Anxious about subsidence / structural

Llorenzo

I recently moved into a red-brick 1930s semi, ex council house.

Before buying, I had a Homebuyers survey done. They did not report any sign of structural movement or significant cracking, but did report some problems described as common to properties of this age: uneven doorways, uneven flooring, slight undulation to ceilings. They mentioned that a partition had been created in a wall and part of the chimney breast had been removed, but no significant cracking was observed. We were unable to get building regulations for these from the seller.

Since moving in, I am worried that there is major structural movement or subsidence. I keep noticing hairline cracks around doorways and am very conscious of the uneven floors. Much of the house is wallpapered so the condition of the plaster isn't entirely clear.

There is no obvious cracking on the exterior walls, but I do notice that a lot of the brickwork has been replaced about the windows on the front wall. Would it be standard procedure to put new bricks there when they fitted the new windows?

I realize that I need to get a structural engineer to look at this rather than asking an Internet forum, but I'm panicking a bit and would really appreciate your views.

EssexExile

Edited as requested

MovingForwards

Have you had a look at any of your neighbours houses along the road to see if they have had any brickwork changed?

It could be the original brickwork / lintels were shot and needed to be replaced when the windows were replaced.

What did the paperwork say from the seller about work done on the property etc?

Llorenzo

Thanks for your reply!

Many of the houses are pebbledashed so it's not possible to see the original brickwork.

But yes, there's another red-brick house a few doors down that does have a similar pattern of brickwork replaced above the windows.

stuart45

Llorenzo wrote: »

This should work now.

B_G_B

Ask the neighbours. There is normally someone local that knows the "history" of a street.

Mistral001

It appears that the lintels have failed and have been replaced along with a portion of the wall above each lintel. The new bricks are not an identical match with the existing brickwork so the problem is probably more aesthetic than structural. For peace of mind get a structural engineer's report done.

Llorenzo

Thanks, Mistral.

If anyone has thoughts on the pictures I posted, please share

stuart45

If the mortar is black ash it tends to rot the wall ties.

Llorenzo

Thanks, Stuart. The survey did mention that possibility about the wall ties.

My anxiety means I automatically assume the worst about everything (massive subsidence) instead of thinking rationally about the likely options (wall tie failure, previous lintel failure).

parking_question_chap

Looks like lintels had either failed or not been added, would have caused cracks above the windows. They were presumably replaced and hence the slight difference in appearance.

Not all that uncommon.