Cracks in walls widening fast

PazPaz

Hi everyone, I've lurked here for a while but now I could really use some help, if anyone's still up.

Since I moved into my house, a few hairline cracks have appeared in some of the walls in the house. A builder told me it was just a poor plastering job settling.

Lying in bed tonight I heard a noise and when I switched on the light I now have a significant crack running all along the joins between ceiling and walls on one side of the room (the side that is the front of the house). The plaster is actually splintered and little bits were dropping out, which is what I heard.

Apart from being quite alarmed that the front of the house might collapse any minute, I'd really welcome some advice about what to do. Do I need a builder, some sort of engineer or surveyor or what? Should I still be looking for three quotes or do I not have time and should treat this as an emergency? I am worried about choosing the right person in a rush - I have been unlucky with tradesmen in the past.

Also I guess it's likely to be expensive to fix and I don't have much savings, I do have an empty credit card... I am just about to remortgage; is there any chance the bank would let me roll some of the cost into the mortgage do you think?

Many thanks for any thoughts you have. Paz.

diable

Stop Panicking.

diable

How old is the house and is there any history of subsidence in your area i.e.; do you live above a disused coal mine?

epsilondraconis

Do you have any house insurance? If so, find the documents and give them a ring (I assume you'll have to ring them in the morning).

Sorry I can't be any more help. I hope you get it sorted.

I'm sure you'll be ok in the house at least until the morning; however if you really are very concerned, then you could always check into a local cheapy hotel?

ormus

dont ring the insurance co just yet. ask a builder to check it out first.
once the insurance hear about any possible subsidence itll be on the record. your premiums will shoot up and you might have trouble selling the house.
and remember you will have 1000 quid excess on your policy for any subsidence work anyways.

PazPaz

Thanks diable, I'm not sure that picture was the best one to calm me down with lol but it's good advice and I have had a cup of tea, woken up properly and relaxed a bit

The house was built around 1720 so on the plus side it has stayed up for this long. There are mines in the area but the pre-sale checks didn't show anything in the immediate vicinity.

I would appreciate any advice though about the question of what sort of person I need to check it for me - a builder, surveyor etc.?

epsilondraconis you are right if I feel really worried I can figure out a practical solution - thanks for commenting.

diable

If its been there since 1720 then its going no where unless its by the edge of the sea. Calm down and don't have any booze before settling down for the night.

Tucker

It's not uncommon for the joint between wall and ceiling to crack.

The ceiling plasterboard is nailed or screwed to timbers in your loft. These will absorb and lose moisture all the time, so they will scrink and expand quite normally.

Fill the gap and repaint and see what happens or put coving up.

It certainly isn't a sign of a major structural issue.

PazPaz

Thanks guys, I feel a lot better just being able to talk to someone about this. It was just the suddenness of it and the noise really that alarmed me...that and the fact I was asleep. I will go to bed now and look for...builders, I guess? In the morning. Cheers, Paz.

maninthestreet

A picture or two might help.

grimsalve

When was it re-plastered?