Advice needed - cracks in wall next to window

[randers]

Hi. Can someone help me with some advice please?
I have a crack in the wall next to me kitchen window. It's been growing over the last couple of years. Today I notice that the bricks outside, above the window and presumably by the lintel (assuming there is one!!) seem to be parting company with their brick mates. Could you tell me who I need to call in to assess the problem/solution - is it something you'd expect any builder to look at and get right, do I need a specialist of some sort to examine it (and if so what am I looking for - how would the right person describe themselves) etc. Grateful for all help & guidance! Thanks.

 

[Johnny Allround]

Hi Randers, my take on this is as follows.1: I’d be very surprised if you have a lintel or at least a length of flatiron that acts as a reinforcement to your window. 2: your window is bowing along the top suggesting that it’s not reinforced to cope with the weight. 3: brick movement will cause the very signs your photo’s are portraying. 4: if your windows are still under guarantee get them back to investigate. If they are not I would employ a window company to certainly have a look they should know what to do if they are fensa registered. Hope this helps.

 

[^woody^]

You need a lintel. Front and possibly back, and repairs to the wall bearing inside - proper bonded in brick repair not pointed up.

Any good builder should be able to sort this out, but finding one will be a bigger problem than that crack.

When the frame was changed to plastic, they should have put a lintel in then.