90s house various cracks

[ckl139]

Hi,
Looking at a 90s detached house and have spotted various cracks.

1. Internal garage wall - cracks in block ref images marked up in blue. Speaking to a friend, it's been suggested these could be thermal but nothing to worry about. When querying the seller, was told these were present when they bought in 90s and haven't moved.



2. Cracks above door way. Ref 2 x images. Again, speaking to friend, suggestion is maybe thermal, given wall likely block. Seller suggested these will filled as part of redecor but appear to have reappeared. Unknown when / if same.

3. Cracks to brick joints above garage door. Garage door whilst not shown in picture is large span double width with no middle pier etc. It has a thin metal lintel from what I've seen. Friend suggests lintel failure- common. Seller states been there since purchase in 90s.

None of the 3 are on the same walls, all separate.

With the view from my friend, these don't appear serious, but we've agreed should I proceed a survey at least would be done.

However, I wanted other views on this I.e could any of these be serious or something to worry about that would suggest walking away full stop?

 

[blup]

Get an SE in regarding the diagonal cracking at the lintel edge, it can be a sign of something more serious. Verbal representations by the seller are excluded in the contract iirc so the onus on you is to investigate further.

 

[^woody^]

None appear serious, but should be assessed professionally as either way there are costs for the correct repair.

Bear in mind that if you instruct a building surveyor to survey, if they are not technically qualified to comment on structural matters, they will just recommend a further survey from someone who is - ie a structural engineer.

Ask the question before you choose the surveyor.

 

[ckl139]

Get an SE in regarding the diagonal cracking at the lintel edge, it can be a sign of something more serious. Verbal representations by the seller are excluded in the contract iirc so the onus on you is to investigate further.

Thanks. Which lintel edge are you referring to, the internal pic or outdoor garage?

 

[tony1851]

Aerated concrete block is well-known for shrinkage cracking. Generally not necessarily an indication of anything more serious.

 

[robinbanks]

Is the dormer above the garage original? Perhaps the weight from it/its floor is bearing directly on the garage lintel and it's not quite up to the job

 

[ckl139]

Is the dormer above the garage original? Perhaps the weight from it/its floor is bearing directly on the garage lintel and it's not quite up to the job

Yes original build. There's a house depth room there.

 

[ckl139]

Would an SE definitely be able to identify a root cause.... that would allow us to make a decision to purchase or not....

 

[martygturner]

Would an SE definitely be able to identify a root cause.... that would allow us to make a decision to purchase or not....

Never seen any house that does not have some form of cracks. But a SE may be able to identify the cause, but would most likely give an opinion not a definitive answer... its asking a lot to get an absolute answer unless there is a ongoing identifable cause eg living next to a major road.

The key question is will it get any worse.. from the photos those just look like settlement cracks and are probably historic... if they were new or expanding there would be tell tale marks of brick, plaster, block dust.

Get an SE in to reassure yourself... but lets face it every home comes with issues new ones, old ones. If you need reassurance ask your solicitor to get some indemnity insurance off the seller.