Lintel problems / failing?

[jasysbutton]

Hi

Im looking for some advice please. Ive attached a pic of our utility window from the outside. As you can see theres a whopping big crack. There is also a bit of a fine hairline crack on the render above where it looks like the lintel is... but can't capture that on camera well enough to post. There is NO cracking internally at all. My husband says its fine and just leave alone... (well of course cos its gonna cost ££) but I worry and think its something that needs looked at? Do we need a new lintel? Is that the extent of the problem or could there be more structural damage above that the render is hiding? Also concerned that before we bought the house previous owners had a lot of shoddy work done including cheap UPVC windows that a friend helped them install 'themselves'.... could that be part of problem? Also we had a small single story extension built at the rear last year (2.5x3m) - it's a few meters from the problem area but could the extension in any way be causing this? Pulling on the original house.

The house is a 1930's semi. Do we need a structural engineer to assess it before fixing or can we just get a builder in. Help!

Thanks for any advice!

 

[theprinceofdarkness]

It looks as though the two skins of your wall are separating. What is above the lintel? have there been any funny goings on in the inside?
Frank

 

[^woody^]

The external half of the wall was built off the old frame and the old frame was further forward.

It's such a short span so it's not an issue. Listen to your husband.

You could do with sealing that gap though.

 

[jasysbutton]

Hi - thanks for the replies! There is no problems internally at all. Above the lintel is render on outside and the room above is the bathroom. So it's not a problem if the 2 skins of the wall are separating? Thanks again and I will need to show my husband this (reluctantly) - he has won

Cheers