Help. Cracks appeared on most of the ceilings.

[Paranoidandroidmarvin]

Came home from being away for a few days. No heating. And we have had cracks appear on the ceilings in most of the rooms. We live in a bungalow.

is this a worry thing. If it is who do I get to come and have a look. Feeling rather sick now.

Been up in the loft. Not seeing anything.

The orange lines on the photos are shadows

Is it a new build?

Has it been recently plastered? We had a ceiling replastered and it developed hairline cracks a few months later. I think houses on clay move a tiny bit as the clay swells and dries out with the seasons. Just fill and repaint!

I would just call my insurers, explain the speed with which this has happened and get them so send someone to look.
They might monitor for 6 months to see if there is continued movement or if it was a one-off.

Have you had a lot of rain there while you’ve been away? I’d maybe get the roof looked at, see if there’s anywhere that could be letting water in.

Been in the loft ( not very big ) and it is totally dry. The extension on this was a few years ago before we bought it. Wondered if it is still settling

we had an extension in our kitchen 5 years ago, we have similar cracks in our ceiling. I think as you say it is the ceiling settling , it is unnerving.

If the heating was completely off during the sub zero, your plaster may have shrunk, stuff contracts when it gets too cold. Insurance advices to keep buildings heated to plus 12 degrees when away. I'd put the heating back on and monitor it. If they don't get bigger, you can just fill and repaint.

We have a few like this. In summer they disappear but in winter they reappear. They are only a mm or so and haven’t grown. A builder friend just said they are thermal and not to worry. I have pictures and took measurements just in case but haven’t changed in 2 years.