Slightly worrying cracks in walls, any advice?

[russ9898]

Hi everyone,

I've spotted cracks in several rooms within my house. Property was built in 1995 and is a detached home. Cracks are visible in the plaster only and do not run through to the external brickwork. The cracks have appeared below the bedroom window, below the landing window and around the Lounge window.

Here is the crack below the landing window. It runs from the window sill to the skirting. Directly below the crack is the properties front door? I filled this crack approximately 9 months ago when we decorated and it has since returned. -

This is the crack in the bedroom, again it runs from window sill to skirting board and again has a sliding patio door below? As above, i filled this about 12 months ago whilst decorating and it has since returned -

Finally, these are the lounge cracks. Initially a thought the ceiling cracks were just poorly taped plasterboard joins but now cracks have appeared on the walls around im not so sure. The cracks on the walls are either side of the windows. -

Does anyone have any ideas on the cause and solution to these cracks? I'm don't think its subsidence as the cracks do not run through to the external brickwork but then im now surveyor either.

Many Thanks,

Russ

 

[Nightglow]

Does anyone have any ideas on the cause and solution to these cracks? I'm don't think its subsidence as the cracks do not run through to the external brickwork but then im now surveyor either.

I have seen several houses where only the inside walls are affected by subsidence at first, then after a while you start to notice exterior cracks, & windows, doors start to stick a little.

A lot of coalmines under Staffordshire.

 

[LOAM]

Have they just appeared or are they old and what is the construction of the wall, is it timber framed or brick / block ?

 

[Nightglow]

Have they just appeared or are they old and what is the construction of the wall, is it timber framed or brick / block ?

I was just about to ask that, had the phone not rung.

 

[Maccapacca]

Fill it with Devil One Time and paint over and forget, any insurance company won't be interested unless you can fit your fingers in the crack.

Settlement happens over years and ground heave can change month by month expecially if you are on clay. Unless you're house is built on piled foundations cracking will always happen especially around that era of building. We have vracks that open up in the summer and close in the winter, hair line but we are on heavy clay that shrinks with moisture loss.

It's totally natural.

Unless of course all those cracks are just in one corner of the room.

 

[russ9898]

I have only owned the property since May 2012.

The crack in the bedroom was there when we got the keys, I presumed it was movement from the sliding door below.

The landing i found when i stripped the wallpaper in September 2012 at which point i filled in but has now returned.

The Lounge i noticed about 6 months ago but tried to remain in ignorant bliss with it until it got to the point of not being able to ignore it any longer today.

The walls are brick and block, internal walls on the ground floor are also constructed from block as opposed to timber studs.

 

[russ9898]

Fill it with Devil One Time and paint over and forget, any insurance company won't be interested unless you can fit your fingers in the crack.

Settlement happens over years and ground heave can change month by month expecially if you are on clay. Unless you're house is built on piled foundations cracking will always happen especially around that era of building. We have vracks that open up in the summer and close in the winter, hair line but we are on heavy clay that shrinks with moisture loss.

It's totally natural.

Unless of course all those cracks are just in one corner of the room.

The cracks are on both the front and rear elevations of the property. Front left and rear right (opposing corners). The crack below the landing window is smack bang in the centre of the property.

The house is constructed on heavy clay I believe as I found out when we have any form of rainful the back lawn floods due to the lack of permeability in the ground.

Just to add, the walls aren't dry lined. They are plastered with undercoat and finish. (I found this surprising given the age of the property)

 

[Maccapacca]

We had the exact crack on our landing window.

Full skim is not really old or new, each plasterer will prefer one or another, most social landlords don't like tape and joint and it also depends on the weather, if it's too cold it's almost impossible to tape and joint as the jonit material never goes off and it's a 4 pass activity where as you can plaster cold but it takes a while to dry you can get on with other stuff.

Any building now on clay needs to be piled for these reasons, NHBC won't warranty a house on clay without piles that includes any bays or attached garages all need to be piled.

 

[Maccapacca]

The Red Devil Foam is better for this type of crack as it's a mouse and you can squeeze it in the fine crack, the plaster based material will just sit on the top and crack again or fall out.