Subsidence/brick crack

[roszkowska.ewelina@w]

Hello, can these cracks be caused by subsidence or are they usually cracks?House from 1950

 

[Notch7]

Cracks above a window or door opening are more likely due to lack of a lintel or a poor lintel

It often happens after upvc is fitted when replacing timber or steel windows.

 

[roszkowska.ewelina@w]

one is under the window and the other is above the kitchen window, we also have a few cracks inside,that's where the crack is under the window

 

[^woody^]

Those cracks could be caused by subsidence, along with several other possible causes.

 

[roszkowska.ewelina@w]

what can we do in such a situation? We bought the house recently and the lower crack was covered with bags and no one saw it, should we keep an eye on it or call the insurance?

 

[^woody^]

For a proper assessment, you will need a report by a structural engineer, or a building surveyor - if he is able to comment on cracking without referring to a structural engineer. Not a builder, not anyone else.

For diagnosis, someone needs to look at the building and the external areas and form an opinion on the most likely cause, based on several factors. Anything else is guesswork. The crack is the symptom, and you need to know the cause first, deal with the cause, and then repair the cracking and plaster.

I would avoid contacting the insurance at this stage. Your insurer is there to minimise any payout and will give a biased opinion. But just by notifying them, you put them on notice and that alone could increase future premiums.

 

[roszkowska.ewelina@w]

The property has suffered previous movement but I saw no evidence to suggest this is ongoing. Was it in the bank note or do I have to report it to the insurance? I honestly don't know about this