I guess they are stress cracks that have returned in the ceiling.
Last time we repainted we removed the paper tape joint and replaced it with fiberglass mesh.
The paper tape joint was really in bad shape.

This time the crack seems to be in the center of the drywall boards where they come together. The cracks are very thin and tight.

Before I spackle the joint again I wanted to see if there is anything I can do the make this better. I bought GOOD_BYE CRACKS , never used this before and not sure it was the right fix for this.

My guess its just like nail pops that occur here and there over time and the corner bead that needs to be addressed due to the seasonal changes in humidity (stress)

The House is 25 years old and the drywall was glued and nailed .

The cracks are in the ceiling in various areas on the first floor where the floor beams are the longest (15'-6")

Thanks!

 

The cracks came back because you used mesh tape. It never lasts for long. You should screw the ceiling up around the crack prior to the fix. cut away all loose material and v out the mesh tape. Then re tape with paper tape using all purpose mud. Then finish. Also push on the ceiling and see if any other spots could use a screw or two.

 

Surprised by your suggestion!
The original job when they built the house, was done they way you suggest I do the repair. It was far worse than what I have now, I had big gaps and the tape started to bubble, I had to completely redo all the tape joints a huge mess. Last time we screwed the joint before we applied the mesh tape, I don't have any nail pops on the ceiling anywhere.
The worst joint is in the center of the room which I guess where it moves the most. The outer edges are fine the were also redone the last time, maybe ten years now.

I assume there was some wood shrinkage that made the tape joint fail a long with stress

The crack is very slight and it's tight paint actually covers it up but of course that wont fix it.
I'm looking to leave what's there and deal with the crack if possible without ripping out all that mesh tape.

Is there an alternative like opening up the crack a little and using Vinyl spackle or Crack Shot then doing a finish coat over it?

Edit:
I will look it over tomorrow as you suggest to see if it loose somewhere.... maybe it needs to screwed. Thanks

 

The 'sticky' tape has a bad track record - lots of failures. They say if you use extra adhesive and then cover it with durabond it will do ok.... but it's better to use the paper tape. It's probable that the original tape job wasn't up to par and often new homes are built/finished under less than ideal conditions.

You can probably get by short term with just filling the crack but it would be difficult to say how long before the crack reappeared.

 

When I pressed on the SR it was loose in places on both side of the seam. Not all areas were loose but I went over it to be sure that it was secured.

Seam:
I decided to make a mess and rip the seam apart.
As an FYI the fiberglass mesh was embedded very well, the crack was right down the of the butt joints of the drywall, the mesh was not fractured.

I not going to touch the other seams as they have no signs cracking they were done with the same mesh.

A bigger job than a wanted but if I didn't correct it now the paint job would have been a waste of time.

Thanks for the the advise!

Question:
I'm using USG (Blue lid) light weight for the second and third coats.
I've always used this in the past, is this the best stuff or is there better?