Advice regarding wall crack please

[shigrod]

We are seriously considering putting an offer in on a 1930's semi.
However, there is a crack in the wall at the front of the house from under a bedroom window which runs down to the lintel above the front door.
It can be seen from the outside of the house but isn't very wode, however in the bedroom it is wider. There are also cracks in rooms further back in the house level with where the one is at the front.
Coudl it be subsidence that caused it? The house is on flat land.

We are unsure of the seriousness of it and also how it could be rectified if needed.

I have attached photos and would appreciate any thoughts on this please.

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• shigrod
• 4 Jul 2010
• 1

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• shigrod
• 4 Jul 2010
• 1

this is a room further back in the house but this small crack is at the same point as the one in...

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• shigrod
• 4 Jul 2010
• 1

from the outside

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• shigrod
• 4 Jul 2010
• 1

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• shigrod
• 4 Jul 2010
• 1

in the kitchen level with the other cracks.

 

[Nige F]

West Glamorgan - any mining etc. from years ago Vicarage - get praying that it`ll be allright - I`m not convinced personally . See what others have to say.

 

[ColJack]

if it's right trough from front to back then I'd steer well clear.. the whole side of the house has dropped at some point and if the crack is on show throughout then it's probably fairly recent ( after all if it was a few years ago you'd have papered over it by now surely? )

at the front it's mainly followed the mortar lines except for the bottom brick where it's split the brick in half..

do a quick google on the area and see if there has been any kind of earthquakes in the area in recent years ( don't laugh, we had one here a few years ago and peoples chimneys were falling down etc.. ). or any kind of underground collapses etc.. ..

 

[roughcaster]

Worth checking out, before committing yourself.

 

[jeds]

Yes it could be subsidence. Or it might not be.

If you go ahead with the purchase you will either need to get it repaired to a certified standard or you will have the same issue when you come to sell. Therefore you need to know what the problem is and the estimated cost of repair.

This forum can point you in general directions but it can't provide that sort of detail.