Hairline crack in brick - conservatory dwarf wall

MrBrindle

Good Morning,

On the weekend I came across a small crack in an exterior brick in our conservatory dwarf wall. The crack is in a brick directly under the ledge, and the brick is second in from the corner of the wall. The crack tracks down the pointing and then around the brick a bit. A bit like the brick separating from the pointing if that makes sense.

I may add there are a few more cracks in the pointing around the top 2 layers of bricks on other sides of the wall as well. Mainly around the doors.

Being a worrier, I'm naturally thinking the start of subsidence. Any cracked bricks is a major problem according to a few websites.

But more logically could it be thermal expansion because of the heat inside the conservatory? I have had a good look around the conservatory and can't see any more issues.

Pic below:

https://imgur.com/a/vHoSlse

Thanks

FreeBear

That crack is nothing to worry about - It was probably caused by a heavy handed fitter hammering a fixing in or dropping something on the wall at that point.

MrBrindle

FreeBear wrote: »

That crack is nothing to worry about - It was probably caused by a heavy handed fitter hammering a fixing in or dropping something on the wall at that point.

You think so?

Am I being a bit daft in thinking of contacting a building surveyor about it?

Doozergirl

MrBrindle wrote: »

You think so?

Am I being a bit daft in thinking of contacting a building surveyor about it?

I think that is premature.

It would be a structural engineer, not a surveyor, but I don't think that's strong evidence of problem movement, as it stands.

Gloomendoom

MrBrindle wrote: »

Am I being a bit daft in thinking of contacting a building surveyor about it?

Yes.

Have another look at it the same time next year. If it's half an inch wide, call the surveyor.

MrBrindle

Thanks for the replies.

I don't know if I'm obsessing over this subsidence issue a bit now, but I've noticed a few other things in the house which are adding up after reading subsidence symptoms online - freaking me out a bit;

- 2 bedroom doors are not closing properly - I haven't checked hinges etc,

- I've spotted a few 'nail pops' in a few areas.

The house is timber frame, fully plaster boarded, built 13 years ago.

We only bought the house 2 months ago, and nothing was mentioned in the survey about these issues.

Doozergirl

Because they're not issues.

All houses move.

Wood moves. It expands and contracts.

All of this is well within the realm of normal.

MrBrindle

Doozergirl wrote: »

Because they're not issues.

All houses move.

Wood moves. It expands and contracts.

All of this is well within the realm of normal.

Hi Doozergirl, I remember you giving me good advice in my buyers remorse thread a few months ago. Unfortunately I'm still struggling with anxiety, which has recently turned into finding faults with the house. And right now my OCD-esque obsession is subsidence.

This is probably driven by the fact I've spotted a house around 150metres down the estate which has a classic subsidence diagonal crack, so now I'm waiting for the inevitable to happen to our house.......and also if anything does happen, my insurance will be void because we failed to declare that houses nearby have subsidence.

Anxiety sucks.

Doozergirl

You don't know that houses nearby have subsidence and I don't ever recall being asked that question in 20 years of buying home insurance

If you want to spend money on a structural engineer for peace of mind, then you go ahead. But is it going to give you peace of mind?

Houses are not perfect.

The thing you need to look at taking care of and putting your energy into is you. Self care.

Just because we think things, it doesn't make them true. Got to aim for separating 'yourself' from those thoughts.

MrBrindle

Doozergirl wrote: »

You don't know that houses nearby have subsidence and I don't ever recall being asked that question in 20 years of buying home insurance

If you want to spend money on a structural engineer for peace of mind, then you go ahead. But is it going to give you peace of mind?

Houses are not perfect.

The thing you need to look at taking care of and putting your energy into is you. Self care.

Just because we think things, it doesn't make them true. Got to aim for separating 'yourself' from those thoughts.

My partner's already annoyed with me worrying about these things, and asking the bloke who's doing our garage conversion these questions! So she won't be impressed if I paid a few hundred pounds for piece of mind. If I get that of course.....

Furts

MrBrindle wrote: »

My partner's already annoyed with me worrying about these things, and asking the bloke who's doing our garage conversion these questions! So she won't be impressed if I paid a few hundred pounds for piece of mind. If I get that of course.....

New cars are not perfect, branded products do not always live up to expectations, building is far from perfect. So I too say live with the crack - it is insignificant.

I will also add a point which is aimed to help, though you might see the converse. Conservatory design, manufacture and installation is all unregulated work. Which means there is a strong likelihood things are not going to be perfect. Minor cracks go with the territory here and one lives with them.