Ceiling collapsing and insurance

[lanadelgrey]

Ceiling looks like it‘s going to come down. Do I repair it out of my own pocket or claim on insurance, which I‘ve never done, and if so do I wait til it actually comes down. House has suffered in dry weather and I guess the ground shrinking

If the cause was one covered by your buildings insurance you should claim.

Sounds as if that is just general maintenance unless subsidence is the reason (which it could be)

which ceiling? what was the situation before? what's above?
what's actually the cause or suspected cause and why?

Insurance will send out an assessor to determine cause and work required, better now than when it has collapsed. You need to do what you can to mitigate the damage and cost of claim. If you want to check it out yourself first book a buildings surveyor.

Thank you

It‘s living room ceiling

It is unlikely subsidence will only affect one room,

What does it look like - is it sagging in the middle, or are there cracks round the edges?

Crack at the edge in one corner

Insurance, that’s what it’s for. Don’t think twice.

Picture?

Why now are you suddenly thinking its going to fall down?

Depends what’s causing it and whether that thing is covered by your insurance policy. You may as well ask them. They’ll tell you soon enough if it’s not covered.

Can you share a photo?
that sounds like normal movement and absolutely to worry about.

how old is the house? Is it detached, terraced…?

A crack at the edge in one corner does not mean the ceiling is going to fall down. Ceilings are not just attached to the wall around the edges of a room, they are fixed to the joists underneath the floor of the room above.

Cracks around the edge where the ceiling meets the wall are really common. There isn't a room in my house that doesn't have that.

How old is the house, and where (approximately) is it?

Has there been a water leak?

A water leak doesn’t normally cause a cracked ceiling but it might if it’s caused heave. How big is the crack? Could be normal shrinkage or heave. Any sign of damage on the exterior? Any trees been removed?

First job is to check whether the ceiling actually IS unstable. From what you describe, I suspect it isn't. My bedroom ceiling has had this crack for at least 40 years.

Have a word with your insurance company

If it’s a very old lathe and plaster ceiling, it won’t be covered, and is a horrible, dirty mess when it falls down, trust me.

That is what I have in mind.

crack at the edge of one corner and you think the ceiling is going to collapse??

not sure i believe you

Answers, and some photos, will avoid us having to guess.

Insurance covers you for "insurable events" rather than general maintenance. So if you have failed to maintain the house to a reasonable standard, it's not an event. However if a horse dropped out of the sky and came through the ceiling, you'd be covered.

Get on to your Insurance and tell them you are very concerned of the state of your ceiling and its possible imminent collapse.

You are not in a position to diagnose what caused this crack as youare not a Builder. It could be superficial or serious.

Do you have children? If so tell them this crack makes you even more worried when they go in the room.

So for peace of mind.

Can they get a surveyor/assessor asap.
Or can you get a builder out and send them the bill to claim the money back?

Hope you get this sorted out soon.

When mine came down it was bulging