Cracks in Victorian terrace - worried about selling

[SerenaOverjoyed]

Hi all

I have noticed a crack in the wall by our loft extension. I think it was there and similar size when we moved in 3 years ago, but I'm not certain. I'm wondering if a surveyor is going to make a huge deal? It's about 1m long and maybe 1mm-2mm wide at the widest point. It looks like it might be where the neighbours chimney is?

I'm toying with paying for a decorator to fill and paint it or just taking a deep breath in. I'm pregnant so my home anxiety is through the roof..

do you have any photos?

It's not surprising a house this age has some settling and cracks, especially if there's been changes made. How recent is the loft extension?

Have a look outside to see if any repointing is needed and get that done. If it's where the neighbours chimney is go and have a chat, is the chimney used or could there be an issue there? I don't think a surveyer will be too bothered but a buyer might.

Sometime cracks appear where new plaster is skimmed over old brickwork, drying out differences. The lines are straight, did the plasterer put plaster board up to brickwork?
I’d just fill and paint over.

The extension was from 2009, not sure how they plastered. The chimney was just a guess from the shape and location

So the feeling is it's unlikely to phase a surveyor but it'd be worth paying a decorator to reassure buyers?

Yes, I too would just fill, rub down and paint, it will look perfect after. Looks like a plasterboard line to me.

Any ideas for doing this work high up? We're a bit nervous about using a ladder. Is there an alternative to hiring someone and blowing £600?

Considering the extension is 10 years old, it doesn’t make sense for the crack to suddenly and quickly appear.

Ring your insurance, they may be able to send someone to assess the situation. I wouldn’t try to fil or paint myself as this would be pretty much like letting the problem get more serious underneath while it looks ok from the surface.

It's not a new crack, it was there when we moved in 3 years ago

How high up is it op? Have you got a ladder that will reach? Do either of you mind heights? I confess I hate working at height, so don't, however I am quite happy to foot the ladder for my oh and send him up. As long as you have got a stable base for your ladder and one of you foots it, you should be okay. Failing that, a decorator would do it, but diy it would probably cost you less than £50.

So it was there when you moved, have you checked the survey documents (if you own the house)? This is the sort of thing that would have ringing massive alarm bells with your solicitors unless the surveyor is convinced it is just plasterboard movement.

I read somewhere that you don’t need to worry too much about subsidence asking as the crack is less wide than the width of a 10p coin side.