A 60's house - Structural Movement? Asbestos?

OxbridgeGirl

We are buying a 60's house and have noticed a worrying crack at the top of the first floor window. We are looking to get an engineer to access it, but would appreciate the forum experts opinion in the meanwhile - does this picture look indicative of structural movement? Alternatively can this be caused by a lintel failure/defect? It looks like this crack extends onto the ceiling, but I am not actually sure about it.

Another thing we are somewhat concerned about is potential asbestos contained in the cement based plaster finish of the walls internally. Is this finish likely to contain asbestos and if so is it problematic to drill into the walls to say hang pictures or fix furniture to the walls? We know we are not supposed to drill into ceiling as Artex paint was used (it is now covered by smooth plaster finish).

RAS

Have the windows been replaced?

OxbridgeGirl

Yes, at some point the original windows were replaced by PVC double glased windows.
The survey noted that there seem to be no lintels fitted. Bt not sure if this crack can be explained by lintels, since it semms to also extend to the ceiling?

jonnydeppiwish!

OxbridgeGirl said:

Yes, at some point the original windows were replaced by PVC double glased windows.
The survey noted that there seem to be no lintels fitted. Bt not sure if this crack can be explained by lintels, since it semms to also extend to the ceiling?

It will do because of the plaster. Wouldn’t be that concerned about that tbh

movilogo

I live in 1960s house and cracks are common in those properties which were not well maintained over the years. Your surveyor will advise if there is any subsidence. Cosmetic cracks are not of any concern. You need to worry about any cracks that is in external walls and diagonal. 

Regarding asbestos, yes, this is a possibility especially if walls are artex type. If you don't disturb them, then nothing to worry about. 

OxbridgeGirl

Thmovilogo said:

I live in 1960s house and cracks are common in those properties which were not well maintained over the years. Your surveyor will advise if there is any subsidence. Cosmetic cracks are not of any concern. You need to worry about any cracks that is in external walls and diagonal. 

Regarding asbestos, yes, this is a possibility especially if walls are artex type. If you don't disturb them, then nothing to worry about. 

Thanks, walls are not artex, but could any plaster contain asbestos in the 60's, making it potentially unsafe to drill into them? 

FreeBear

OxbridgeGirl said:

Thmovilogo said:

I live in 1960s house and cracks are common in those properties which were not well maintained over the years. Your surveyor will advise if there is any subsidence. Cosmetic cracks are not of any concern. You need to worry about any cracks that is in external walls and diagonal. 

Regarding asbestos, yes, this is a possibility especially if walls are artex type. If you don't disturb them, then nothing to worry about. 

Thanks, walls are not artex, but could any plaster contain asbestos in the 60's, making it potentially unsafe to drill into them? 

Plaster and render on the walls are highly unlikely to contain asbestos. There may be a slight risk if the ceilings (and possibly the walls) had been coated with Artex and subsequently overboarded/skimmed.

It is also possible that asbestos insulated boards have been used in the construction of the property - A decent surveyor with knowledge of buildings of a similar age in the locality would be able to comment if AIB is likely. But, as with ceilings, as long as you don't go drilling lots of holes, it shouldn't be a problem.