Subsidence

drummonkey

Hi. I hope I am In the right category, please advise if I am not. 
I am looking for advice.
I had a plasterer come to my home and they advised that the crack in my plaster could be movement, he pointed out a stepped crack outside, it follows the mortar on the outside & a crack on the inside plaster about a foot lower, they are about 1/4" wide. I called my insurers but tbh they scared me, before any investigation, they warned me that this would be recorded as subsidence & would have to be declared in future quotes, I asked if this would be the case if subsidence wasn't identified, they said yes. 
I am now thinking of paying for a chartered surveyor to look and advise without going through insurers first. 
I feel its to do with the few dry summers. 
I was thinking of watching for any worsening and getting the inside plastered and outside pointed.
Any advise would be appreciated.

DullGreyGuy

Movement and subsidence are two different things... most new properties suffer from some movements as they settle just as many old properties suffer a lifetime of movement due to their construction methods.

Insurers do have certain duties and yes if they spend a notable sum on monitoring the property for subsidence it will be a claim even if the result is that isnt subsidence.

It can be sensible to appoint your own surveyor to monitor it over time, the cost may be recoverable if it subsequently proves it is subsidence.

How old is the property?

EssexExile

Now the insurance company knows about it wouldn't it make sense to go with them anyway?

stuart45

Photos will help a lot.

FreeBear

DullGreyGuy said: Movement and subsidence are two different things... most new properties suffer from some movements as they settle just as many old properties suffer a lifetime of movement due to their construction methods.

If the local soil is a heavy clay, then heave & shrinkage would be a likely candidate for cracks appearing. It would be worth getting a specialist surveyor in and monitor the cracks before deciding on a course of action. It may be that the surveyor recommends stitching with helibars and repointing. A relatively inexpensive repair compared to underpinning.

drummonkey

Hi, I bought the house 10 years ago & am told its 1920/1930 ( ex council).
I called the insurer but didn't give details, just asking for information, tbh, I was & still am in a of bit shock as the thought of it to me is very negative, not just potential cost, but potentially on insurance, mortgage, moving.
I will take some photos and post them.
 It seems to drain quick.
Any ideas roughly on the cost of the surveyor?
Where I used to live the neighbour is a housebuilder & I am going to see if he will take the work or who they use.
Thank you for the quick replies, it's good to have others input and advise.

stuart45

You need a Structural Engineer to look at this. It looks like there are trees close by, a drain in the area, and also a hip can put pressure on the brickwork. 

drummonkey

Hi. You are right, the drain is at bk of house, maybe 1 to 2 metres away and some old trees about 5 metres away.
Silly question but it's not likely to fall down is it? 
Thank you

stuart45

The arch bricks(voussoirs) could drop out in time, but there is a bit of timber holding them up. There's a bit more life left in the main walls though.

stuart45

The roof structure in the corner needs to be looks at as well. The brickwork looks like it's been pushed along a bit. This occasionally happens with a hipped roof.

drummonkey

Hi thank you. Can I confirm by "there's a bit more life in the main wall" you mean it won't collapse? 
Odd there are no cracks on the joining wall.
I am just waiting for some contacts to get bk re builder/ engineers. 
A roofer did repairs 2 summers ago replacing some slipped tiles, I think it happened when my neighbour had his roof reslated, it adjoining on the other side of the crack. He said all was okay and wanted to come bk to repoint the ridge tiles, but he didn't look inside the roof.
Also when I bought the house I had surveyor look into a wall the previous owner removed. I had ia indemnity insurance on this as there was no certification. I am wondering as this is 10 years ago if this settlement.
I will get a surveyor. 
Thank you, the info is very useful.