Movement or no movement?

Hoploz

How can we tell whether our garage is still moving, or whether the movement evident is historic?

The survey when we bought a year ago said it had moved away from house but didn't seem too concerned - the concrete floor is separate and intact, and the walls attaching it to the house have been re-pointed.

But we're extending and our builder thinks it should be re-built.

Would our insurance co be any help? How much would a structural engineer's report cost? Is there any way we can find out exactly what the diagnosis was when it was repaired some years ago?

Any ideas gratefully received

BB1984

Personally I would trust a Chartered Surveyor more than a builder who's got an interest in telling you to re-build your garage!

Having said that, I don't always trust surveyors either, so if I were in your situation, I would monitor it myself. You can buy "tell-tales" http://www.phoenixse.com/product-details.aspx?pid=337
which you stick on your wall either side of the crack, and check on it over a period of time (as long as poss). It will show whether or not movement is still occurring.

Re-pointing can cover a multitude of sins, but movement can occur for many reasons, and if it is indeed historic, it's unlikely to suddenly collapse!

bb

Hoploz

Thanks BB. This is exactly what we are thinking. Wish we had put markers on it when we moved in, then we'd know by now!

Trouble is, the new roof will have to be joined on to the garage (we were going to re-build the whole thing and have one big new roof) and now we have settled on a separate temporary roof as builder says Building Inspector won't like it joined to a roof which could potentially be on the move. Would like to have some evidence it's not moving any more if poss.