For a few months now I've been noticing some small cracks in the drywall ceiling of my bedroom. They're not very big, maybe 2-3 millimeters at most, but I'm worried they might get worse. I have an apartment on the second floor in a building from 1980. Should I call a restorer or can I fix them myself?
Small cracks in drywall are almost always just a cosmetic issue, especially if they don't get wider over time 🏠 what really matters is figuring out whether the movement is stable or ongoing: if they stay the same after a few months, it's probably just the structure settling (super common in buildings from the '80s).
But if you notice they're visibly expanding or new cracks are showing up, then yeah you should get a professional to check it out, because it could mean something more serious is going on.
For DIY, if they stay stable, you just need sandpaper, drywall joint compound, and a coat of paint, but honestly it's usually more tedious than it is difficult 😅
If they're really tiny and your ceiling doesn't have other signs of damage (like water stains or cracks radiating from a single point), it's probably just normal settling of the drywall and you can ignore it.
What nobody tells you is to check if there's seasonal movement: if the cracks widen only in summer and close back up in winter, it's just thermal expansion and there's nothing to worry about!
But if they keep growing noticeably month after month, then yeah it's worth getting a technician to look at it, because there could be something more serious going on above (moisture, structural settling, insulation problems).
For a DIY fix, scrape out the crack with a knife, dust it well, and fill it with drywall joint compound: it costs just a few euros and you can fix it in 20 minutes!
Have you noticed whether the cracks get noticeably worse from one season to another? What the others didn't consider is that in a 1980s house on the second floor, micro-cracks in the drywall could also indicate settling of the load-bearing structure underneath, especially if they widen in summer and shrink in winter (that's normal, but worth monitoring).
For cracks that are 2-3 millimeters, you can fix them yourself with spackle and sandpaper if they stay stable, but first check the ceiling at different spots to see if there are others scattered around: if they're isolated it's probably just the drywall, but if you notice a pattern, it might be better to have someone who knows how to read structural cracks take a look, rather than patch it and then find out the problem keeps going.
With old drywall like yours, it's normal to have some cracks, especially if the ceiling has gone through temperature and humidity changes over time. In my apartment I had the same situation years ago - thin cracks that weren't moving anymore - and I found out they were simply due to the initial settling of the structure that was never fully resolved. The important thing is to understand whether you're seeing new cracks every month or if the ones you have have stayed the same. Check back in a few weeks: if they haven't widened and you don't see any new ones, the movement has probably stabilized.
What the others didn't emphasize well is that you should also check the opposite side - the ceiling of the room below yours. If the drywall there is in good condition and you don't see any moisture or sagging, it means the problem is really just superficial in your layer. Calling in a restorer for cracks of 2-3 millimeters is overkill and you'd waste money. You can fix them yourself with some drywall joint compound and a putty knife, which costs practically nothing. Apply a light coat of compound, let it dry, sand gently and repaint.
The only situation where you should call someone is if the cracks are widening quickly, if you see other cracks radiating from a single point (a sign of actual settling), or if you notice moisture stains around them. In that case, yes, there could be a more serious structural problem that requires a professional look. But from what you're describing, it sounds like normal settling.
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