Cracks in external wall.

Gemzie555

Hi all,

We have just offered on a house, it's come back on the market after the previous buyers pulling out due to the survey. 
These cracks were apparently mentioned on the survey but the estate agent doesn't know any more info. 
Has anyone got any idea if they are related to subsidence or a minor problem. Thanks

stuart45

You'd be best to get a Structural Engineer to look at it properly on site.
There could be a few issues. Lintels often have horizontal cracks when the rebar rusts and expands, which can also lift the brickwork. There is also a possible foundation problem.

Gemzie555

Thankyou if it's a case of putting in a new lintel I'm not too concerned. Just wondered if there's something more sinister going on. 

youth_leader

You could ask the EA to ask the previous buyers if you could buy their survey?  They might offer it half price?

Section62

stuart45 said:

You'd be best to get a Structural Engineer to look at it properly on site.
There could be a few issues. Lintels often have horizontal cracks when the rebar rusts and expands, which can also lift the brickwork. There is also a possible foundation problem.

^This.

The cracked concrete lintels are probably suffering from corroded rebar and need replacing.

The side wall of the 'extension' has open stepped cracks to the right and below the lntel, but also stepped repointing above and to the left of the lintel - suggesting someone has previously tried repointing a stepped crack.

The close up pictures (not clear where they are relative to the other wall) show areas of relatively recent repointing which hasn't been done to a very good standard - again suggesting someone has tried to repair/disguise cracking.

The repair work is going to involve a fair amount of upheaval, so you probably need to start by thinking whether you are up for dealing with that in a new home, or if you would be better off looking for something else.  If th potential upheaval doesn't put you off then the next step is to get a chartered structural engineer to report.

If there are similar properties on the street it might be worth looking at them to see if they are similarly affected.

FreeBear

Gemzie555 said:

Thankyou if it's a case of putting in a new lintel I'm not too concerned. Just wondered if there's something more sinister going on. 

Do not underestimate the cost of fitting new lintels. For the upstairs on, it will need scaffolding along with quite a few props - Some may be needed on the floor below - A structural engineer will recommend the best method.

Personally, I'd walk. Whilst it is only two lintels now, it suggests the rest will need doing before too long.