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Cracks in ceiling - roofer/general builder/structural engineer/ignore?

6 replies

TerrificEchidnaSpikes · 15/02/2021 13:37

1920s house. The house has had some building work done, including removal of a (supposedly) non-load-bearing wall in the kitchen which is under the bathroom. This was done by the previous owner (who was apparently a total idiot) so I've always felt uncertain about the underlying quality of the work.

We've lived here about 5 years, there have always been a few cracks in the plaster of the bathroom ceiling. Last year I vaguely noticed they seemed to be increasing in number/severity. We discussed getting someone in to look at it, then COVID happened. Today I was staring up at the ceiling while brushing my teeth and I pretty sure the cracks have further increased in number/severity. They're not huge wide cracks, but there seem to be more and more of them and getting wider (the biggest now about 3mm) and longer too.

I have never been in the loft space - it's only a tiny hatch with no ladder, not boarded so unusable. According to the surveyor's report there is a water tank in the loft space over the bathroom.

What sort of tradesperson would be appropriate? I was thinking just a general builder or roofer, but because of the kitchen wall removal perhaps I should call a structural engineer?

OP posts:
LividLoving · 15/02/2021 14:28

Can you contact your buildings insurance and see what they advise?

RealisticSketch · 15/02/2021 16:15

Takes a photo. Then you have a comparison from this point or something to show insurance.
I would get a structural engineer in to see if the wall was indeed non load bearing as that will be a good start to know if this good have serious causes. Was there any planning/ building regs sign off to that work?

TheElementsSong · 15/02/2021 16:32

If I contact my insurers, will it result in premiums going up even if there's nothing major?

I've just hurried upstairs to photograph the ceiling! Wish I'd thought of this from the time we moved in, then we would have a timeline.

Looks like I'll have to start Googling for a structural engineer - how much does it cost for an engineer to inspect? (No building regs sign off Sad).

VelveteenChair · 15/02/2021 16:34

Make chalk marks round the cracks and see if they get any bigger.

VelveteenChair · 15/02/2021 16:35

And £400 for a structure engineer.

TheElementsSong · 15/02/2021 16:40

Oh thanks, £400 is not as much as I feared!

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