Anyone want to look at my crack?

[SpidersAreShitheads]

Hi all,

Just getting the house ready for market in a couple of months time and I’ve noticed a big long crack outside!!

It’s very narrow, almost hairline but it’s quite long.

Some sources online are suggesting it’s nothing to worry about. I made the mistake of asking in a renovation group and the (blokes) have all scared the pants off me by saying it’s mega bad - and I quote the last comment “your house is going to fall down”.

What do I do? Ring my insurer? Leave it? I don’t have the money just yet to pay a few hundred quid for surveyor/structural engineer on a whim…..

If anyone knows anything about cracks I’d appreciate an honest response (I feel like I’m being trolled by the blokes…..). Thank you!

Thank you!

Ring insurers. I am no expert but something similar in our house turned out to be subsidence. Our insurance company put pins in and measured over a period of months the movement before coming to this decision.

Is that straight through the bricks too?

Oh shit really???! I’m literally about to sell in about a month or so’s time!!!

I’m buying a house with my mum and this needs to be sold to fund building work 😫😫

The crack is very narrow and doesn’t widen…..

@FTEngineerM - yes, but nothing showing inside….

I don't know much but a long crack through mortar would worry me slightly but a long crack going through solid bricks as well would have me running away screaming. Give your insurers a call, or a reputable builder. Definitely don't put it up for sale until its been investigated.

Look at this: www.structuralguide.com/brick-cracks/

You have the straight vertical crack.

I’m not yet qualified but graduated so can’t/won’t go guessing. I definitely think I’d get a structural engineer out just to be sure, for the sake of £300 it’ll be peace of mind at least.

We had a settlement type crack in our house many years ago through bricks and we were also concerned about selling. We got a structural engineer out who dug down and was satisfied it was only that. He did a report for us and we gave a copy to the buyers surveyor.

We didn’t involve insurance as there was no need

We've had cracks far bigger than that which the insurance assessor defined as "movement" not subsidence which obviously wasn't covered by insurance.

Whoever buys the house is going to get an survey and it'll come up unless you plant some fast growing climber so getting your own report now to give to that surveyor might help, but IME it'll be like your renovation men falling over themselves to disagree with each other.

How new is that gate, BTW? Could be as simple as the weight of the gate on that corner.

I wouldn't worry unless there's other movement. I had far bigger and just sold - survey didn't mention it

First of all: the outer skin, in this case the bricks, is rarely structural so your house is not about to fall down. On the other hand vertical cracks that break the brickwork are not good news. Are there any other cracks in either wall or internally?

If buyers are getting a survey this will be highlighted, if significant.

If you call your insurers then they will know of the crack.

Maybe wait to see what a buyer says.

I really really don’t feel like the house is about to fall down!! Irritated with myself for asking in that group and letting myself be panicked!

There’s no other signs of movement, no other cracking. The inside of the same wall is fine. There is another crack elsewhere in the house but it’s a horizontal one near a window, again a narrow one. I can’t see any sign of subsidence or heave. Ground is fine, doors are fine, no gaps between floors and walls.

Someone said maybe thermal expansion - I don’t know if that’s likely? The link that @FTEngineerM posted (thank you!) suggests possibly thermal or moisture crack but either way not too serious.

Money is really tight at the moment as squirrels have just ripped into my roof (again!) and I have to get that repaired. I don’t want to pay £300 for a surveyor if I don’t need to, it’s all a bit tight until we can sell and release equity. But conversely, if I can’t sell this place it will totally balls up our plans as we’re buying a new house with my DM and building her an annexe.

I do have a very good builder I trust. I’m wondering whether it’s worth getting an opinion from him and based on that deciding whether to contact insurer or not…..

You do NEED to get a survey tho, once all your buyers come back to you with their valuation and survey reports and reduced offers you need a second opinion ready. It could save you thousands!!!

That Facebook group has a lot of blokes on it that like to post sensationalist responses, specifically to worry people - it happens to almost every post on there! - I bet you'll also get some people PMing you saying they'll come and have a look for £££

Ignore the FB group and ask trusted builder to take a look!