cracks appearing in walls?

jodenice

We bought our first flat in April 07. Since that time we are slowly starting to see hairline cracks moving across the walls (up by the ceiling and round the doors) - we are panicking a bit but not sure if the house is falling down or its just the plaster.

We had a homebuyers report done at the time, would this have picked anything serious up?

And who should I call to come and have a look at the walls? a builder?

any advice appreciated

Jo x

chuckles1066

jodenice wrote: »

We bought our first flat in April 07. Since that time we are slowly starting to see hairline cracks moving across the walls (up by the ceiling and round the doors) - we are panicking a bit but not sure if the house is falling down or its just the plaster.

We had a homebuyers report done at the time, would this have picked anything serious up?

And who should I call to come and have a look at the walls? a builder?

any advice appreciated

Jo x

How old is it?

itsgototstop

Did you have it re decorated when you moved in?

KiKi

Hi Jo

I had the same when I moved in here, both in rooms I decorated in and rooms I had left.

As long as the cracks remain hairline, and are around where the ceilings and walls join, or around the doors, then it's most likely the plaster / decoration. I had a full structural done on my flat (Victorian terrace), and I was so alarmed to see small hairline cracks start to appear in the paintwork! I really panicked!

Just monitor them. If the cracks start to go along the walls themselves and get bigger, then get someone in to take a look.

I hope that helps reassure you - I'm no expert, mind...just advising based on my own experience.

KiKi

Gorgeous_George

Do not panic and do not pay much if you decide on a second opinion. It sounds quite normal.

If it gets serious, you won't have any doubts!

GG

stumpjumper

Our place was replstered before we moved in. Since then we've had some shrinkage cracks too, they're perfectly normal. However the plasterer must have been a proper cowboy as we had a bubble and crack form in the bathroom which when we had a prod at it found that he'd plastered over tiles and the whole lot came away! Since then we've learnt not to prod at plaster bubbles!

Doozergirl

stumpjumper wrote: »

Our place was replstered before we moved in. Since then we've had some shrinkage cracks too, they're perfectly normal. However the plasterer must have been a proper cowboy as we had a bubble and crack form in the bathroom which when we had a prod at it found that he'd plastered over tiles and the whole lot came away! Since then we've learnt not to prod at plaster bubbles!

:eek: Shocking!

Woby_Tide

no wonder nelly always has so much time to go on holiday.....

myhooose

Every year I when switch on the cental heating i get cracks in my skimmed hall. I think it must dry it out a little.

I have also had minor subsidence problems and on the advise of a structural engineer I regret ever calling the insurance company.

Jonbvn

I am an expert on such things (civil/struct eng'r). What you describe sounds exactly like drying shrinkage cracks in the plaster.

As a house "drys-out", particularly when you have your central heating on, the plaster starts to dry and shrink. Such cracks mostly occur at joints, corners and edges etc. Assuming that the problem is drying shrinkage, then once the cracks occur, they should not get bigger/wider.

jodenice

Thank you all so much, I shall show all these replies to my boyfriend !