Horizontal Crack Above Bay Window

Billy187 · 14 May 2021

Hi Guys,

Been to view a house recently that i am considering to go for but just wanted to get a second opinion on a long horizontal crack above the bay window in the front lounge. Noticed there to be a few bricks that have moved on the outside just above.

Nozzle · 14 May 2021

Some bay windows rely on the timber frame for the structure - when windows get replaced, either the structure needs supporting some otherway (steels in floor?) or eventually it sags.

I'm no expert, and the experts will be along soon - but that's where my money is. I note the neighbour has UPVC windows and their bay is not collapsing. Knock on their door and enquire what structural work was done. It may well be that none was done, and they don't yet know the hidden problem, so be subtle about it. You don't want to offend your potential new neighbour.

Nozzle

cdbe · 14 May 2021

All that weigh on those spindly little window frames!
You need new windows with structural bay poles, possibly rebuilding 9most of the brickwork above the bay (if the seller is paying) or a bit of repointing once stabilised if you can live with it being a bit out of plumb.

Neighbour has much more substantial corner posts on their windows which suggests they have the correct bay poles.

Is the ground floor brickwork ok, looks a bit droopy but could be the photo?

That's a nice looking house, make sure you get a really good bricklayer in if you do any rebuilding.

Billy187 · 14 May 2021

Thank you for your input guys.

The house looks to have been empty for a few years and needs a full renovation anyway but i dont want to get involved if it could be anything major structurally. Owner of the property seems to have passed away and the house is being sold by the family and so most likely it will mean satisfying myself and taking the house as it is.

Nozzle · 14 May 2021

Or blagging a discount.

Nozzle

Notch7 · 14 May 2021

Billy187 said:
but i dont want to get involved if it could be anything major structurally

as others have said -problem is caused by those god awful aly windows which have ruined the period styling.

mind you the neighbours house looks ot have replacement windows that dont look great -I cant possibly imagine the originals were stormproofed.

the house looks fine structurally -at least from the grainy pics

mrrusty · 15 May 2021

Yes, the windows are all wrong. Most likely as others have said the frames are not structurally strong enough. No bay poles fitted. However, I expect all the brick is re-useable. It could be a smart house, but I would plan to replace all the windows with something more in period, and rebuild the whole of the bay. It's not structural to the extent that it's only the bay - the bay doesn't hold up the rest of the house - still a substantial job to do properly though.

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Horizontal Crack Above Bay Window

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