Second viewing - 2 vertical cracks seen both cracks run through brickwork-2002

T_J_A_8691

We are in the process of instructing a survey on the home we are purchasing, we've been for a second viewing and noticed 2 vertical cracks to the front and back of the property - these cracks go through the brickwork.These cracks are a couple of Ml thick underneath the upstairs windows, the house is a mid terrace.
The house was built in 2002.
Does anyone have any ideas if this will potentially be serious.
Images attached .
Any advise will be well received, we've already instructed solicitors and searches etc

Thank you for reading. 

davilown

Given the location, I’m my limited experience, I’d say they’ve been caused when the lintel below was replaced for the ?conservatory.
might just be settlement of the bricks above but worth getting a second opinion 

T_J_A_8691

Thank you for replying, its not a conservatory, they are the patio doors which are original's from when the property was first built in 2002.
There is a crack between the first floor window and the ground floor window at the front and first floor window and the patio door at the back.
We are getting a survey but that's not for another couple of weeks, this is just going to be the home buyers survey although im wondering if a full structural survey would be a better option now.

stuart45

Could well be shrinkage cracks. Reconstituted stone is really concrete blocks, so they are at their largest when first laid and then shrink over time. There should be movement joints in a long run of wall such as a terrace. Technical Guidance | Movement Control | Vertical & Horizontal Movement Joints | Wall Ties (thomasarmstrongconcreteblocks.co.uk)
to help prevent this. Ideally the mortar should be slightly weaker than the masonry units so the cracks go through the joints, but often it is mixed up too strong and cracks the blockwork instead.

alt80

From what you’ve posted I’d edge my bets on shrinkage for reasons stated above. Not consistent with severe structural movement or lintel failure from the photos you’ve posted. 

T_J_A_8691

Thank you both for your comments, this makes sense.
I will update once we've had the survey but feeling a lot more positive now.

olgadapolga

T_J_A_8691 said:

Thank you both for your comments, this makes sense.
I will update once we've had the survey but feeling a lot more positive now.

It might be worth mentioning the cracks to the surveyor before s/he looks at the property.

RelievedSheff

Shrinkage cracking. At a guess they have not put in the relevant amount of movement joints for reconstituted stone so the blocks have picked their own points to crack.

Nothing to worry about and just cosmetic really.

Your surveyor should confirm this.