Cosmetic or Structural Cracking? Expertise please

Hi,

We're about to embark on a significant renovation project on a 1970s detached house we recently bought. Although nothing was picked up by our building surveyor - nor the structural engineer and three builders quoting on the project, I've since had a very concerned handyman take issue with our brickwork (photos attached).

Much of the external brickwork is peppered with very small <1mm hairline cracks (mostly vertical but some radial), many of which extend through the majority of the brick's height. While I'm no expert, I had assumed these were cosmetic and a result of thermal changes but would appreciate some second opinions. I've not seen examples of this elsewhere and not much online.

I am going to have another builder look and potentially my surveyor back - but I'd be grateful for any expert opinions here. Is this a common phenomenon?

Many thanks
Ben

B Wilde, good evening.

Many bricks have by the nature of the materials they are made from, indeed the entire production process, will produce surface cracking in individual brick faces, some types of brick will display more or less cracking than others.

Nothing at all to be concerned about, indeed your bricks are displaying a fairly low level of surface cracks compared to some brick I have seen.

Ken.

Badly fired bricks. Not structural issue.

I bet you are going to be looking at bricks wherever you go from now on

it’s nothing to worry about….politely tell your handyman he is wrong.

Very helpful, thank you @KenGMac, @^woody^ and @Notch7