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Cracks in walls following extension - help!

6 replies

DesparatePragmatist · 21/01/2024 22:38

Would love to get advice from anyone with expertise as the more I think about this the more worried I'm getting!

We had a ground floor extension last year which involved replacing load-bearing walls with steels. Due to delays the props were in place for quite a while after the walls came out, and then the steels were difficult to install. The extension itself looks fine but the first floor is showing cracks in the walls, on a plane like a slice about a third of the way back from the rear of the house. The cracks are all fairly fine, about 1mm, and mostly vertical.

DH thinks its just normal settling post-extension and not a problem. I'm worried that the back of the house is about to fall off.

If I ask the building inspector about them, will I end up with unsigned-off work? Would the builder be liable, or would we be, generally speaking? We weren't very happy with our builder and wouldn't expect him to do much to remedy anything. Plus the extension already went miles over budget and we have no margin for any more work.

This is keeping me awake and I'd be very grateful for advice from anyone who knows more than me! Example photos attached. Thanks in advance...

Cracks in walls following extension - help!
Cracks in walls following extension - help!
OP posts:
Familiaritybreedscontemptso · 21/01/2024 22:42

This is really normal post this type of work. However much everything is propped etc it’s still all going to move a bit. Fill them in & don’t panic!

DesparatePragmatist · 21/01/2024 22:45

Thank you! Panic abating somewhat (not thrilled about a lot of decorating we weren't planning, but sooooooo much better than anything else!)

OP posts:
VeniVidiWeeWee · 21/01/2024 22:56

Don't do anything for 18 - 24 months. Things settle.

Notyetthere · 21/01/2024 23:49

Your DH is right. Building is settling, and timber used in joists and elsewhere also drying out. Give it minimum 12 months and redecorate. Our loft has just about stopped cracking and having a couple of plaster pops just over 2 years since we did the work.

DesparatePragmatist · 22/01/2024 09:14

Really grateful for this soothing advice. Thank you. I wasn't expecting cracks quite on this scale but as long as they're nothing sinister then I will calm down and wait.

OP posts:
JollyMollyPolly · 22/01/2024 12:48

We had work done in Summer to create a 4 metre opening in the outside wall into what was the attached double garage and also extended over the top. We have numerous cracks, even the woodwork around the staircase in the middle of the house has moved. I'm pretty sure it's normal, just going to keep an eye on it. I was told any cracks less than a pound coin thickness are nothing to worry about.

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