Crack on the wall - What do I need to do?

Hanzkbar

ProDave said:

Where does the third picture (with the step in the brick line) fit in with the other two?

i.e. do you have more than one crack?

How special is this house?  If you buy it you might have work to do and if you ever sell it you will have buyers asking the same question about the crack(s)

If there is another you could buy that is just as good without the crack I would just buy a different house.

Two places at which the crack exist. 

The survey report says;

EXTERNAL WALLS AND ELEVATIONS

To the right-hand side of the property, there is a structural crack leading up the outcrop section. This is cracked through the bricks which indicates a compression crack. The crack travels from DPC, through 37 courses. Although these are hairline cracks, these have cracked the

bricks as well. We recommend the cracked bricks be removed and new bricks installed. Any cracked mortar joints should be raked out and repointed in new sand/cement mortar.

It may be prudent to dig a trial hole to check on the condition of the foundations. The property may require underpinning at this juncture.

FOUNDATIONS

To the right-hand side of the property, there is a structural crack leading up the outcrop section. This is actually cracked through the brickwork, which indicates there has been some ground movement. We recommend that trial holes should be dug at this juncture, to check on the condition of the foundations. This property may require underpinning on this corner. The crack

travels from DPC, through 37 courses. Although these are hairline cracks, these have cracked the bricks as well.

Hanzkbar

user1977 said:

Hanzkbar said:

it was surveyed at the time and it was classified as Thermal Crack. 

Have you seen this survey? Note though that you wouldn't be able to rely on it anyway (i.e. be entitled to sue that surveyor for getting it wrong).

Currently waiting for it to be delivered to me. I have been told that Vendor solicitor had this report for ages; they just never raised the issue and/or the report until i had asked for it. 

Action plan is to send it to my Surveyor when recieved to ensure they buy into it.. understand my Surveyor is working for me and as they are the professionals they need to be convinced with that report. 

stuart45

How long is the run of brickwork where the cracks are?

Hanzkbar

Section62 said:

Hanzkbar said:

Upon further inquiry through solicitors; the Vendors are saying that this is a thermal crack and is not a structural issue. It has been reported a few years ago when it appeared, it was surveyed at the time and it was classified as Thermal Crack. 

You've got crack(s) through bricks close to a corner of a wall.

I'd love to see a report that confidently puts that down to thermal movement rather than a structural issue.

For more comprehensive advice from forum members we'd really need to see overview pictures to see how these close-up areas fit within the overall building.

Do you mean thermal cracks dont appear close to corner of the wall? Apologies don’t understand the technicalities well. 

Apologies dont have wide angle images - these are from survey report. The report seems to be quoting two cracks. Report quotes;

The survey report says;

EXTERNAL WALLS AND ELEVATIONS

To the right-hand side of the property, there is a structural crack leading up the outcrop section. This is cracked through the bricks which indicates a compression crack. The crack travels from DPC, through 37 courses. Although these are hairline cracks, these have cracked the

bricks as well. We recommend the cracked bricks be removed and new bricks installed. Any cracked mortar joints should be raked out and repointed in new sand/cement mortar.

It may be prudent to dig a trial hole to check on the condition of the foundations. The property may require underpinning at this juncture.

FOUNDATIONS

To the right-hand side of the property, there is a structural crack leading up the outcrop section. This is actually cracked through the brickwork, which indicates there has been some ground movement. We recommend that trial holes should be dug at this juncture, to check on the condition of the foundations. This property may require underpinning on this corner. The crack

travels from DPC, through 37 courses. Although these are hairline cracks, these have cracked the bricks as well.

Hanzkbar

daveyjp said:

It needs a wider shot showing the context of the projection as the crack stops at the DPC. Is it a bay window or similar?

Ask your surveyor that as a foundation problem starts at ground level why no crack below DPC?

Had a chat with the surveyor earlier, seems to be two cracks. The report says;

The survey report says;

EXTERNAL WALLS AND ELEVATIONS

To the right-hand side of the property, there is a structural crack leading up the outcrop section. This is cracked through the bricks which indicates a compression crack. The crack travels from DPC, through 37 courses. Although these are hairline cracks, these have cracked the

bricks as well. We recommend the cracked bricks be removed and new bricks installed. Any cracked mortar joints should be raked out and repointed in new sand/cement mortar.

It may be prudent to dig a trial hole to check on the condition of the foundations. The property may require underpinning at this juncture.

FOUNDATIONS

To the right-hand side of the property, there is a structural crack leading up the outcrop section. This is actually cracked through the brickwork, which indicates there has been some ground movement. We recommend that trial holes should be dug at this juncture, to check on the condition of the foundations. This property may require underpinning on this corner. The crack

travels from DPC, through 37 courses. Although these are hairline cracks, these have cracked the bricks as well.

Hanzkbar

stuart45 said:

How long is the run of brickwork where the cracks are?

No dimensions have been mentioned. it is in two places. The report quotes the following:

EXTERNAL WALLS AND ELEVATIONS

To the right-hand side of the property, there is a structural crack leading up the outcrop section. This is cracked through the bricks which indicates a compression crack. The crack travels from DPC, through 37 courses. Although these are hairline cracks, these have cracked the

bricks as well. We recommend the cracked bricks be removed and new bricks installed. Any cracked mortar joints should be raked out and repointed in new sand/cement mortar.

It may be prudent to dig a trial hole to check on the condition of the foundations. The property may require underpinning at this juncture.

FOUNDATIONS

To the right-hand side of the property, there is a structural crack leading up the outcrop section. This is actually cracked through the brickwork, which indicates there has been some ground movement. We recommend that trial holes should be dug at this juncture, to check on the condition of the foundations. This property may require underpinning on this corner. The crack

travels from DPC, through 37 courses. Although these are hairline cracks, these have cracked the bricks as well.