Is this crack due to water leak?

pianowoman

We’ve been in our house for a few months now. There is a crack across the bathroom tiling that was there when we moved in (see pics). The tiling looks reasonably new otherwise and the crack hasn’t got any bigger. However, on the other side of the wall there is a vertical crack that is getting bigger (see other pic). Might the crack in the tiling and consequent water leak be the reason for the vertical crack?

grumbler

Unlikely IMO

dj1471

Is it a plasterboard wall?
To my eyes the crack among the wall and the cracks in your tiles and grout suggests movement.
You should replace those tiles and redo your grout in any case, as water will get through.

stuart45

2 inch block walls sometimes crack in the corners like that. Built off timber sole plates they were used for upper floor partitions as they are lighter and save space.

pianowoman

I’m not sure if it’s plasterboard or not. Bit worrying that it might suggest movement. We had a full building survey and a separate structural surveyor report when we bought and neither picked anything to be concerned about and both cracks were visible at time of surveying.

If we were to investigate further, should we get a structural surveyor again, or a builder? Thanks all! 

stuart45

You should be able to tell if it's plasterboard by tapping it and listening for a hollow sound. With regards to movement, all houses are constantly moving. Changes in humidity, temperature, settlement etc. mean that the basic elements of the structure expand and contract. Some cracks are more serious than others, but ones confined to internal non load bearing partitions are less likely to indicate a serious problem. 
If the wall was constructed with thin blocks on the upper floor, movement in the floor itself is sometimes enough to cause a fracture in the blockwork.

Grizzlebeard

The different colour grouts on adjacent walls suggests recent repaired grouting on wall with cracks. Probably a partition wall, installed to enclose the shower, is timber framed and damp from shower has caused the frame to swell, propagating the problem further. The position and regularity of the vertical  crack in plaster suggests accumulated movement of the end 2" frame member.

Only my opinion.

stuart45

Grizzlebeard said:

The different colour grouts on adjacent walls suggests recent repaired grouting on wall with cracks. Probably a partition wall, installed to enclose the shower, is timber framed and damp from shower has caused the frame to swell, propagating the problem further. The position and regularity of the vertical  crack in plaster suggests accumulated movement of the end 2" frame member.

Only my opinion.

That's as good an opinion as any.

pianowoman

Thanks all. We removed the bath panel this morning (probably should have done that first) and there is definitely water leaking from behind the tiles. It’s a plasterboard partition wall so sounds like that’s the cause. 

stuart45

Something like this is better than plasterboard in areas of high humidity like showers.
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