Cracks to front wall under window advice please?

[james.wrigh]

Can anyone suggest how serious or not as the case may be to these cracks discovered under our front window….after purchasing this 60’s bungalow a few weeks ago
Thank you!!!

 

[DiyNutJob]

No way to know how serious if you don't know when it appeared. You can chisel out a small depth of the mortar and refill it. If the cracks don't reappear, then you probably don't have a problem.

 

[^woody^]

Timber or solid floors?

Was the place empty for a long time?

What direction does that wall face?

 

[martygturner]

As its below that airbrick I would suggest a wall tie has expanded, I would just chop out the two cracked bricks and remove any ties below that brick and repoint. Add a cowl /or slope it forward if the air brick faces into the weather.

 

[james.wrigh]

Timber or solid floors?

Was the place empty for a long time?

What direction does that wall face?

Timber floors
I do not believe the property was empty for a large amount of time but possibly a few months
West facing
Thank you

 

[martygturner]

All the ingredients for a bit of cracking then, a route in / out for moisture and some freeze thaw from a west aspect facing into the incoming weather...bit of spring maintenance, two bricks and a bucket of mortar. Just drill loads of holes round the bricks so you can wiggle them out.

 

[james.wrigh]

All the ingredients for a bit of cracking then, a route in / out for moisture and some freeze thaw from a west aspect facing into the incoming weather...bit of spring maintenance, two bricks and a bucket of mortar. Just drill loads of holes round the bricks so you can wiggle them out.

That is some relief, thank you

 

[^woody^]

The vertical crack is indicative of thermal movement - heat/wet/shrinkage. The stepped crack most likely the same cause in a weaker mortar.

See how it goes over the winter spring and summer and if its not significantly changed then it could be repointed and cracked bricks replaced.

The new random air brick is curious and not going anything unless the cavity has been lined and air ducted to the underfloor void