House Extension Wall Connection Query

[andyfirth]

Hi all, I'm just after some advice as I can't seem to find anything on the internet. I'm looking at purchasing a house that had an extension built 10 years ago. Due to the slope and the land built on the house and the extension were built on a raft foundation, however with the walls a hard connection was used instead of a soft connection. This led to the rear wall begining to come away from the original house after 1 year. This was fixed and apprently has been recently checked to check it was ok. However I can't find anything about what a soft or hard connection is? Also, do people think the house and extension would be ok if it was fixed and has been checked since, or would you advise to stay clear due to the history of the problem?

Any help or advice would be much appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Alastairreid]

Wall starter packs are used which allow for a certain amount of movement between new and old http://www.sabrefix.co.uk/products_ancillary_view.php?id=64
The joint would then be filled with mastic to allow for movement.

The hard method used would be toothing in the brickwork to old.
http://www.squirrelconstruction.co.uk/house_extension_toothing_in.php