Stair Step Cracks in Exterior Brick Wall

Joined
17 Mar 2015
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Location
Warwickshire
Country
United Kingdom
Hello, we are looking into buying a house and noticed few stair step cracks as shown in the pictures attached. At most places cracks starts from either the window or patio-doors top or bottom. From a builders point it is not serious as he mentioned the cracks may have appeared as no window lintels were placed when putting in the windows..We will obviously have it inspected but thought to just put it out here to get some advice. Any suggestions..Thanks

//www.diynot.com/network/kam2014/albums/24478
 
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Who said no lintels have been positioned above the PVC w/f's?

Thermal movement cracks are very common and, typically not serious. Perhaps some of the cracks are thermal?
However, some of your cracks appear on the external & internal (matching?) wall surfaces. Slightly more interesting.

There's also the issue of the extension - how its tied-in, the knock-thro, and its foundations. Is a completion Cert available?

The rainwater goods require attention, of course.

None of the above should put you off buying - a mortgage survey might be adequate?
 
Hi Ree,

Thanks for getting back..yeah the lintels advice was on the windows at front, I have attached a new photo( //www.diynot.com/network/kam2014/albums/24478/92203 )...

think the previous photo you looked at was of crack above the Patio door..yeah one picture of internal crack is not matching, there is no crack outside on that wall, also that crack doesn't look serious as it is very thin line..kind of ones appears in plaster often....yeah, the Rainwater pipe definitely need changing as you suggested as well..Estate agent did confirm the completion certificate is in place, but will surely check that... :)
 
That ugly soil/vent pipe is asbestos/cement so don't go sanding it when it gets repainted :!: I personally would use it's presence as a bargaining point for a lower £££ ;)
 
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This is a fairly common problem and the cracks were no doubt caused when the UPVc frames were installed as the head of brickwork was not adequately supported when the old windows were removed. It is likely that the old timber windows provided structural support for the brickwork above and it is also likely the the replacement UPVc windows are not manufactured to include an internal structural steel frame to take these loads. There is no visual evidence that a lintel is installed and this is something that may need further investigation. Often you will see UPVc windows start to sag in the middle under the applied loads. Worse case scenario is that you will have to install remedial helibar lintels above the windows to prevent further cracking of the brickwork but at this stage it is simply something that I would monitor before making a decision. If the cracking gets worse then Helibar installation is the most cost effective solution.
 

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