External wall has vertical crack

Section62

donemedosh said:

But if it is subsidence why would it bejust at the top?.

Hogging of the foundations could be a cause of cracks that start at the top of a wall and work their way down.

But there are lots of other potential causes that are less serious, so work your way though eliminating some of those more common ones first.

donemedosh

yes it is a hipped roof

stuart45

Section62 said:

donemedosh said:

But if it is subsidence why would it bejust at the top?.

Hogging of the foundations could be a cause of cracks that start at the top of a wall and work their way down.

Yes, I've found it depends on the way the foundation is failing to where the cracks start. When cracks are bigger at the top the cracks will start there.
Normally they seem to begin around the frames or other weak spots in the wall.
Council houses are usually well built. The Clerk of works were normally really strict compared to the private sector.

stuart45

donemedosh said:

yes it is a hipped roof

Any alterations to the roof?

donemedosh

no alterations with the exception of chimney removal

stuart45

Just keep your eye on it and see if it grows. Worth pointing in the joints and sticking some clear mastic in the cracked bricks to stop water getting in and freezing.

donemedosh

good idea thanks for the posts. I will repoint it & just keep checking for now

Eldi_Dos

Been thinking about this, could wind buffeting satellite dish and too strong a bond of mortar cause this type of damage. It might be worth checking insurance policy as there can be a timeline from first noticing a problem and any (potential) claim being made.

Section62

Eldi_Dos said:

...could wind buffeting satellite dish and too strong a bond of mortar cause this type of damage.

Very unlikely IMV.

The forces required to crack at least 4 bricks right through the middle are substantial, and on a scale where there would not be much left of the satellite dish itself.

A crack starting near the top of a wall, and not far from the corner, is indicative that the brickwork on the left hand side of the OP's picture is being moved down and away from the brickwork on the right (or vice versa).

The strength of mortar is relevant because that has contributed to the cracks going through the bricks rather than being limited to the mortar joins - the stress forces are finding the path of least resistance.