The crack runs vertically down the side of a window almost to the ground. The plaster work internally has also cracked. The cracks are not wide at all, but am very worried ...
2006-09-13 08:57:02 · 21 answers · asked by Gonjishk 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
I would find a property surveyor - not a builder, and get them to take a look at it. Also ask them if they could recommend a builder to fix it at the same time.
2006-09-13 09:01:11 · answer #1 · answered by The all seeing all knowing one 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like a settling problem. It depends on how wide the crack. How old is the home? Any unusual weather conditions lately? Severe drought will dry up the ground and allow some settling. Heavy, constant rains can cause the ground to become saturated, swell and put pressure on the foundation. Do you have a full basement? If so, can you see the basement walls below the crack? Any evidence of water seeping in?
You don't need a surveyor. The appropriate expert would be a geo-technical engineer. You would not have coverage in your homeowners insurance if it is settling.
There are really too many unknowns for anyone to give you a good opinion without doing an inspection.
2006-09-13 09:13:02 · answer #2 · answered by regerugged 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Assumptions:
a) it is a relatively modern house (less than 30 years old)
b) there are no other cracks in the house
c) the width of the crack is less than 6mm
If you can say yes to all the above, chances are it is just a settlement or thermal crack occurring at a usual place. All openings in walls create weak points. All walls will move a bit if only with theermal expansion and contraction. Modern cements are too brittle to accommodate this so the wall cracks.
Cracks are only rarely the sign of something serious. the main thing is to keep an eye on it. If it doesn't get any bigger, forget it.
If you're still worried, get a Structural Engineer to look at it.
2006-09-14 07:28:08 · answer #3 · answered by Boris 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not wishing to scare monger but you don't really want to go another day without getting a surveyor to look at it.
The key statement is that the inner and outer cwall are cracked in the same place - this has reduced the integral strength of the wall.
Its moved, the inside has moved in the same way as the outside in the same place, so the outside wall has probably subsided a bit and causing a bow where its weakest - near the window. Not a disaster if you get it fixed now.
Don't be drawn into a false sense of security because the crack is not very big, its like saying your prachute is only a little bit ripped.
The dry weather has caused some of this recently just like it did in 1976.
Its moved right ? so why would it not move more tonight ? Please get it looked at immediately. You don't need to go home tonight to discuss it, you need to get the yellow pages out.
2006-09-13 23:13:54 · answer #4 · answered by Michael H 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the crack runs along a join in the masonry, then this is not a great deal to worry about, although you should get it looked at by a builder if you don't feel confident to replace the brickwork yourself. However, if the crack runs through one or several bricks, then this is serious, and could be the result of subsidence - call a surveyor.
2006-09-13 21:46:36 · answer #5 · answered by blueeyedboy3004 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is your house 3+ years old or 30+?
If 3+ then I would consider getting the company who built it in to look at it (warranty) and also an independant surveyor to confirm.
If its 25+ years old and the crack have been there some time, i would not worry too much, most houses will get some level of cracking over time. but again an independant surveyor is the best advice. ......definetly not a builder!!!
2006-09-13 09:09:40 · answer #6 · answered by curious cat 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need an independant property surveyor if the house is your own- if not, see your landlord. If this crack was present when you bought the house, you may be able to take action against the surveyor you used then, but if the crack has appeared since, you need advice. Good luck.
2006-09-14 12:59:47 · answer #7 · answered by k0005kat@btinternet.com 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let my guess, your home is on a Slab, probably in Texas, with Brick exterior- your problem is the Slab- one side of the crack or the other is setteling- There are company's who fix these things- Mud jacking, etc. Before you call for help- try watering constantly around the perimeter, see if it closes up the crack, (Ground swell) Texas has a major problem with this- type thing.
2006-09-13 11:20:52 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
be worried, consault a structural engineer and or surveyor, it sounds like you have movement in the house structure which will need pining, But dont worry about cost this should be covered by your buildings insurance and you claim via your building society who may well sort out an inspection for you too
2006-09-13 09:08:57 · answer #9 · answered by judy f 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like subsidence, or the side of your house starting to fall off.
Underpinning for the former, or tie rods for the latter.
But, I'm a tree surgeon, what do I know. Get proffesional advice.
2006-09-13 09:09:26 · answer #10 · answered by Hairyloon 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋