Crack in wall

[Marylou47a]

Hello,

It’s one of these again. I have a crack in an external wall which I think has been there for ages. Don’t think it’s changed and I never thought much about it. We are looking at replacing the patio doors underneath and so I figured I should actually think about it. The house is 1900 and this is at the back, crack coming from the corner of back bedroom window above the kitchen doors. There’s another hairline one below.

I want to know if I need to get a structural engineer to look at it or not. I have no idea what is or isn’t concerning or what to do about these things so pls be nice

Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

[jj4091]

Do you mean a short crack in the joint one course up above the new bricks and the crack from the window. If so then I would think it is nothing to worry about. It probably had a catnic lintel or similar fitted when the doors were done and and has just settled a little. Perhaps the opening was widened. Sealing it won't do any harm though. Ask the window fitters to check there is a lintel and cavity tray and if they could squirt some clear silicon in while they are there. Tea and biscuits work wonders.

 

[Marylou47a]

Yes the stepped one coming off the corner of the window and then another stepped one starting above the new bricks.

The one coming off the corner of the window has a corresponding hairline crack internally, is that a worry?

I did wonder if it might be related to the door. The whole of that back wall looks a right mess and needs repointing as well as the door replaced.

Like I said, as I have no idea about cracks etc it’s hard to know when to worry. We have plenty of other hairline cracks internally that I just ignore as well as I kinda figure a 120 year old house is going to be a bit wonky? But you can go down real rabbit holes on the internet when you google cracks.

When we get the doors replaced, if there isn’t a lintel do we need to get them to put one on? And is it just a builder/fitter I need for the doors or do we need an engineer for that too?

Sorry I am totally useless at all things like this but I am trying to learn! Thank you for your help!