Cracks in wall caused by bricked up window?

simpav

Hi

We are currently going through a tree related subsidence claim and the Insurers are telling us that some of the cracks that are present have been caused by a previously bricked up window and are therefore not included in the claim

They are saying the cracks have appeared because there is no lintel present.

We don't understand this as we thought lintels were needed to support walls over gaps, the window gap is completely bricked so would a lintel be required?

If no lintel is required is there any way that cracks in wall can be associated to a bricked up window.

Thanks in advance

Furts

The cracks may have been present before the window was bricked in. They may also have started after, or become more significant, after the bricking in. This is because bricking in must be done with skill using careful packing. Typically, this skill is lacking. Finally if you add in a subsidence situation a further problem arises. Was the bricking in adequately tied to the surrounding structure?

simpav

Thanks for the response Furts.

The window was bricked in before we bought the property so don't really know about the quality of the work. The cracks definitely were not there when we bought property and we have told the insures that they have appeared at the same time as the other subsidence related damage but they are not having it.

Is there anything we can check visually as to the tying.

Are lintels required when bricking up a windows?

Furts

simpav wrote: »

Thanks for the response Furts.

The window was bricked in before we bought the property so don't really know about the quality of the work. The cracks definitely were not there when we bought property and we have told the insures that they have appeared at the same time as the other subsidence related damage but they are not having it.

Is there anything we can check visually as to the tying.

Are lintels required when bricking up a windows?

A check on ties would be either brick bonding every course, or block bonding every three courses. If neither are present then metal ties could be in the bed joints - only raking out the vertical joints would reveal if they are present.

Lintels are not required when bricking up windows - they could be used but the prudent and cheapest option is to brick in and follow good principles of building. Typically one would specify non shrink grout, semi dry sand cement packing, expanding grout or slate packers as examples of good practice.