Screeded outside wall question

[bobmax]

Hi
First post, hope I've posted in the correct forum.

I'm panicking at the moment because:

I have a half screeded wall (top half screed , bottom half brick)
and approx 5 years ago the whole of the screeded area came down, and I had to get a guy to do it again.
Anyway the reason for the panic is that several large cracks have appeared in the screed and because of the cold weather I worry that water will get into the cracks and freeze therefore expanding and bringing the screeded area down again.
is this likely to happen?

And What is the easiest/cheapest way to repair these cracks before I get another disaster please?
Any Info/Comments will be very much appreciated.

Thanks

Bob

Edit.
How do I subscribe to a post here please?

 

[dann09]

I think that this post should be in the Plastering Forum, but no harm done.

Could you post pics of the rendered wall, close-ups of the cracks, and whole elevation views. Pics will show us what we're dealing with and type of finish.

When did the cracks appear, or when did you first notice them?

 

[joe-90]

Does the area sound hollow when you tap it? If so it'll have to be done again in spring.

 

[bobmax]

I think that this post should be in the Plastering Forum, but no harm done.

Could you post pics of the rendered wall, close-ups of the cracks, and whole elevation views. Pics will show us what we're dealing with and type of finish.

When did the cracks appear, or when did you first notice them?

Thank you I will take some photos as soon as poss.

I first noticed them approx 4 weeks ago. Idon't normally go around inspecting the walls, but noticed this when I had a problem with a fence post (that's another story...LOL)

 

[bobmax]

Does the area sound hollow when you tap it? If so it'll have to be done again in spring.

Thank you also.
I can't quite reach the cracked area, but will have to get the ladders out I suppose.
Damn!! I hope it won't need doing again. It'll probably cost me my arm.
Can this sort of thing be repaired?

I suppose you'll be able to answer that question when I can get some photos done.

Does this forum have a picture uploader or will I have to go through Photo bucket or the likes?

Thanks again guys.

Edit:
Sorry just noticed the "upload new images" tag.

 

[bobmax]

Here are some photos of the cracks (at last )

http://media.diynot.com/198000_197219_54271_76557213_thumb.jpg

http://media.diynot.com/198000_197219_54272_42753491_thumb.jpg

http://media.diynot.com/198000_197219_54273_88939344_thumb.jpg

Hope I've done it right?

 

[Nige F]

Damn!! I hope it won't need doing again. It'll probably cost me my arm.
.

depends who you get to do it . When it fell off - did the bricks look OK - let it fall again and leave it brickwork

 

[roughcaster]

That does look pretty grim. I'd get up there with a ladder as soon as possible and tap around as Joe says, but looking at it from the pics, i'd say it's had it's day. If it is as bad as it looks, it'll need doing again. Even if it is sound in places, i'd still remove the lot and start again, because it will never look good with repaired/patched areas all over the wall and it will also be a far quicker way to do the job. For the render to do this twice, (re-rendered 5 years ago), is bad, so removing the render will enable you to have a good look at the brickwork to see what might be causing the problem.

 

[bobmax]

Thank you guys.
didn't think you would be able to see the pics properly as they are small.

guess I'll have to bite the bullet and get a pro in to estimate.

Don't know if it makes a difference, but the "bricks" behind the render are soft blocks?
If I ever move, I won't get rendered walls again...Too much hassle, plus I don't really like the look of it.
thanks again.

 

[Nige F]

Don't know if it makes a difference, but the "bricks" behind the render are soft blocks?

YES that makes a difference - and is probably why it`s fallen/is falling off Probably Celcon blocks - notorious for sucking the life out of render - inside under setting plaster too- and need @ the very least soaking with a hosepipe before trying to get the scratch coat to stick