What could be causing the strange shadows on my ceiling that haven’t changed in a year and are only present in this one location in my house?
Asked by Vlatka Kitić 
3 months ago
Last Updated: September 18, 2024
I’ve noticed some strange “shadows” on my ceiling that only appear in this specific room of the house. Before I go up into the (potentially asbestos-filled) attic to investigate, any ideas on what this might be? I first saw them about a year ago and they haven’t grown or changed at all. Thanks for any help!
Oh wow, Barnobus Collins is definitely up there! Haha
I think you should definitely contact a roofer
Dampness
It seems like there are some unexplained occurrences happening in your house.
Those might just be badly patched areas from an old leak. As long as they’re not expanding, there’s no need to be concerned about a leak. You could simply apply a skim coat of spackle and sand it smooth to avoid driving yourself crazy knowing it’s there.
There are ghosts present.
Putting down lights is not a good solution to hide a bad repair.
Take a flashlight and hold it up against the ceiling. Move it around to see the contours. I personally recommend removing the damaged section of wallboard and replacing it with a smooth surface. Otherwise, you can float it.
I had a similar issue in a house that was only 3 years old. My contractor referred to them as ghost lines and it was due to insufficient insulation in the attic. After adding better insulation and repainting the ceilings, the problem hasn’t resurfaced in the past 10 years.
It appears that at some point someone cut a hole there for a repair but didn’t quite get it flat with the mud and tape.
I also have one like that. People say it’s ghosting.
Oh , I also came across the same information online.
Seems like there are just some uneven rafters causing the drywall to not be finished perfectly. So now it’s just a shadow of those slight dips and waves.
It seems like either poor original construction or poor repair work.
My guess is that it’s either an old attic access that was covered up or an old attic fan.
To me, it appears to be a patch!
Have you noticed any moisture in the attic lately? It might be a good idea to check the insulation in that area to see if it’s damp.
Someone who can drywall as well as I can haha
Doesn’t this seem like shoddy repair work? Or maybe it’s water damage? 🤔
Do you happen to have a gas fireplace at home?
Wow, Nedib Joe Fuck, this has been the most fascinating response yet! Yup, we got one installed around five years back. What’s up with it?
Hey , if your oxygen level is too high or too low, it could result in dark stains on the ceiling. It’s possible that there’s insulation above that spot, causing the discoloration. We faced a similar issue where the dark spots aligned with the ceiling joists.
Make sure your flame is a bluish color; if it’s yellow, it’s not set correctly.
Many folks may chuckle at my thoughts on this site, but I tend to be right 🤣🤣🤣
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Your stove may not be ventless, but it could still be the cause of that problem.
I’m not trying to blame you, but I would definitely explore this before jumping to conclusions. Haha.
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What hue does your flame have?
Hey, just wanted to mention that the flame is mainly blue with orange tips. I’ll look into it. Also, it’s ventless. Thanks for letting me know!
No problem at all! I’m pretty confident that will be the issue. Good luck!
That patch job on the right looks pretty bad. The one on the left seems questionable. Do you live in a humid area?
Yes, that’s right, is in St. Louis.
Mentioned a few possible sources of water damage to look out for:
– A minor pipe leak may not seem like a big deal at first, but water can keep flowing until you have a full-on flood in your room.
– If you have a roof leak, you’ll likely see water damage on the ceiling above it.
– Insulation on ductwork is important in humid climates. If it’s compromised, it can attract condensation and cause a cycle of damage that can even overwork your A/C unit.
It’s a good idea to put on a respirator and check for any issues before the summer rains and humidity return.
Rumor has it that Santa Claus actually crashed through the ceiling in 1972. I was told the Elves did their best, but they weren’t experienced in fixing drywall properly.
That’s likely all has to say! Lol
So, the problem is with the lack of insulation up in the attic. The joists get cold, leading to condensation on the drywall. Dust sticks to it, causing that stripe. Insulating and painting should help.
Hey , this is what you can find online too.
Seems to be some patchwork done here.
Hmm, seems like there’s a primed patch but no paint on it… I recommend using a low-cost moisture tester to check the surrounding areas for any moisture in the drywall.
Can you check to see if there are any uneven areas? Maybe take a closer look at the high and low spots. You might have to go up into the attics and investigate what’s happening. Hopefully, it just needs some additional drywall screws and joint compound.
Hey, listen up all you geniuses claiming it’s patchwork – you’ve got it all wrong! No patchwork happening here. It’s likely due to some sort of moisture issue.
You might be correct, but there’s no need to be disrespectful!
If you have kids and this noise isn’t coming from the attic, my first thought would be that the foundation is settling and causing the drywall to shift in some areas. It doesn’t seem like water damage based on what I’ve seen.
Come on, , calling someone a genius is no reason to get upset! Let’s be mature here. The world is filled with individuals who are hurting and broken.
Yes, it’s actually rude to call someone something to insult them. For instance, if I told you, “you must have been at the top of your English class,” that would be considered RUDE 😉
If the size or shape hasn’t altered at all, it’s probably due to a previous repair that wasn’t completely successful.
Use a moisture meter to double-check before entering the attic. If the reading is normal, then the repair may not have been done properly.
Before trying to cover up a defect with a repair, make sure to inspect the roof first. If the root cause isn’t fixed initially, any attempt to fix it could be ineffective.
It seems like a repair on the drywall, but the plaster work is not great.
The shape of the access makes it seem like it’s an old attic entrance. That patch job looks incredibly shoddy.
I can relate – I also live in a humid climate. I recently bought a 1980s home and noticed a few wavy spots all over. Luckily, my attic passed inspection with flying colors. It’s definitely worth getting an inspection before attempting any patch work.
Try turning off the light to see if the waviness is still noticeable – if not, then the ceiling is wavy!
Seems to be water damage.
Check out drywall ghosting to improve your understanding.
You should definitely consider getting one of these to eliminate moisture.
Is this where the air conditioner is? If so, it could be from a leak in the drain pan or pipes if they froze.
Doesn’t have an air handler.
Do you light candles often?
Here’s the deal with those shiny spots and uneven areas. When the drywall isn’t done right, it becomes glaringly obvious. Especially around the taped butt joints. This is why texturing is often preferred – it helps conceal those mistakes. A skilled drywaller ensures that edges are smoothly finished, drywall lines are straight, and butt joints are well-blended. If it’s done properly, you shouldn’t be able to spot imperfections easily with a flashlight. Try the flashlight test to catch any more flaws.
There seems to be some dirt on the inside of the ceiling.
If your roof isn’t leaking and you’re tired of the saggy appearance, consider putting plywood on the ceiling and installing stamped tin panels. It can really elevate the look of any room.
Hey, just a heads up about ghosting. It’s not very common but can happen on ceilings and walls, especially in older houses. To fix it, clean the area with TSP and then use an oil-based primer. For small areas, you can use a spray can like Kilz or Bin. Apply 2 to 3 light coats and make sure to wear goggles. Finish off by painting with a high-quality ceiling or flat wall paint. Cheers from the gooseneck Guy! 🙂
Omg where did you get your curtains from? 😂
Honestly, that drywall repair seems pretty subpar