Need advice on exterior wall crack

Markyaluny

Hello

I'm interested in a property that has a concerning crack on the exterior wall, it's an auction property so I can't get a survey done beforehand

There's no evidence of damp from the crack on the inside,

Please could give advice as to what the crack could be and potential repairs/costs?

Many thanks!

Here is the imgur link:
https /imgur .com/galle ry/10BFFZI

Rosco62

Vertical or horizontal crack

seradane

Here's your link:
https://imgur.com/gallery/10BFFZI

Markyaluny

The crack is horizontal but goes through the lines of the bricks

Karl.P

https://imgur.com/gallery/10BFFZI



It looks like the bricks below the crack have dropped slightly, possibly when the bay window double glazing was fitted.

I think the upper left window position is imposing a high load over the bay, so it would require a strong support across the bay opening.

Its common to see this occur as a triangular shape above windows changed without the lintels being upgraded to building regs.

On the one house I've seen close up during bay windows fitment there was a big steel joist across the whole opening, however the fitters seem a bit gungho chisling out the bricks that supported it to get the windows to fit

Sorry I have no advise on how to proceed, hopefully someone else will be more helpful.

Oh are there any signs of the crack on the inner wall?

foxy-stoat

Movement at some point in the distant past or recent. They could of filled the inside and painted over it. Was it fresh paint on the side.

The fact that its at auction would suggest that you are buying trouble - so needs to be stinking cheap as it will be a risk.

Markyaluny

Karl.P wrote: »

Oh are there any signs of the crack on the inner wall?

There was no visible damage from the inside

pramsay13

What are you looking for on here?

Is it to live in or for an investment?

Basically for an auction property you need to assume the worst, so if the price of the property is low enough and you have enough cash to buy the property and make the repairs then go for it, otherwise choose another one.

FreeBear

Karl.P wrote: »

On the one house I've seen close up during bay windows fitment there was a big steel joist across the whole opening, however the fitters seem a bit gungho chisling out the bricks that supported it to get the windows to fit

Solid brick wall, so pre-war. There will be a lintel over the bay of some description. Quite likely a couple of timber beams - If these have rotted due to water leaking in above the bay, that would be a reason for the crack.


It needs investigating properly before purchase as the fix could be expensive.

AdrianC

I'd suspect the tupperware windows, too. Have you had a look at Google Streetview, and seen if there are any older pics (clock icon at the bottom of the top left address box (assuming web browser - no idea on a phone)?

No cracks inside - nice and easy to polyfilla them...

thearchitect

My gut reaction would be movement of the bressumer beam, which therefore might require remedial work. Such movement can also arise from movement at the seatings hence a proper inspection is essential.