Several cracks on internal walls, who do I contact ?

Austinhead

I have several cracks on internal walls, which appear to be getting worse. I also have bulging concrete on the floor near to the cracks.

Initially I thought this was caused by a long term leaking bathroom (which has finally been fixed), and a leak under the kitchen sink - a one off gush of water (which is directly under the bathroom), but I no longer think that this can be the only cause.

The cracks are worse downstairs, but when decorating this weekend, I also noticed a couple of smaller cracks upstairs coming from the corners of a couple of door frames.

All the cracks are on internal walls, i haven't seen any on either the inside, or the outside of the external walls.

Here is a link to some photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/eBoQMwkUfLXffwst1

I'm unsure what to do next, do I contact my insurer, do I get a structural engineer - and if so how much is that going to cost ? (I'm a single mum of 3 without an abundance of cash in the bank). I'm wary of ignoring it any further in case there is a serious issue, but don't have the knowledge to know what to do next.

Thanks in advance.

Doozergirl

Your decision. Our SE is about £75 an hour, plus VAT.

If you get one out they say there's no problem then you haven't involved your insurers, helping premiums.

It looks like there is an issue of some description with the combination of the cracks at wall and floor and so perhaps there is reason to go directly to your insurers.

Debbie_Savard

Are you a clay soil or on a slope? A long term leak could cause ground heave.

So long as there's no cracking in the bricks it may settle as the ground dries

JohnB47

What type of house - or is a flat - detached, semi, terraced? What age? Plasterwork redone some time? Any changes to your normal pattern of heating the house?

We have a few cracks around our 1930's built semi. I think they're just settlement cracks, where the house moves slightly over the years with vibration (perhaps near a major road) and changes in moisture levels. Nothing too much to worry about, particularly if it's only on internal plaster. Not sure about that floor though. Still, not a major crack there.

If you get someone to have a look, I'm sure they'll say its not a real problem. Be wary if they suggest major work/cost needed. Then it's time to get other opinions.

JEN22

Looks a lot like settling. I have seen this often. Wouldn't worry

Austinhead

Thank you for all your replies.
It's a 1960s detached house. Not really on a slope, although opposite a steep hill, but all the houses are pretty much level on our side and not stepped at all.
I've lived here for 11 years, there is lining paper in all the rooms, which would have been done just before we moved in, although not on the 2 cracked walls in the kitchen, so I'm guessing they would have been replastered then.
Is a structural engineer the right person to take a look? Or might a builder be able to give educated advice?
Thanks again. I don't feel quite as concerned after reading your comments.

Doozergirl

I run a building firm and I would contact my SE to look at that.

You could start by making pencil marks at the ends of the cracks and marking it up with the date. It's a simple way of monitoring if it is progressing amd how much.

Nothing is going to happen in the short term but I'd not be happy with the movement in the floor - that's not very common,
nor would I accept 'settlement' cracks on a 1960s house. The settling should have been done decades ago. Something is causing it.

david1951

A local, chartered structural engineer near me charges £200+VAT for a report to comment on a single aspect of a domestic property (i.e., a starting point). Send the photos to a local SE and they can give you a quote for a similar report.

I doubt there would be much point in asking a builder. They could give you an educated guess, but won't be a qualified engineer and won't be bound by any professional obligations.

alhenderson

I'd get a structural engineer to have a look. As someone above said, avoids getting the insurance company involved at first. Then if you do need to involve the insurance company, you might give they'll reimburse you the cost is the SE (they did for me).

Al