What sort of brickwork crack is this?

Scythi

Is this structural or thermal? Is it a problem? Any advice appreciated 

Scythi

To add: There is no evidence of this crack inside, no damp, no cold air coming in, window above the ledge opens and closes fine (albeit a little tiny bit stiff)

hazyjo

No idea how people can answer that. Would need far more info and detail than just one closeup picture, and probably a visit by a structural engineer.

This info may help: age of property, on flat/hilly ground, soil type, location, where on property - extension/ side/ front etc, what level, where/ in which country, etc etc

Scythi

25 years old. Flat ground. Dont know. Front. Second floor running down to above front door. England.

hazyjo

Is that the bottom of a window but the top right hand corner? Not sure anyone will be able to assist, but it may help to know these things.

Do you know how wide the crack is in mm? (Not the length.)

How do you know they've not just filled the crack from the inside?

Not recommending anyone mentioned here but found some info which looks to be useful (presuming what they say is right:)): https://www.diydoctor.org.uk/projects/settlement.htm

Hopefully someone with some more building/ structural knowledge than me will be able to help you.

Doozergirl

It's not the actual crack that creates a diagnosis, it's context.  

We need to see the whole wall/house. 

I'm not really sure what you mean by a 'thermal' crack.  All houses move and it's all structural.   Cracks tend to appear where there is least stress, so at the corners of windows and doors.  From the tiny amount of surrounding evidence that is what appears to be happening.  Cracks often point towards the source of the problem.  

More photos required.  

Mutton_Geoff

Is that cladding or the actual brick?

clive0510

you need to get a structural engineer to check the foundations and the structure of the whole house. the crack maybe just the symptom of something more sinister. if you don't get it checked you'll never know.

stuart45

They look like they may be Edenhall or similar concrete bricks, which sometimes suffer from shrinkage cracking, especially at the frames which is a weak spot in the walls.

bravotango

As other have said, get a professional in to see what they think

thearchitect

It would be inappropriate to guess: it could be thermal movement (for example if movement joints are not properly provided) or it could be something more serious.  If you are concerned then have a structural engineer look at it.