If your home has cracked or damaged ceilings, these should be repaired as soon as possible. One small crack in the drywall can soon become a very large gap, and those ceiling tiles or sections of drywall can outright collapse or come off the ceiling studs. Ceilings in the home are also part of what keeps a space insulated, so cracks and other damaged areas can be letting out heating and air conditioning, causing your utility bills to spike.

If your ceiling does need any type of repair, it's good to leave this work to professionals rather than trying to handle ceiling repairs yourself. Note a few reasons why this is, so you know your home is always in good condition and always looking its best.

Connectors

Drywall is usually screwed or nailed into studs and beams; when you attach drywall to wall studs, these screws and nails may be sufficient to keep it in place. However, drywall suspended from a ceiling with screws alone may begin to sag or pull away from the ceiling's framework. Drywall adhesive is often used to keep these sheets in place, but applying this material can require some skill and expertise. To ensure any new sheets of drywall are properly connected and don't pull away from the ceiling once attached, have a professional install these panels.

Patching versus filling

Small cracks in a ceiling may be filled in with a type of repair putty, but larger cracks and holes should be patched; otherwise the drywall may weaken and keep cracking or crumble altogether. A professional will know how big of a crack or other damaged area can be filled, versus when it's good to use a patch so that the drywall holds its structural integrity.

Not addressing the cause

When a home's ceiling shows cracks, bumps or holes, it's good to find the cause of this damage and then address it properly, rather than just patching over the drywall. The causes might include too much humidity in the home, or the home settling and shifting on soft soil. Plumbing leaks can also cause damage to a ceiling, or the home may have a pest infestation.

Ignoring these issues can allow mould to grow in the home, or they can allow the foundation to develop cracks and resultant water damage. Other areas of the ceiling, as well as walls and floors, may also become cracked. Have a professional find the cause of the ceiling damage before repairing it, to avoid these risks.