Deep rendering cracks 1930s house

[Veranella]

Hello,

I was wondering whether anybody has experience with cracks in bay windows in 1930s houses. I am buying a house and the building survey revealed some deep cracks around the bay windows.


Here is what the report says about the walls:

“… My main concern was the cracking to the rendering of the bay windows especially at first floor level. The photos clearly show some very deep cracks which have caused the render to come away from its sub base. The pallet knife went in 100mm. This will need to be investigated further by removing the rendering which will indicate how serious the problem is and whether the wall/sub-base is effected.”


I am adding some photos from the report.


I realise without seeing it for yourself it is difficult to say for sure from the photos only (and obviously I understand that the surveyor advises to investigate it further), but does it look on the photos like something to walk away from? I know that things can be fixed and it is only a question of money…. My main concerns are (1) potential problems with getting insurance for the house and (2) if the issue is serious, the cost of fixing the issue (I assume it cannot be put on the house insurance since the problem exists and I know about it before getting insurance). Anything else I should worry about?

 

[Trazor]

Walk away, there are thousands of other properties.

 

[transam]

Worst case scenario

foundations ??? Under pinning and all that expense

may be possibly ?

( not a builder )

 

[Lower]

Bay windows in houses of that period were often built without proper foundations and consequently its common to see cracking as the bays move in relation to the house.

Our last two houses had it, to a greater or lesser degree. Its the severity that you need to be concerned about.

it would be useful to have some pictures taken further away to show context, but i doubt you'll have any problems getting insurance but you probably won't be able to claim on your insurance for the remedials as it was a known problem when you bought the house.

 

[Scarlet Pimpernel]

Images from a few meters further away would help.
If you don't fancy any remedial work, then take the advice and walk away.
Otherwise if the house is attractive to you for other reasons, it might be possible to conclude whether it's just the bay window that needs remedying, and a useful discount could be negotiated.
Are there similar houses in that street? Have they been remedied? Do they look as though they've had similar problems?

 

[Veranella]

Are there similar houses in that street? Have they been remedied? Do they look as though they've had similar problems?

I was looking at another house on that street before I saw the one I am buying, and that other house also had some cracks. That other house was better looked after though and those cracks were filled (see the photo of the other house attached). And I was also told by the owner of that house that other houses on the street, apparently, had this issue too.

 

[securespark]

Someone I knew was considering purchasing a similar property and allowed 10K for repairs.

 

[securespark]

I have a similar issue to fix Chez Secure, but I don't have bays and I know the issue is not related to ground movement.

Just had a quote for 5K plus whatever is under the render. Need to get some more quotes but getting people round is a nightmare! We had to pay this builder for the quote, £96, refundable against the job if we go ahead.

 

[Trazor]

I was looking at another house on that street before I saw the one I am buying, and that other house also had some cracks. That other house was better looked after though and those cracks were filled (see the photo of the other house attached). And I was also told by the owner of that house that other houses on the street, apparently, had this issue too.

View attachment 236113

That "filling" could just be cosmetic, and may hide a deeper problem.

Unless you have compelling reasons to purchase, as I said above, walk away.

Selling in the future, will provide another set of problems for you.

 

[^woody^]

Poxy surveyor' report.

Those cracks are years old, and cracking is typical on all tradditional house bays. There is no evidence of current or progressive movement from those photos or cracks, and your surveyor should have explained that.

 

[blup]

There is some evidence of a previous localised repair in the second pic, grey render/stones contrasting with the sandy coloured original.

Ask your surveyor to confirm whether in his view there has been recent movement. If you're getting a mortgage what will they want done, if anything, as a condition of the loan.

Blup

 

[motorbiking]

What does it look like on the inside? I note they have installed UPVC windows. many original 1930s houses had the windows built in as part of the build so they became structural.

 

[Veranella]

What does it look like on the inside? I note they have installed UPVC windows. many original 1930s houses had the windows built in as part of the build so they became structural.

Yes, I believe the front windows were replaced. On the inside in the ground floor the window sill has a gap underneath it like in the photo.

 

[motorbiking]

Is it a single skin bay window? i.e. about 5" thick?

 

[Veranella]

Is it a single skin bay window? i.e. about 5" thick?

I’m not sure I know what “single skin” means. I think they are double glazing (but I suspect this is not the correct answer to your question )