Bricked up window question

Simp21

Hi

A question for all the builders and structural engineers out there.

Can a bricked up window lead to cracks in walls

We have a bricked up window on the lower level and are being told that cracks in exterior walls on the upper floor emanating diagonally downward from a window are being caused by the bricked up window. There is also a crack in wall about 6 lines of bricks above the bricked up window which is being explained by the same reason.

Thanks

Electrician_Surrey

How big are these cracks?

Simp21

Ones about 2 foot long the other about at a foot long, both about a mm wide.

BuildingFife

If their isn't a suitable lintel above the the brick up, then it could be the cause I'd imagine the fact a window was their that the lintel should be though.

Doozergirl

BuildingFife wrote: »

If their isn't a suitable lintel above the the brick up, then it could be the cause I'd imagine the fact a window was their that the lintel should be though.

This ^^^ you'd assume the original lintel is still in place, But it's always possible someone removed the lintel assuming that the new bricks would suffice

evoke

^ Yes, it might have been a cosmetic thing to remove the lintel before bricking up the window (assuming the lintel has been removed). I'd imagine that the act of removing the window itself may have started the cracks which grew as the bricks and mortar settled.

BuildingFife

Doozergirl wrote: »

This ^^^ you'd assume the original lintel is still in place, But it's always possible someone removed the lintel assuming that the new bricks would suffice

correct, that was on the basis that it was still their, I'd think removing the lintel would be more work than required.

Yorkie1

If the house is of a certain age, would the window have had a lintel at all?

Simp21

Thanks everyone for taking the time to respond.

The house was built in the 1930s

What I dont understand is how a bricked up window on the bottom floor could cause cracks as far away as the upstairs window.

Some extra info, now that we have some responses that would not be effected by it, there is an on going subsidence claim.

I just get the feeling that the insurance company is trying to get things done cheaply by classifying some of the damage as non subsidence related.

tony6403

A photo would be useful - but I know that you can't easily provide.
I have bricked up windows , doorways , fireplaces and other apertures and am not familiar with the notion of bricks and mortar "settling" . In my experience these materials do not "settle" so as to allow movement of the brickwork above .
There is also ( extent unknown in this case ) self corbelling of the bricks above the former window which may prevent any substantial movement.
Assuming that removal and bricking up the window was well done I would not expect any cracks to appear arising from this - with or without a lintel.

Simp21

Thank you tony

I think its time to challenge the insurance company.