Crack in brick work - any comments?

[matthewrowland]

Hi,

I am in the process of buying a house in london, and the surveyor has noticed a small crack (1mm-2mm) in the external brickwork - no visible crack on the inside of the house (although wallpapered). This was a full structural survey. He has mentioned that this is not serious at all. I have also sent a photo to a structual surveyor (friend of a friend) and he also says nothing to worry about - thermal crack etc. I would be grateful if you have any comments before the the sale progresses further.

Matthew

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[^woody^]

Don't you trust your friend?

Yes, its a thermal crack, and it looks old too.

 

[matthewrowland]

always useful to get other peoples opinions too - but thanks again!

 

[Paul-man]

without wanting to hijack the thread- what is a thermal crack!?

 

[^woody^]

Posh name for an expansion crack

Changes in temperature and/or water content can cause expansion/contraction in the wall, and it cracks very quickly as the wall tries to cool down or dry out.

 

[Richard C]

Thermal crack old or new whatever; maybe I'm being over fussy but, personally, I’d always be concerned where cracks snap bricks instead of following the mortar joint lines

 

[^woody^]

Most of these are once only events.

I think I mentioned it on here before, but I looked at several low-rise flats of the same construction but different locations, and all of these cracked vertically one springtime after some cold wet weather and a mini heatwave. One resident explained how he heard the walls snap while in the garden

These had all been built 30 or so years previously and had no problems in the previous years, so we put it down to an extreme set of circumstances

 

[matthewrowland]

I presume from the lack of any further comments - everyone is in agreement with Woody?....

 

[hotrod]

I presume from the lack of any further comments - everyone is in agreement with Woody?....

No, but I dare not speak out, for fear he'll kidnap me, wrap me in duct tape and put me in his loft.

 

[matthewrowland]

No, come on hotrod - i'm all ears...

 

[^woody^]

Hey, what the ...... how the hell did he get out.

Come on now, back up the stairs with you

 

[matthewrowland]

Woody behave now!

 

[Richard C]

I presume from the lack of any further comments - everyone is in agreement with Woody?....

Not entirely or didn't you spot my post ; Woody may well be right but I expressed caution as it's rather difficult to be certain just looking a photo of external brickwork. I’d also want to have a good look around at other possible factors & the inside wall.

 

[matthewrowland]

Noted richard. I understand that no cracks are visible inside the property.

 

[KenGMac]

Looking at this from a point in the future, if the crack turns out to be more "sinister" than a thermal crack, for example the dreaded Subsidence then you will have a full come back on the Professional indemnity insurance of the Surveyor who proffered the opinion that the crack was only "Thermal"

Provide the report to your mortgage provider, this to ensure that they are appraised of all facts prior to agreeing to a loan, likewise provide this report to your buildings Insurer, just to make sure that all parties that you will need on your side in any future fight are appraised of the situation prior to taking on the "so called risk" and offering a mortgage / offering cover for Insurance purposes.