Cracks around window and doors. Massive anxiety.

[Libby71]

Hi, this is my first time posting and just looking for help.
I’ve noticed cracks appearing around my door frames and windows. They are no wider that 1-2mm but I just can’t stop checking, looking, measuring, googling, crying and having panic attacks. I’m at the point where I just want to sell the house simply because the anxiety OCD is taking over my life. I’ve attached a couple of pictures to show you hats happening. I’m looking for advice / help. Thank you xx

Is it a new build? They should have advised you that they crack due to settling in and it’s fine, it’s just the plaster that has cracked not the outside.
Likewise has it recently be plastered?

Get help for your anxiety, OP.

OP is this a new build? If so this is completely normal and happens as the house settles.

Do you live alone?

It sounds like your anxiety is really extreme and taking over your life. Are you getting help for it?

Yeah I’m pretty sure those cracks aren’t a big deal. Pretty common.

I mean I am no builder but they don’t look structural whatsoever, just cosmetic. It’s normal in new homes, even in older ones without good ventilation.

Hi. Thanks, the house is an 80s build. This is the it’s the fact there are a few cracks above that window. And vertical cracks around door frames. I’m already taking anxiety medication but I can’t stop the spiralling because of these cracks.

It’s an 80’s build.

Ask friends on FB or social media for a recommendation for someone to come you d to look at it, that way you’ll be recommended someone trusted by someone else.

It’s nothing to worry about, your house isn’t going to suddenly fall down.

I hope you can get some more help with your anxiety.

It's this really dry weather OP, especially if you're on clay. Just fill them and paint over them. Some of our internal doors don't close when it's dry for a long time - then it rains and they do again. It's the house moving a bit. We had a structural surveyor out to look at it and he wasn't concerned.

Are there any cracks on the opposite side of the wall, on the outside? If there aren’t I’d not worry. Our porch has gained some cracks this Summer, think it’s because it’s been so dry and our house sits on clay soil, the ground has moved a little bit.

I’m not suggesting medication, I’m suggesting therapy.

I presume you are worrying about subsidence?
If so, the positive thing about subsidence is at least it is covered by your house insurance.
I would call your insurer, offer to send some photos and see if they want to come and look at the cracks.

Although anxiety can be misplaced, and I am diagnosed with generalised anxiety disorder myself, that doesn’t mean everything which worries someone should be discounted.
There will be things which are OTT and things which warrant investigation.

Diagonal cracks from doors and windows are worth checking and monitoring.
Get professional advice OP and then you know if there is an issue or not.

I’ve just reached out to my gp

You don't need to worry about a crack in a house unless you can fit a pound coin into the gap. Those are just cracks in plaster and nothing to worry about. Houses are hugely overengineered absolutely no risk of anything falling down. Go and see your gp and get them to help you.

These are totally normal. I’m in an 80s home and have the same cracks around window and door frames in some spots. I fill them and a few years later they tend to return. They’re just superficial cracks in the plaster and common fault lines as the house expands and contracts with weather variation.

I do t really want to get insurers involved because they start a file under subsidence even if they just look at photos. They would instruct an engineer to make a judgement call. I am in no way able to deal with that.

I am exactly the same and have huge anxiety about the house having structural issues / leaks etc. I don't have any advice op, as I too have had therapy and am on medication for generalised anxiety disorder... But i just wanted to say I empathise.

Are yours diagonal too? Or wiggly like mine.

Thanks. I just feel like these thoughts are swallowing me up.

Is there a tree relatively close to the house? It could be sucking all the moisture from the ground and be shrinking the soil so it may need to come out. Quite common in such warm weather.

Good for you.

I find it hard to manage too... Especially if we have to get any tradesmen in. I always worry about them making new issues! See if you know anyone who is a surveyor friend and if they can take a look. That may be the most reassuring.

Do you live alone OP?

I don’t know anyone

My son is with me for a few day before he returns to uni.