Cracked mortar, to worry or not to worry

TheWorriedOwner

Hi I recently brought a property and have come across this cracked mortar in a stair step shape below a window sitting above the garage. I am worried our house has subsidence,  but don't know if I am reading scare story's and making to much out of the issue. It's a house from the 80s. In good condition. I wondered if i need to call in a structural surveyor? It's quite expensive so I thought I would get a consensus from here before I spend the money. Inside the house there is also a little cracked mortar and 4 strange holes in the floor. Has somebody performed a test on the ground here  the holes are 6 inched deep 
There is also some cracked mortar on the inside of one of the parts of the garage. But here there is nothing on the outside 
It lasts for this section only. Your help would be much appreciated 🙏

EssexExile

It looks like whatever is supporting that wall has dropped a bit. Is there an RSJ or similar across the garage there?

TheWorriedOwner

I assume that this is sitting on the two red bricks that I cannot see above ? For some reason the ceiling has been re plastered in the garage 

Doozergirl

I suspect the ceiling has been replastered as the house probably wasn't built with insulation in that ceiling, so the room above would have been freezing.  Someone's probably insulated and boarded it.  

All houses move.  It looks like the lintel has maybe dropped a bit, but it's not something to be calling the experts out over.  There's no corresponding cracking inside. 

Get it repointed, neatly.  

The 'crack' at the bottom is where your damp proof course is.  It's
fine.  

The holes are where something has been bolted to the floor by a previous owner, by the look of it.

weeg

That's just settlement cracking. Very common, nothing to worry about and not a sign of movement.

FreeBear

A general rule of thumb - Cracks up to 5mm or so through mortar joints are nothing to worry about. Cracks through bricks or larger than 5mm might need an expert opinion. If they are fresh and growing, it could indicate a problem.

Grenage

Aye those drilled holes look as though something like a bike anchor has been bolted down.

TheWorriedOwner

Thanks all for your comments. really appreciate them. as a person who has no knowledge of brickwork or structural stuff i will sleep well tonight. unless it gets any worse i wont be calling out a structural specialist. so cheers you have saved me ~750£

stuart45

Worth cutting out the joint and repointing to stop moisture getting in and freezing.