we are looking at a bungalow. there are cracks in the outside corner of the house near the drainpipe. also a few cracks further back along the wall. the drive has been block-paved and the threshold is only an inch or so above the drive. we will have a survey before buying but does anyone know what could be the problem. thank you.
2007-10-07 23:21:21 · 5 answers · asked by heavymetalbitch 6 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
It would be helpful if you would have some pictures, also it depends if the brick is a veneer or the actual carrying member of the wall. Check if you see mold or any signs of water damage. Get a qualified inspector for this, like an architect or general contractor, not a house inspector they do not know so much. In my experience cracking can be caused by undue stress caused by settlement, or an external agent, such as water caught inside that causes elements to swell or freezing causing it to crack. In any case it must be fixed, any guess what, you will pay if it is not done right the first time. Get a qualified contractor and get a price, the deduct it from the sale price of the home.
Good luck
2007-10-08 00:20:46 · answer #1 · answered by 747pilot 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Could be subsidence - or settlement - or Heave.
Subsidence is down to the building moving on it's footings/foundation - usually by sinking during prolonged hot dry spells of weather. Thus cracking appears.
Settlement - is usually down to a house being new and a few minor craks appear in the joints between bricks - these are usually hairline cracks and not normally anything to worry about.
Heave - this is down to removal of big trees or conifers or BIG plants - as the roots die off they pull back in the ground and cause cracks to appear.
These are the three main problems with cracks in house and buildings.
The subsoil could also play a part - if poss find out what the house was built on - Blue Clay is usually hard and tough and can take a lot of punishment - Red Clay is weaker and more prone to movement.
This may or may not apply depending on the area in which you live or are buying - but the subsoil, on which the foundations are laid is important.
2007-10-08 06:34:00 · answer #2 · answered by jamand 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do not altogether be put off from purchasing a property showing cracking to walls, Most problems with Subsidence/ Heave can be rectified. Although certain remedies such as underpinning are costly (If necessary) Others such as expoxy resin repairs which bond two materials together thus eliminating further cracking are normally within a budget you would claim from the seller prior to your transaction. Hopefully your survey will give you a more detailed spec of what is required, go on from there and your surveyors advise.
2007-10-08 17:13:56 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
May be some subsidence, I think you'd need to get a proper survey done before buying.
2007-10-08 06:38:51 · answer #4 · answered by Hi T 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
dont buy it ..the drive should be two bricks down from thresh hold ..and the cracks sound like subsidence ..
2007-10-08 07:43:09 · answer #5 · answered by boy boy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋