Settling Cracks on an old end of terrace house HELP!

lovethymini

If you see a crack going between an upstairs window and a downstairs window, this is a simple "thermal crack" caused by the expansion and contraction with heat and cold through the seasons. My neighbour and I had this and was fixed by digging out the loose bits, applying resin, then making good.

Not sure if this is what you've got but I thought I'd mention it as many cracks in property are no cause for concern.

If I was in this position I would ask a surveyor to take a look.

theartfullodger

Is it near a river/lake?? Many (?? 25+?) years ago I had a house in Mortlake, South-East England about 200mtrs from the Thames..

'twas a mid-terraced house in a long-row, probably built 1910's. Every (dry-ish)summer an "interesting" crack (about little-finger sized) opened up inside and a few smaller other ones elsewhere.. Come winter or a wet autumn they closed up and disappeared. I guess the builder didn't bother putting in deep enough foundations... [Prepare yourself for a shock guys: Some builders try to cut cormers & save money!].
When came to sell it I naturally re-decorated everything. House sold...

Brother's house, Edwardian, Sale, Cheshire has cracks which don't seem to move. Wife's house in Ascot, 1960s, has loads of hair-line cracks.. Plan to re-decorate when/if she sells.

I think you are "lucky" that your vendor didn't re-decorate. "Lucky" that the previous sale fell trhough.. as that will probably put loads of people off.

You say the house needs a load of work doing to it & I guess hasn't been touched much for some time. In your shoes I'd have a very good look, take a diy-keen mate & see what he things, take a couple of builders to get estimates for the work you want doing & ask what they think of the cracks (you don't have to use them later..) then buy it at a cheeky price...

Good luck!

Lodger

dawn_roses

Hi everyone thanks for all the advice.

Just letting you alll know i decided against it so i'm still looking.