Bay Window Cracks

Matthew09

Hi all,

Have a crack below both sides of a upstairs plastic bay window in a 1930s house (not original but unsure when this was replaced - definitely over 15 years ago however). Wonder if this would put anyone off buying the property / if anyone knows what would likely be needed to rectify? Have read on the internet about the window may not have been properly supported when installed. Looks as though may also run along above skirting board. Doesn't appear to be any cracking to downstairs bay thankfully.

Cheers,
Matthew.

Ganga

Can you show photos of the outside of your house ,are there cracks there ? 

Matthew09

There are no cracks on the exterior thankfully 

stuart45

Exterior photos would still be useful.

Matthew09

Photo here

stuart45

It's often caused by the lower bay window being replaced with plastic, and the correct bay poles not being used to support the walls and window above.

Matthew09

This was what I thought was going to be the issue, hopefully the survey would pick this up

Chickereeeee

Are the cracks new? With bays of that period, the ground floor wall is brick, while the first floor wall is wooden (studding covered by lathe and plaster or sheet wood). Wood, of course, tends to move a bit with temperature and/or moisture changes. However, if they have just appeared, and nothing else (new radiator in bay? Leak letting rain in?) has changed,  then it needs investigating.

Although surveyors I have spoken to  mostly say "if you can't put your hand in it, it's 'settlement'"..

Matthew09

Thanks Chickereeeee, I couldn't tell you if they were new or not but i'm guessing not.

FreeBear

Matthew09 said:

Thanks Chickereeeee, I couldn't tell you if they were new or not but i'm guessing not.

You can often tell if a crack is recent or not by the amount of muck in it - If the crack looks black, then it is probably an old one. Assuming the original lime plaster, fresh cracks will be pale to almost white.

Oh, and please don't leave plugs kicking around on the floor like that. Standing on one is worse than lego and hurts like [redacted] even with slippers on.

Matthew09

Thanks Freebear. Looks old to me then, also - this is a house i've put an offer on and is not mine as yet, but yes loose plugs hurt!