Small crack, external Bay Window.

Phil4432

Afternoon all,

Perhaps I'm being concerned about nothing here, but I've noticed a small, vertical 'step,' crack to the external bay window.  About 1mm wide.  No corresponding crack on the inside.

As it is a bay window (3 bed semi), I'm being extra cautious.

Surface drainage and gutters are all good. 

No idea how old the crack is unfortunately.

Comments and observations much appreciated as always, thank you.

stuart45

Is it a cavity or solid wall?

Phil4432

stuart45 said:

Is it a cavity or solid wall?

From Homebuyers Report at time of purchase in 2014;

"The building is of traditional construction, with the external walls appearing to be solid given  their thickness"

stuart45

Being circular work the cracks will tend to show on the outside first. Foundation issues normally show cracking wider at either the top or bottom. Cracking even from top to bottom is usually thermal. You need to keep a check on this over the next few months. You may find the movement has stopped.
It's possible the weight of the window has moved forward slightly.

Phil4432

stuart45 said:

Being circular work the cracks will tend to show on the outside first. Foundation issues normally show cracking wider at either the top or bottom. Cracking even from top to bottom is usually thermal. You need to keep a check on this over the next few months. You may find the movement has stopped.

Thank you.  The bay window area has experienced small movement in the past in the form of a visible crack repair, which was picked up in the Homebuyers Report ten years ago.
The crack isn't pictured, and is on the exterior of the first floor above the bay window.    

That particular crack hasn't got noticeably worse but I was also advised to keep an eye on it. 

From the Homebuyers Report:

 "Bay windows were often built on shallower foundations than the rest of the  house and as a result it is often found that differential settlement occurs over a period of  years"

As the property is lower than the road, I had a channel drain installed in front of the bay window area, and on our side of the shared driveway.  This eliminated all rainwater that was coming down the drive, from pooling at the bay window area. 
   Did that in '17 after we had a new shared driveway installed.  The driveway company had paid no attention to ground drainage, the channel drains resolved the problem.

This was also mentioned in the Homebuyers;

"Often the use of a resin bonding will provide a strong repair for  bay windows where there is only small movement, but a screw type repair (such as  "Helifix")"

Think I'll get a couple of quotes for a Helifix repair.  That plus the above prevention, should hopefully solve any issues.

Thoughts appreciated, cheers.

FreeBear

Phil4432 said: Think I'll get a couple of quotes for a Helifix repair.  That plus the above prevention, should hopefully solve any issues.

That crack is no where near big enough to justify a Helifix repair. I'd just rake out the mortar joints and repoint with lime which would be more in keeping with the construction methods/materials originally used.

Phil4432

FreeBear said:

Phil4432 said: Think I'll get a couple of quotes for a Helifix repair.  That plus the above prevention, should hopefully solve any issues.

That crack is no where near big enough to justify a Helifix repair. I'd just rake out the mortar joints and repoint with lime which would be more in keeping with the construction methods/materials originally used.

Thanks FreeBear.