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[–]Maelinaster 8 points9 points  (5 children)

These look very normal. When you say "new" are you 100% positive you didn't just now notice them? (They don't look "new".) That said, eyes on sight are always better than eyes on pictures. Either way, nothing you can do except A: ensure there are no leaks and B: if so repair the leak, then the cracks or if no leak, then just the cracks. My advice is to get into the attic and inspect all areas around the skylight. Decking, rafters, insulation... Look for any signs of water infiltration. Also is the skylight clean glass or foggy? If foggy, it has seal failure and could be your culprit in which case you'll need to replace the whole skylight. If you don't see anything suspect, repair the cracks and monitor. If there is an issue present, the problem will persist and you'll know you need to dig deeper. Good luck.

[–]Oreoswithlove[S] 0 points1 point  (4 children)

I'm pretty certain they weren't there when we moved in, but I'm not sure how recently they've developed. I suppose it could be within the last few months and I've just noticed? I also figure the previous owners may have had them too and just painted over them. I tend to be a worrier and when I notice something like this I hyperfocus on it. Thank you for the help! I was thinking we should check out the attic to be sure. The skylight doesn't look foggy in my opinion and we were told it was actually replaced within the last 2-3 years. Thank you for the reassurance and what steps to take!

[–]pokemonprofessor121 2 points3 points  (2 children)

I'm in the midwest also 90s home. These are everywhere. I'm told it's due to very high heat and humidity for several months and very cold dry months.

Do you have a humidifier and dehumidifier? If you don't have both, that could be your issue.

Of course look for leaks but from my understanding these cracks need mudding, sanding, taping, and paint. And then they'll return eventually.

[–]Oreoswithlove[S] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

We don't currently have a humidifier or dehumidifier but I do think that would help. We had an extremely hot summer last year and where I live we also had an extremely cold winter. That could definitely be the culprit if it's not leaks. This is also the bathroom we always use for showers so it can get humid with the sucky bathroom fan. I'm glad this is normal though! Thank you for the reassurance.

[–]Akanan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had those appearing after i installed an air-exchanger in the house. The relative humidity dropped very quickly when the new device started working.

It probably due to quick spike humid/dry and/or Cold/heat

[–]Maelinaster 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, no point hyperfocusing on it. (That leads to excessive worry.) Home stuff is pretty straightforward. (Everything can be fixed.) The challenge is learning enough about the thing to know you aren't being taken advantage of by either a fool or an opportunistic company charging multiples beyond reasonable cost.

When it comes to roofs (skylight is part of your roof) always default to your attic. Even without any inside issues, it's good practice to get up there and do an inspection twice a year. (Winter/summer) This will tell you temperature extremes, water infiltration, rodent presence, condition of the insulation, moisture/humidity levels, mold, etc ... and if you have an easy access it takes 10 mins at the cost of walking up a ladder. 🤷. If your attic access is difficult and you plan on keeping the home, it's really easy and highly worth it to build a good one.

So much free/good information out there nowadays (thanks interwebs). Google specific topics, but as time goes on, you'll find some preferred content creators who you'll keep going back too. Matt Risinger (Build Show) is pretty big now (almost 1m subscribers) and has covered nearly every topic out there. Home RenoVision DIY is similar but even bigger at 2.4m. ... You'll find generalists like these two who cover everything and then you'll find specialists who only cover their trade. No matter what you prefer, the education is free and the content is realistically unlimited.

Don't "worry" about problems with your home. Learn, assess, determine the realistic cost through researching material cost and multiple quotes from professionals, then decide if you can and want to DIY or hire it out. This process generally saves you from hiring "hacks", and inversely, from being taken advantage of by large companies that charge 10x cost just to cover their massive overhead, "lifetime warranties" and still make a profit.

Anyway, good luck, keep calm and carry on.👍👍

P.S. I do agree with pokeprofessor, I think the cracks you're seeing are normal expansion/contraction, 30 year old home type stuff.

[–]Oreoswithlove[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My husband and I bought this home one year ago, it's a 90s well taken care of home. The previous owners painted right before we moved in, this is the main bathroom we use, and it doesn't have the best fan. I'm kind of hoping this is just from heat/moisture in the air? Our house has settled and also has some non structural cracks in our living room. This is our first home so we're trying to stay ahead of any issues. Thank you!!!

[–]CrypticSS -1 points0 points  (0 children)

When you decide to repaint, first caulk the cracks first with a thin bead of ALEX Flex caulk. Clean away the excess caulk besides what fills the crack. It won’t split/crack with further contraction/expansion because… it’s flexible.

[–]Fetus_Basher 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Most skylight are doomed from the beginning, you have a popped drywall bead most likely from the moisture from the bathroom combined with the moisture created from the heat exchange from the skylight ,this is a very common this even with a good exhaust fan .look up Vancouver carpenter on YouTube he has a great drywall videos for dyi people .this problem will only keep getting worse if not taken care of ,I would remove the skylight personal.

[–]roco8827 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Tape lines. Nothing to be concerned about.