Load Bearing Wall Removal: How much cracking is acceptable?

Its_not_paranoia

Hi,

1900-ish terraced house. 

I've had some load bearing walls removed: 1. between my dining room and kitchen, 2. a new opening in the back wall for a bifold door and 3. between the kitchen and a new side return extension.

The structural design is two picture frames (one for each of 1. and 2.) and a beam between the frames for 3. 

There is now some cracking appearing upstairs above this. Of course some is expected, but how much is expected and how much is too much?

The cracking in the hall above 1. looks plaster deep and I'm happy to patch up with easifill. The cracking above 2. in the bathroom tiles is more frustrating, as it's harder to fix. The cracking above 2. looks worrying from the outside. 

I've asked my builder about the internal cracking before noting the external, and the response was that it's expected, the making good is 'decorating' and he's not doing that for me

Photo's below, thoughts welcome.

Hall above 1 (fine with this?)



Tile Cracking 1



Tile Cracking 2





Outside tile cracking

Rosa_Damascena

I'm no expert, but inside cracking looks hairline to me. The external crack I'm much less happy about.

Doozergirl

Have you got the opening in the back wall running flush to the ceiling?   

How much cracking you get really depends on the house.  If you have an old house with original plaster, the likelihood is a lot higher because the plaster is blown and it suddenly shows up.   Outside, cement render isn't flexible and cracks easily too. 

Sometimes you get nothing at all.  It wouldn't be usual to out anything in budget for remedial works upstairs, put it that way.  That doesn't mean it won't happen though.  

That's more than I would
like to see - the wall has dropped a bit - but it might just have exacerbated an existing weakness whilst the wall wasn't totally supported.  The objective is to ensure that it is supported correctly now.  

The photos of the structural work aren't good enough to see very much, nor do we have the structural engineer's specification. 

weeg

Speaking as a structural engineer, I wouldn't worry about that level of cracking. You know the cause, and it's unlikely to move further. (insert disclaimer that I only have your photos to go on). That window is a weak point in the structure, and it's sitting near the midpoint of the beam, which will deflect slightly as it takes the load, so it's unsurprising.

FreeBear

The cracks do appear to be superficial, but the ones in the external render need repairing as soon as possible. Come the winter months, water will get in to the cracks, freeze, and cause the render to blow. If left, water will track through to the inside and give rise to damp problems..

Its_not_paranoia

Thanks all for the reassurance. Will make sure I get the cracks shorted (both to prevent the rain getting in the external cracks, and also to prevent the shower water getting in the internal ones.