# Ceiling Cracks You Should Worry About > Do you find it difficult to decipher if ceiling cracks pose a serious threat to the structural integrity of your foundation? _Brian Dalinghaus ยท 2022-03-25_ Video: [How Big of a Crack Should a Homeowner Have Addressed?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lU6_kaTqKsM) --- Do you find it difficult to decipher if ceiling cracks pose a serious threat to the structural integrity of your foundation? Do you know the signs and symptoms of foundation settlement that may indicate your ceiling cracks are more serious than you previously believed? **If you're concerned about your ceiling cracks and want to know how to gauge their severity, this article is for you.** Dalinghaus has been in the foundation repair business since 2011 and has completed more than 2,000 foundation projects in that time. We've witnessed our fair share of ceiling cracks, hairline to grotesque, and we know the importance of diagnosing the immediate cause. This article covers 2 types of ceiling cracks you should absolutely worry about and why any kind of ceiling crack is compounded by signs and symptoms of foundation settlement. ## 2 Types of Ceiling Cracks to Worry About Not all ceiling cracks are created equal, some are definitely more serious than others. However, one thing all ceiling cracks have in common is that they are symptomatic of a bigger, deeper issue. Here are two ceiling cracks to worry about and their likely origins. Ceiling cracks accompanied by brown or yellow stains are almost always indicative of water damage. Water damage cracks are caused by leaking roofs or a busted pipe. **Water damage cracks need to be taken seriously because if the source of the leak has not been addressed, the damage will continue.** While water damage ceiling cracks don't pose a direct threat to the structural integrity of your home, unmitigated moisture (the original culprit) can result in black mold, mildew, and electrical damage. Mold can cause serious complications to your health, especially if you're asthmatic or immune-compromised. ## Large Ceiling Cracks With a Bowed Ceiling These cracks are impossible to miss. Large ceiling cracks tend to be thick, ugly fissures that zip straight down the middle of your ceiling and are often accompanied by bowed ceilings. **Large ceiling cracks are indicative of serious structural damage.** The structural integrity could be compromised due to extreme water damage, foundation settlement, or simply too much weight enforced on the ceiling above. If your ceiling is beginning to concave, literally, it poses a serious safety hazard. **While water damage ceiling cracks and large ceiling cracks pose serious complications on their own, other types of "less benign" cracks can still be legitimate reasons for concern if accompanied by signs and symptoms of foundation settlement.** Check out our guide on [[service:foundation-crack-repair|vertical wall crack repair]] and our article on [[post:vertical-wall-cracks-causes-and-repair-options|what causes vertical wall cracks]]. ## Ceiling Cracks & Signs and Symptoms of Foundation Settlement Obviously, there are more types of ceiling cracks than the two listed above. A short list of other types of ceiling cracks include: - Hairline ceiling cracks - Straight ceiling cracks - Spiderweb ceiling cracks - Cracks between the ceiling and wall **These cracks, on their own, do not pose a serious threat to the structural integrity of your home.** Note, to learn more about what causes these types of ceiling cracks and how to fix them, read our guide to [[sign:ceiling-gaps|cracks in your ceiling]]. The truth is every kind of ceiling crack should be taken more seriously when discovered in conjunction with other [[post:signs-foundation-issues|signs and symptoms of foundation settlement]]. **Signs and Symptoms of Foundation Settlement:** - Bowed/sloped floors ( _i.e._ does a golf ball roll across the ground when gently set down?) - Drywall cracks - Stairstep cracks in your stucco - Doors and windows that are difficult to open or close / frames out of alignment - Chimneys separating from your home - Cracked slab on grade foundations The more of these signs and symptoms you have together, the more likely your home is suffering from foundation settlement. To learn more, read our guide to [[sign:drywall-cracks|foundation issue warning signs]]. ## Get an Educated Opinion In this article, you learned that water-damage ceiling cracks and large ceiling cracks accompanied by bowed ceilings require immediate attention. You also learned that all ceiling cracks, no matter how great or small, should be carefully scrutinized when other signs and symptoms of foundation settlement are apparent. Dalinghaus Foundation Repair has serviced hundreds of foundations in **[Southern California](/service-area/)** and **[Arizona](/service-area/)**. If you're ready to determine why you have ceiling cracks and want to rule out foundation settlement, book a free evaluation now. ## Schedule a Free Evaluation Foundation movement is easier to judge in person than from a photo. [Schedule a free evaluation](/contact-us/) and a Dalinghaus specialist will walk the property with you and explain what the evidence shows.