What causes drywall seams to show?

[John Kogel]

A 1980's house has a textured ceiling in the living room. I will grace this place with my presence next week. The client reports that the seams are visible, but not stained.

The ceiling joists are likely the bottom chords of maufactured trusses.

I think they mean the drywall has sagged around the fasteners, or maybe the tape has let go.

That would indicate a past moisture event (AKA a leaky roof, eh?).

Is there another possible cause, such as bad fasteners or texture too wet when applied?

Is the only repair to drop the bad drywall and install new? Yes, I'll have to warn them about asbestos.

[Scottpat]

Could very well be fasteners that are failing.

[Jim Katen]

. . . The client reports that the seams are visible, but not stained. . .

This could mean absolutely anything. You'll have to see it. There are too many possibilities to speculate about from the available information.

[Tom Corrigan]

Look see if it's 1/2 " drywall hung parallel to 24" o.c. ceiling framing. It'll sag every time.

Tom Corrigan, Ret.

[kurt]

Yes. And, 80's house may have blown in cellulose, that older stuff that was really heavy. It could be facilitating the sag.

[John Kogel]

Thanks, that is all helpful. So there could be sag in a bone dry ceiling, that's what I was pondering.

I hadn't thought of them running the sheets parallel, but the edges do stiffen the sheets a bit, you're right.

Of course, I may get there and see something totally different than what I was describing. Just formulating some possibilities in advance.

[Erby]

Racoons in the attic?

[John Kogel]

Racoons in the attic?

I'll bring mah squirrel gun, Davy. []

Maybe a cable guy. They hang out in attics a lot.

Update: It turns out to be just bad installation. 5/8" drywall hung crossways but I think they textured over the seams with no tape. [:-thumbd]

[StevenT]

Could be that the seams were not adequately taped/finished. Perhaps the installer/taper thought the texture would hide the unfinish.