Serious Crack On Inside And Outside

[JackK]

Hi fellow members

Can I get you opinion on this crack which appears on the first floor of the house - Am really concerned about this

This appears on the inside and outside of the window and I dont want to ask insurance company to give an opinion before I have had a good look myself

I think the gutters need replacing which is fine but is there any other reason to panic about long term damage to the brick walls which will need expensive foundation repairs?

 

[^woody^]

Lack of support since the plastic windows were fitted (cracks only at first floor level) or bay foundation movement (cracks at ground floor level too).

 

[JackK]

There is no cracks at ground level. Do you think it’s window install related. They have been there for twenty years or so

 

[^woody^]

Most likely.

That's not to say that the bay is going to fall down, but more of a case of the plastic frames may not be able to deal with the normal moving and flexing that occurs in buildings naturally.

Things like excess damp or extreme dryness can also cause moving and cracking where there was not much in previous years. So if the gutter is leaking over it, sort that out

If you are concerned, then a structural engineer is the appropriate person to advice on cause and remedy, if you don't want to go through the insurance.

As a temporary measure, you could fill the external crack with silicone or suchlike mastic, ensure its properly sealed top to bottom, and then monitor it over the next year to see if its moving out.

 

[JackK]

Thank you - Thats very helpful - Because I am completely new to this how worried should I be - I mean is the house going to fall down, bricks collapse etc? Or is it more superficial and not serious?!

Trying to save funds to get this repaired off course

 

[stuart45]

Is the wall inbetween the bays timber frame or single skin brick?

 

[JackK]

Hi its bricks and there is a piece of timber underneath the bricks

 

[oldbutnotdead]

+1 for bay windows not fitted with jackpoles (or not fitted properly)
Do the opening windows open and close easily? Can you offer a straight edge to the top and bottom of the frames (tricky I know with them being the shape they are but even a 1 foot steel rule may tell you a story)