Cracks in bedroom wall above 1yr old single storey extension

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25 Jan 2010
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Buckinghamshire
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United Kingdom
we had a single storey extension built a year ago (extending our lounge out), and last week large cracks appeared in the bedroom wall above the RSJ put in as part of this extension work (so in the old bedroom wall that the new extension sloping roof joins onto). One of the cracks is so big/wide, it split the skirting in two.

Does this mean that we have a structural problem with the extension?

Our builder says it's just settlement, but the cracks seem quite severe for that (and would settlement happen in this location, rather than in the main extension wall)?

There is one very large crack from the floor to the top of a radiator, and some smaller cracks below the windowsill.

any advice would be appreciated.
 
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Give us a longer shot photo Sally, so the cracks can be seen in relation to the radiator, skirting etc.
 
This type of cracking can happen if the packing between the RSJ and the existing wall isn't done properly.
 
So what do we need to do to rectify? Is it just a case of filling the cracks? Or do we need the builder to repack the gap between the blocks and RSJ? Thanks
 
So what do we need to do to rectify? Is it just a case of filling the cracks? Or do we need the builder to repack the gap between the blocks and RSJ? Thanks
 
It may not be the cause, but if it is it might have gone as far as it is going to. Monitor the movement and see if it stabalises. Some settlement is always going to happen, but that looks too much. It looks like the wall has dropped in the centre, as the crack looks wider at the bottom.
You wouldn't get a crack like that on an old wall with thermal movement.
Is it a solid or cavity wall?
 
Whatever's happened, it would take a lot of downward pressure to snap the skirting through the middle like that. I'm with Stuart, something's dropped/moved downwards. I'd get professional advice as to what's happened, and why, and take it from there. I don't think it's just a case of patching up the cracks. Keep us informed if you would, and good luck.
 
what size was the rsj they put in , was it calced by structual engineer?
was it a bolt together 1 ? questions that need answering tbh , get ya builder back tell him you want a structual enginners report done packing of rsjs should always be done with slate so if this was the case that wouldent be the problem .
 

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