Chimney / cracking of ceiling

penelope26

I've contacted insurance company but apparently chimneys are not covered on insurance as owners are expected to maintain them themselves & it would come under normal wear & tear

I do have a bit a crack above the front window that looks dodgy but not sure so definately gonna get someone out. I'm beginning to think its worse than originally thought as my bedroom ceilings have also cracked & the rooms have all been plastered at different stages so its kinda strange that they've all cracked at the same time

penelope26

p.s. the crack above the front window is outside in the mortar. Not sure if this is normal? windows were changed around 10 yrs ago

hethmar

Yes, it may be wear and tear but not if the guy fitting the aerial has dislodged some bricks when he was working.

SplanK

might be best if you could get some pictures up if possible???

27col

If you really do have a problem with your chimney then you need to get it checked out.
I was in the process of demolishing a bungalow that I had bought prior to building myself a house. I was up on the roof stripping tiles when the chimney collapsed through the roof into the living room. Up to that point I had not gone near the chimney. Luckily no one was killed, as the room was empty.
The point that I am making here is that the weight of brickwork in a chimney is very large, and can do a lot of damage.
Please don't think that I am scaremongering, I am not. But you need to be sure that you do not have a serious problem above your head.

hardpressed

penelope26 wrote: »

I've contacted insurance company but apparently chimneys are not covered on insurance as owners are expected to maintain them themselves & it would come under normal wear & tear

I do have a bit a crack above the front window that looks dodgy but not sure so definately gonna get someone out. I'm beginning to think its worse than originally thought as my bedroom ceilings have also cracked & the rooms have all been plastered at different stages so its kinda strange that they've all cracked at the same time

But they don't know that the problem is caused by the chimney, it may be just coincidence that it happened while the man was doing the aerial. I think I'd get back to them and ask them to send somebody to look. Sorry don't know why it gone into italic mode!

hethmar

Ring them again and say you think its subsidence.

vansboy

Agreed with theunhelpful insurance company responding, this way. Call them again!

& also ask the plasterers to come back, to see whats happened, too.

VB

mikey72

hethmar wrote: »

Ring them again and say you think its subsidence.

I wouldn't, once you mention subsidence, you'll have to declare it every time you re-insure, and when you come to sell. Make sure the claim will be worth the hassle first.

hethmar

If it is subsidence it will have to be dealt with - no point not mentioning it If it isnt, then there is no need to bring it up when they reinsure.