Interested in buying first house - are hairline cracks on the walls something to be worried about?

proteinbee

Hi

I've found a house I want to buy as my first purchase. It was built in the 1920s but refurbished around 2012. Everything looks good, however many of the walls (both upstairs and downstairs) have long hairline cracks on them, such as the below

Is this something to be concerned about? The estate agent is assuring me these are 'plaster shrinkage', and they are purely aesthetic/nothing to worry about.

Just wanted to get another opinion. Do these indicate a structural issue? Should I not go ahead with the purchase? Many of the walls have these hairline cracks..

Thanks

davidmcn

Probably just plaster. Cracks on external walls would be more concerning.

Chilli6

You would find any serious issues at the survey stage. My new build had cracks like these in various places due to settling movement which is normal. Perhaps take a builder friend for a second viewing if you don't want to offer before exploring more? 

Doozergirl

That isn't something to worry about, no.  Houses move,  floors flex.  That's nothing.  

FreeBear

1920s build, it would have been lime plaster on the walls, and lath & plaster on the ceilings. If the "refurbishment" in 2012 consisted of just slapping paint on the walls with a bit of filler in the bigger cracks, then the will show through again. If the refurbishment included a skim of (gypsum) plaster over the original lime, the cracks should have been filled & taped first. But not everyone does this, so cracks will reappear in time. As long as the plaster is still sound (i.e. doesn't sound hollow when tapped), then the cracks are not too much to worry about.