Crack in brick below windowsill

Llorenzo

I noticed a small crack through the middle of a brick just below a windowsill today. I think the crack has been there for a while but may have gotten wider / more noticeable?

I wonder if you could advise whether this is could a sign of something serious (structural movement / subsidence) or not.

It's a 1930s ex-council house.

I had a building survey done in May and all came back fine.

https:// imgur. com/a/Gnj2EEe (remove spaces)

MovingForwards

https://m.imgur.com/a/Gnj2EEe

Looks like the face of the brick has blown, not a crack running through the brick.

Can you take a better photo from the above window?

FreeBear

Doesn't look like anything to worry about. You could get the brick cut out and replaced, but I'd question it being worthwhile just for one brick.

Llorenzo

Thanks! I think you may be right. From the upstairs window, it looks more like the kind of weathering and erosion that has affected the bricks as a whole.

https: //imgur. com/a/XrP59B9

Llorenzo

Any more thoughts on the second pic / condition of the bricks?

Thanks!

MovingForwards

https://imgur.com/a/XrP59B9

I wouldn't have any concerns about the bricks. It's standard for the age of them

phill99

The crack is a result of 'spalling'. This is where a small amount of water has got into the face of the brick. The water then freezes in the winter and expands, thus pushing the face of the brick off.

Llorenzo

Thanks to everyone who has replied.

How much of an issue is spalled brickwork? Do I need to consider replacing bricks or rendering my walls?

FreeBear

Llorenzo wrote: »

Do I need to consider replacing bricks or rendering my walls?

Unless you are an inveterate worrier, just leave it. Trying to find someone willing to cut out just one brick and replace it is going to cost quite a bit more than it is worth. Even if you did find someone to do the job cheap enough, you'd be left with a shiny new brick and a different colour mortar that will stick out like a sore thumb even more than one brick with a minor crack in it.