Is it subsiding repair or just pointing

stuart45

It's worth getting a professional opinion. There's £40 millions worth of brand new houses in Cambridge being demolished now due to foundation problems.

cherry2017

Section62 said:

cherry2017 said:

Section62 said:

Reddleman79 said:

No damaged bricks, so I wouldn't worry about it.

Bricks don't always break when a wall is subject to settlement or subsidence.  The stepped mortar repair (and the quality of the repair) is enough to ring alarm bells.

OP, why the question?  Is this your property, or one you are thinking of buying?

It seemed the insurance company didn't Identify this wall as subsidence? How does insurance company assess the subsidence, do they treat some problems as foundation movement?

Do the insurance company even know there was a problem and/or repair work done?  And how have you found out what they think?  If you are just going on what the vendor is saying then you will need to get your own independent advice.

2022 was an unusually hot and dry year, but this doesn't 'excuse' relatively modern buildings showing signs of movement - modern buildings should have foundations that start below the lowest level that seasonal variations in moisture (and temperature (=frost)) can influence.  If a modern building is subject to subsidence or heave due to seasonal weather then something has gone wrong with the design.

If the wall which has been repaired was on an extension then it would be somewhat less of a concern - extensions are notorious for being built badly, or having different foundations to the main building creating the risk of differential movement.  That this wall is part of the original house - and assuming the foundations are the same - is enough to make it a case where advice from a structural engineer would be wise.

Thanks, Sure, the movement of the house indicated foundation problem. What's the different of structural engineer and surveyor?

cherry2017

I think it is better I don't touch this house, just in case.

Annemos

Cherry2017, I just replied to your later sticking door post. 

Are you looking at moving just to escape that annoying sticking door?   ( "Smiley Face: they never attach for me on this website!)  


Mine had Subsidence. Zig-zag cracking just like your photo. Corresponding cracking inside is also another alert. 


I think a Surveyor looks for a sign of any issues and may be able to diagnose what has caused those issues. 

Structural Engineers know building structures inside out. They have a lot of knowledge re diagnosing the actual cause of any problems to do with the structure. 

Section62

cherry2017 said:

Section62 said:

cherry2017 said:

Section62 said:

Reddleman79 said:

No damaged bricks, so I wouldn't worry about it.

Bricks don't always break when a wall is subject to settlement or subsidence.  The stepped mortar repair (and the quality of the repair) is enough to ring alarm bells.

OP, why the question?  Is this your property, or one you are thinking of buying?

It seemed the insurance company didn't Identify this wall as subsidence? How does insurance company assess the subsidence, do they treat some problems as foundation movement?

Do the insurance company even know there was a problem and/or repair work done?  And how have you found out what they think?  If you are just going on what the vendor is saying then you will need to get your own independent advice.

2022 was an unusually hot and dry year, but this doesn't 'excuse' relatively modern buildings showing signs of movement - modern buildings should have foundations that start below the lowest level that seasonal variations in moisture (and temperature (=frost)) can influence.  If a modern building is subject to subsidence or heave due to seasonal weather then something has gone wrong with the design.

If the wall which has been repaired was on an extension then it would be somewhat less of a concern - extensions are notorious for being built badly, or having different foundations to the main building creating the risk of differential movement.  That this wall is part of the original house - and assuming the foundations are the same - is enough to make it a case where advice from a structural engineer would be wise.

Thanks, Sure, the movement of the house indicated foundation problem. What's the different of structural engineer and surveyor?

A surveyor will look for problems and tell you what they are.

A structural engineer will look at the problem and tell you how serious it is, what is causing it, and what needs to be done to fix it.