Step / stair cracks in outer wall

InThrees · 13 January 2019 at 9:27PM

Hi there

I viewed a house yesterday and spotted cracking underneath the window - diagonal stair cracks from each corner of the window running down towards the centre (upside down triangle), illustrated in the attached photos. I'd say they have reasonable width (although I wasn't able to measure).

It is a Victorian end-terrace in south Manchester (I'm afraid I'm uncertain of the type of ground or how to find out). I couldn't see any signs of cracking elsewhere. The brickwork directly above and below the window appears to me newer than the rest, if relevant.

Is anyone able to provide an opinion based on these photos? Level of seriousness? My online research is giving mixed results. I recently pulled out of another property purchase following two surveys that scared me enough to walk away so I'm keen for an opinion prior to potentially forking out for another survey.

Many thanks, folks.

Links to photos below. I cannot post link as a new member so anyone who is able to fix would be greatly appreciated.

diynot.com/diy/attachments/img_8976-jpg.156625

diynot.com/diy/attachments/img_8977-jpg.156626

Cakeguts · 13 January 2019 at 9:48PM

https://www.diynot.com/diy/attachments/img_8976-jpg.156625/

https://www.diynot.com/diy/attachments/img_8977-jpg.156626/

G_M · 13 January 2019 at 9:50PM

How long has that replacement window been there?

Why is the top of the window bowing slightly?
Does the replacement window properly support the weight of the brickwork above it without a lintel?
Why has brickwork been replaced (both above and below)? Yet nolintel added?

And what's going on at the foot of the wall where it meets the ground? It appears there's a gap between the botom row of bricks and whatever is below ground (further brickwork, foundation whatever.)........

Cakeguts · 13 January 2019 at 9:51PM

How does the asking price compare to other properties. Is this a cheap house for the area?

InThrees · 13 January 2019 at 10:04PM

G_M wrote: »

How long has that replacement window been there?

Why is the top of the window bowing slightly?
Does the replacement window properly support the weight of the brickwork above it without a lintel?
Why has brickwork been replaced (both above and below)? Yet no lintel added?

And what's going on at the foot of the wall where it meets the ground? It appears there's a gap between the botom row of bricks and whatever is below ground (further brickwork, foundation whatever.)........

Hi GM

Thanks, great questions. I can't answer any of them but definite food for thought! Will also obtain answers if I progress with making an offer. I also hadn't spotted the gap at ground level - looks like a large horizontal crack?

InThrees · 13 January 2019 at 10:06PM

Cakeguts wrote: »

How does the asking price compare to other properties. Is this a cheap house for the area?

Thanks for fixing my URLs. It seems a good price but requires a great deal of modernisation. It is new to market and I don't think the price is unduly low. Perhaps I'm being harsh but do estate agents spot this kind of thing?

Cakeguts · 13 January 2019 at 10:24PM

InThrees wrote: »

Thanks for fixing my URLs. It seems a good price but requires a great deal of modernisation. It is new to market and I don't think the price is unduly low. Perhaps I'm being harsh but do estate agents spot this kind of thing?

The only reason I asked this is because you said that you had withdrawn from another purchase after the survey and it makes me think that you are looking at houses that appear to be "good value for money." Either they are bigger and cheaper or in a nice area and cheaper. The point is that there are no properties that are "good value for money." They are cheaper because there is something wrong with them. That something that is wrong with them could end up costing you more to fix than it would cost you to buy a property that is more expensive to start with but is also in much better condition.

daveyjp · 13 January 2019 at 11:02PM

As its Victorian the property either had mullions or substantial timber window frames with a central sash window when built. These provided the support to the brickwork above. Have a look at neighbouring houses and see if there are any still in the original form.

The uPVC frame isn't strong enough to take the weight leading to the problem you can see. It won't be cheap to sort out.

InThrees · 14 January 2019 at 10:12AM

Cakeguts wrote: »

The only reason I asked this is because you said that you had withdrawn from another purchase after the survey and it makes me think that you are looking at houses that appear to be "good value for money." Either they are bigger and cheaper or in a nice area and cheaper. The point is that there are no properties that are "good value for money." They are cheaper because there is something wrong with them. That something that is wrong with them could end up costing you more to fix than it would cost you to buy a property that is more expensive to start with but is also in much better condition.

I see what you are getting at. However, what we regarded as “wrong” with the property was the requirement for redecoration, new flooring, new kitchen, new bathroom and some rewiring. And yes, I realise there will be some ‘surprises’ too.

We can handle these and can deal with at our own pace. In other words we want a house we can do up ourselves, with the advantage of paying a lower price. Quite normal I thought. We draw the line, however, at major structural issues or movement and hoped the price reflected the modernisation required.

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Step / stair cracks in outer wall

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