Could this building collasp.. please help.

KKKKP

sooz wrote: »

I agree, if the insurance think that there is an issue, then they will employ a structural engineer.

However, you need to get them to believe you that there is a problem.

You said the homebuilders told you the lintels are embedded in your wall, & not supposed to support more than the car port roof. Can you get this in writing from them?

yes i am still waiting for this letter, she said they had a backlog of letter and will put this in writing.

sooz

It might be an idea, before you call the insurance company, to get some facts down on paper.

Key dates for when you were informed about the build
What date the work started
When cracks started appearing in your wall
When & who you spoke to the original house builders, & what exactly did he say.

As both your threads have been a little hard to understand. I completely understand that you are stressed about the issue, & with two little ones & noise through your bedroom wall are getting by on very little sleep, but it might be an idea to give the insurers a clear idea of the facts you have.

chris_m

KKKKP wrote: »

Thank you for your replys.. we have found something new.. the 2 lintels on wither side are inbedded into my property but when i phoned the homebuilders they stated they were only there to surport the hollow carport and not for a room..

Exactly what I suspected, those brick "platforms" jutting out from your wall look way too small to support an entire room and roof

You need a structural engineer - it's no good keep trying the council planners because the thing is up now, planning permission or not.

If they have put the place up for sale, I reckon they could have trouble selling anyway - can't see a buyer's surveyor being overly keen on it, myself.

KKKKP

sooz wrote: »

It might be an idea, before you call the insurance company, to get some facts down on paper.

Key dates for when you were informed about the build
What date the work started
When cracks started appearing in your wall
When & who you spoke to the original house builders, & what exactly did he say.

As both your threads have been a little hard to understand. I completely understand that you are stressed about the issue, & with two little ones & noise through your bedroom wall are getting by on very little sleep, but it might be an idea to give the insurers a clear idea of the facts you have.

thanx for your reply.. house was built in 2000.. i have hairline cracks which apeared in 2006 as soon as he converted this into this room, i didnt think anything of it as i thought the house may be settling.. but they are getting bigger and now run across the ceiling.. jagged cracks.. i can put a pound coin through it.. the home buiders told me that the canopy was not made to surport a room and awaiting their letter.

poppysarah

KKKKP wrote: »

but they are getting bigger and now run across the ceiling.. jagged cracks.. i can put a pound coin through it.. the home buiders told me that the canopy was not made to surport a room and awaiting their letter.

def ring your insurance.

You need them to get on to this NOW


Ring insurance. Explain about cracks developing. Say it's since this building thing for turned into a room.

muskoka

Keep it simple with your Insurance Co. Just tell them you have cracks in wall & ceiling getting bigger & hopefully they will respond accordingly

GDB2222

KKKKP wrote: »

thanx for your reply.. house was built in 2000.. i have hairline cracks which apeared in 2006 as soon as he converted this into this room, i didnt think anything of it as i thought the house may be settling.. but they are getting bigger and now run across the ceiling.. jagged cracks.. i can put a pound coin through it.. the home buiders told me that the canopy was not made to surport a room and awaiting their letter.

First, to reassure you, if it's been up since 2006, it's probably not going to collapse catastrophically now. Buildings are made multiple times too strong for several reasons, eg they are meant to stand up even when weakened by fire, and people don't like cracks appearing even if they are mainly cosmetic.

Second, your cracks are probably due to the extra loading on the car port, transmitted into your walls by the joists running betweem the two properties. You can certainly sue your neighbours for the cost of sorting it all out, but you'll need expert evidence.

One very good point is that your neighbours can't sell with a case pending over damage to your house, so they'll be under great pressure to get it sorted. You've gone as far as you can on the public forum. Now is the time to call in the experts. Start with a surveyor/structural engineer (my guess is that you will pay around £300 in fees) and then go on to see a solicitor armed with the report.

ab7167

I am a structural engineer - you need one. Cracks you can put a £1 coin in need to be looked at! I am nowhere near you unfortunately, but you can get a recommendation from Institute of Structural Engineers, they maintain a register of suitably qualified people. The other possible avenue might be the NHBC? If the warranty on your house is still valid they may help, although if built in 2000 I'm guessing it might have just expired? Also when you speak to the Local Authority, don't ask for Planning - they will not be interested, it is the Building Control department you need. They should be interested - I would hope! He would have needed BC permission to convert, which, incidentally, would have covered sound transmission issues as well. Best of luck with this, be persistent!

poppysarah

ab7167 wrote: »

I am a structural engineer - you need one. !

But insurance is the way to go now?

Sammy85_2

I would have thought if you rung your insurers and said there are big cracks appearing in my house they would send their own engineer out to assess and take it from there themselves. Its in their interests to deal with it before it becomes a major fix and costs escalate. It may cost you your excess, but if it is your neighbours who have caused the problems them you'll get that back when the insurers go after them for the money.