.

6.Five Reasons Your Ceiling is Sagging - Mott Group

Url:https://mott.com.au/news/five-reasons-ceiling-sagging/

20 hours ago Yes I think it is quite concerning. Could just be sloppy work (definitely should be and can be fixed). If the bulging in the ceiling and wall are in line (ie ceiling bulge runs to the wall bulge) I would be wondering why and even more concerned. Confining much of your storage to one wall offers advantages, as these stylish designs show.

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