any structural surveyors about?

darklord

darklord

New member
any of you good people work in this field? i got a few cracks appearing and wanted a second opinion on them.
i got my house pinned 5 years ago when i moved in, having just finished renovating it a few months back including whole house replastered 18 months ago then decorated 6 months ago, i now have cracka appearing, most are round lintels and sills but a few are horizontal across the middle of the walls, i would say nearly all are hairline.
i think they are probably from thermal movement from what i\'ve read but a second opinion would be good
 
airhead

airhead

Coffin Dodger / Keymaster
I\'m not a structural PE, but I work with concrete a lot. I\'d keep an eye on them. Any start opening up to a measureable amount, then I\'d call in a pro.

Be careful of calling in a foundation repair company - if they come out, you\'ll probably need work. :rolleyes:

Don\'t know about over there, but here, I\'d look for a good civil structural engineer to come out and do a look around.

You had it pinned? You mean the foundation pinned? That should stop all movement of the house.
 
B

Beelzebrush

Active member
When you say \'pinned\' do you mean underpinned? Or do you mean that a surveyor has fixed metal pins into your brickwork to observe a known problem?

Underpinning will also be succeptible to a minimal amount of settlement but this would be localised to the areas that have had the work done.

My best guess from your description is that it\'s shrinkage due to thermal and moisture changes... especially as you\'ve had a large amount of plastering done. New timber works will also be highly likely to be affected due to the above.
 
darklord

darklord

New member
not underpinned was the wall tie things. they are just hairline cracks at the moment but wanted to check.

thanks guys for the help
 
J

Jazz is for losers

New member
I have usually found that hairline cracks appearing months after plastering work has been completed is not a great thing. It is unlikely to be structurally significant but it is annoying having to shell out for repair considering that you\'ll probably have to make further repairs later on down the line.

Is this caused by changes in thermal and moisture conditions? tbh I\'d doubt this. Yes there will be timber involved in the construction of these walls (if they\'re interior stud walls) but it shouldn\'t really crack your plaster, not this long after the work has been completed.

I could be all wrong about this, it has been some time since I was at university and I didn\'t pay much attention when I was there. All I do these days is sit in front of a computer and draw buildings, I don\'t really have to worry about what happens to them after they\'re built.

I don\'t reccomend that you take your advice from an internet forum dedicated to miniature painting. If you don\'t want to hire a surveyor you should at least buy a book on the subject.

One of my friends took a bsc in surveying though, perhaps he can advise you. Where abouts in the North East are you \"stuck\"?
 
darklord

darklord

New member
the walls affected are all brick with plaster skim on, the stud walls are all fine.
as for advice, i wont use here as a complete answer more wether i should see if they expand or seek help immediatley.
i am near peterlee
 
B

Beelzebrush

Active member
Originally posted by Jazz is for losers


Is this caused by changes in thermal and moisture conditions? tbh I\'d doubt this. Yes there will be timber involved in the construction of these walls (if they\'re interior stud walls) but it shouldn\'t really crack your plaster, not this long after the work has been completed.
Click to expand...

Actually timber (and most of the rest of the building) never actually stops moving. This is due in part to both moisture and temperature (hence the need for expansion joints in certain structures etc.)

Plaster can take ages to fully cure and is succeptible to shrinkage caused again by atmospheric changes/drying process etc.

I\'ve done quite a few refurbs and renovations and this is pretty commonplace.

If you are worried about it, seek the advice of a recommended builder or surveyor.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back To Top
Top