What causes these cracks in external walls

[Chris Warman]

Hi all, can anyone tell me what may have caused these cracks in the brickwork. Cracks on an external wall on the front of the house. No cracks on internal wall. The cracks are approx 2mm in width. Wall is solid, not cavity. House approx 100 years old. 2 ground floor extension's have been built over the years on the back of the house. Homebuyers survey has suggested it may be the weight of the roof as they couldn't confirm lintels above the first floor windows or may be problem with supporting joists behind the wall as they noted a slight bulge in the wall roughly in the same area as the cracks. It's a middle terraced house and no cracks seem evident on neighbouring properties. There are several large trees 10 metres away and by a busy road 12 metres away.

 

[JohnD]

please take some pics to show

the whole width of brickwork above and beside the windows

indicate where the cracks are

the entire front or side of the house including the roof

the wall, below these cracks, including the base of the wall with the ground, paving, and any nearby pipes, drains or manholes.

 

[Notch7]

the face brickwork is shockingly bad -the crack below the window follows the perps -which are almost in line with one another

I wonder if the house originally had lintels above the windows -maybe they were added when the upvc windows were installed and the movement caused some cracking

maybe the wall is bulging due to rusty brick ties?

I think its a combination of some movement and the poor brickwork

 

[JohnD]

rusty brick ties?

Wall is solid, not cavity.

 

[^woody^]

Those are shrinkage cracks, typically related to what look like soft absorbent bricks and strong mortar. Very common, not a significant structural concern, but would still need dealing with by brick replacement and repointing.

 

[Notch7]

looking a bit closer it rather looks like Flemish garden wall bond / Sussex bond

 

[Chris Warman]

Hi, thank you all. I have taken more pics of either side of the window and below and the cracks are in the white boxes. Also added pics to show the base of the front of the house.

 

[^woody^]

More pictures does not change things

 

[noseall]

More pictures does not change things

Are you sure? That aerial falling from the chimney may have had something to do with it. And the OP's fondness for Bluebells is a sure sign. Very sinister.