ceiling cracks

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gmack

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I'm new to the forum and had a basic question about plaster cracks in our home. We have noticed several new cracks in the ceiling of our living room. We are certain they are the result of wood floor work upstairs, but wanted to get some opinions. The building is 100 years old. The upstairs room is large (15*20) with a 2" sag in the floor. There are no supports except for the joists between the two levels. Is it possible for the vibrations from refinishing wood floors upstairs to cause cracks in the ceiling below? Thanks for any info.
Glenn
 
Welcome to the forum, if it's the original ceiling, the vibrations may have loosened the lime plaster from the laths. You should maybe give those areas a gentle push or tap to see whether they are hollow. It may be just a coincidence that the cracks appeared during the works, or it could have been the straw that broke the Camel's back. I'm not going to point the finger of blame but it sounds like you're wanting us to say that it is the case.
 
I once did a ceiling for a customer. His original lath and lime ceiling had cracks all over it when he removed the wall paper. I suggested that it was best to take down the ceiling and re-board or over-board but the he didn't want the former because it would make a mess of his house and he didn't want the latter because it would have meant he lost the profile on his original coving. He made the decision to just skim.

A few weeks later he phoned me to say that a few cracks had appeared and I made it clear to him that when I was removing my tools one evening, his neighbours upstairs were at it like rabbits. He must have been really well hung to cause that kind of damage or had his ceiling seen quieter days?
 
not quite sure if its original. bought the place two months ago and I'm quite certain the cracks were not there at that time.
 
I'm not trying to point the finger at anyone, but the floor guys said it was impossible for the sander to create that kind of vibration. Just curious??
 
It's going to be very difficult for you to prove that the sanding caused the cracks. Why don't you go upstairs and have a chat with your neighbour?
 
depends on the floor sander, industrial ones send vibrations into the floor, check your lease agreement , they may need to have carpet on their floors to prevent noise. AS minh says impossible to prove...
 
johniosaif said:
depends on the floor sander, industrial ones send vibrations into the floor, check your lease agreement , they may need to have carpet on their floors to prevent noise. AS minh says impossible to prove...
Click to expand...

You also have to consider whether the cost of litigation outweighs the cost to fix the ceiling. Well, I might as well say that's a definite yes. You'll also end up wasting a lot more of your time over a few hundred quid.
 
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Before you try the litigation route, I suggest you try to solve it diplomatically. Knock on this door. If he's half your size, then you know what to do, but if he's twice your size, just lump it and ask him how his floor looks.
 
You can overboard and keep the cove up , I us a inch packer or wot ever distance you want off the cove , board the ceiling and use the stop beads that reach around the edge of the board , if anything it gives a extra piece to the cornice
 
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