Bay window subsidence or whole building

[Anotherdayanother2]

I've notice big cracks on both internal and external of my bay window. It is also on both sides of the window itself and looks like it is pulling away. On on wall where there is a chimney breast the wall is detached from the ceiling 'trims'.

I had a builder in to update a kitchen and he suggested it was just the bay window and that all it needed as cement poured to prop it up.

I'm thinking i need to get insurance involved to get the full building assessed in case it's a bigger problem, but I'm trying to weigh up the costs. Ie: insurance excess is £1,000, or get a chartered surveyor independently as if it is only bay window then it'll likely be cheaper to resolve with involving the insurance company. But I've also read that if not done properly it could cause more issues further down the line.

I'm really not sure what to do

I have a similar problem with cracks under a bedroom window and a skirting board coming away from the wall.

I have decided to pay for a structural survey to see what the problem is and then decide whether to go through my insurance. If it is not a major problem and won’t cost a lot to fix ( ie just redecorate) then I won’t involve the insurance company as I don’t really want my premiums to go up. Also i might then have problems if I want to change insurance providers in the future. Obviously if there is major subsidence then I will contact my insurance company.

I’m paying £900 for the survey which is close to the excess so I am worried that I’ve made the wrong decision!

I am facing the same dilemma. I spoke to one structural engineering firm briefly yesterday and they advised that they would only do a visual inspection and then provide a report for a similar cost to yours. Whereas from what I understand from what insurance companies do, is they like to dig and monitor etc.

When are you due your survey, it'll be interesting to hear what the outcome is?

I was up all night thinking the bay window would collapse!

I am lucky to have a 6 ft void under my house, designed to take flood water as the water table is high, so the surveyor will go down there and hopefully see if there is any subsidence. I have photos taken when I bought the bungalow 12 years ago for comparison.

Im hoping the surveyor will at least advise me if I need to contact my insurance company, I’ve told him that’s what I want! It is a dilemma knowing what to do for the best.

Mind you, the crack under my window is no where near as deep as yours!

Please do update me once your engineer visits!

I'm going to have to appoint one too

Hi! Realise this is an older post, but just wondering how either of you got on with your investigations? Thank you x

Bays in older houses often don't have proper foundations, as it's the walls either side and the lintel above it that take the loads from above, and often this causes a problem later on if the bay wall sinks a bit. So a bay problem doesn't mean there is anything horrible going on with the rest of the house (though of course it does need investigation). It may just need some reinforcement to the bay's foundations.

Just spotted this! Update is that the surveyor found nothing of any concern, he wrote in his report that there is no evidence of subsidence and the various cracks were caused by changes in temperature and humidity over time. Also that the plaster in my lounge and bedroom is blown and loose in parts, typical in a 70 year old house.

I am not totally convinced but I do have his report and his firm was recommended by a solicitor friend who has used him before. I’m just keeping an eye on things and if I get more cracks or existing ones deepen, I’ll go to my insurance company for them to assess.

Thanks so much for your reply x