Cracks in walls and skirting boards

jmw81

Hi everyone,
My skirting boards have come away from the walls in several places on one side of my house. There are also some cracks in the walls on that side, especially where the ceiling meets the wall and around a door frame. All of this is on one outer wall. Is this something to be concerned about and who should I ask to take a look? A structural engineer? Any advice much appreciated! Thanks, Jonathan

Carrot007

Looks like nothing (bad) to me.

Stop clumping around the house and banging doors? Yeah you may not be but vibration is causing this from something. Maybe get some carpets for a start!

TELLIT01

Is this a new(ish) build?  If so there can be quite a bit of movement / shrinkage in the early months / years as most properties these days are dry lined with plasterboard rather than what I would call 'properly plastered'.  The issues probably aren't structural but will need to be filled and painted.

jmw81

Thanks, that’s reassuring and helpful. It’s not a new build - it’s a turn of the century end of terrace. I guess that what worried me was that the issue is all on one side of the house - I was thinking that if it was general wear and tear, they’d be more spread around. 

Davesnave

Those skirtings aren't turn of the century! How long have you owned the property?

When people re-plaster and replace woodwork at the same time there can be shrinkage too. Also is it likely damp proofing was done on this side, being an outer wall?

It doesn't look structural anyway.

Jeepers_Creepers

As said above, almost certainly nothing to worry about. Perhaps the skirting was removed to fit the laminate flooring - does this go under the skirting? - and then was reattached properly.

Does the skirting move when you press it against the wall - i, has it actually become detached in places? If so, it'll need reattaching before a bead of decorator's caulk is run along the top to fill the gap (and then smoothed down with a wetted cloth/finger...)

jmw81

Thanks both. That's very helpful.