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Big Crack... What Would Be The Cause

  • 23-03-2011 2:39pm
    #1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 27


    Hi There,
    Can anyone tell me what they think may have caused this large crack which is nearly half way down the upstairs bedroom window.
    There is no sign of it outside the window, it goes over to the corner and a hairline crack continues on the side wall which is attached to the house next door. Its a horizontal crack leading to nowhere exactly.
    I am going to try attach a picture.

    Any ideas please, will be greatfully recieved.

    Thanks


Comments

  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 406 ✭✭FesterBeatty


    You need a structural engineer and you will not find the answer on an internet forum.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 27 anneo


    Thanks, but i am just seeing what people might think before I go spending money on a survey. Im not a complete wally. :)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,433 ✭✭✭sinnerboy


    Please send some more pics to put the crack in context.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 27 anneo


    sinnerboy wrote: »
    Please send some more pics to put the crack in context.

    Hi,
    Sorry thats the only pic i took, its a house i viewed that was thinking of buying and would def get survey done but wanted an idea first what others thought.
    If there is any question that might help I can try answer as best i can.

    Replies appricated


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,029 ✭✭✭Rhys Essien


    Looks like a pretty severe crack.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 27 anneo


    A great drawing.....! done by me to explain by picture. :)
    Thanks


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,795 ✭✭✭✭mickdw


    That is a severe crack. Certainly something moving there.

    How old is the house?
    Is this a single or 2 storey house? What floor is the crack on?
    Any alteration made to the roof to provide accomodation or was there a new roof fitted?
    Any major works carried out next door?


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 406 ✭✭FesterBeatty


    If you're only thinking about buying then look somewhere else and forget about it. I'm a structural engineer myself, but would you buy a car off me with a large visible split in the engine block - even if I told you it could be fixed?

    Everything can be resolved, but why bother with this one. Look at a different house.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 27 anneo


    mickdw wrote: »
    That is a severe crack. Certainly something moving there.

    How old is the house? Around 30 yrs old.

    Is this a single or 2 storey house? What floor is the crack on? Two storey house with crack upstairs on first floor.

    Any alteration made to the roof to provide accomodation or was there a new roof fitted? No I am nearly 100% sure no alterations made.

    Any major works carried out next door? I dont think so no.

    Also there looks to have been a wall dividing the room below takin out, but I would think it was done years ago. I know this house has been empty for quite a while and had burst pipes etc and no heating on in all the frosty weather. could this have started the crack ?
    And I know it might seem silly but the front door is extremely hard to close due to the lock being stiff and it has to be banged hard to close could this affect the crack spreading.

    Thanks


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,795 ✭✭✭✭mickdw


    anneo wrote: »
    mickdw wrote: »
    That is a severe crack. Certainly something moving there.

    How old is the house? Around 30 yrs old.

    Is this a single or 2 storey house? What floor is the crack on? Two storey house with crack upstairs on first floor.

    Any alteration made to the roof to provide accomodation or was there a new roof fitted? No I am nearly 100% sure no alterations made.

    Any major works carried out next door? I dont think so no.

    Also there looks to have been a wall dividing the room below takin out, but I would think it was done years ago. I know this house has been empty for quite a while and had burst pipes etc and no heating on in all the frosty weather. could this have started the crack ?
    And I know it might seem silly but the front door is extremely hard to close due to the lock being stiff and it has to be banged hard to close could this affect the crack spreading.

    Thanks

    Depending on what was done downstairs when taking out the dividing wall, it is possible too much loading has been put into the wall at 1st floor level below the area of this crack. It is certainly a structural defect. Im an Engineer and Im going to agree with festerbeatty and say look for something else.
    There really is no argument to be made for buying into a structurally defective property unless the defect is very much reflected in the purchase price. Given that this property is attached to another, a give away price wouldnt convince me to buy as you really can be walking into a nightmare with all sorts of legal issues


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 342 ✭✭martin46585


    anneo wrote: »
    Hi There,
    Can anyone tell me what they think may have caused this large crack which is nearly half way down the upstairs bedroom window.
    There is no sign of it outside the window, it goes over to the corner and a hairline crack continues on the side wall which is attached to the house next door. Its a horizontal crack leading to nowhere exactly.
    I am going to try attach a picture.

    Any ideas please, will be greatfully recieved.

    Thanks

    if you still have access to the property, you could try holding a straight edge in a vertical position, to see if the top five row of blocks are leaning outward, which it looks like it is from the photo, if so the roof, which is probably heavy concrete tiles is pushing downwards and in turn putting outward pressure on the out side walls, this may answer your question on the cause, and the solution wasin the above posts re; fb, mdw, look at something with less baggage.....................


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 27 anneo


    Hey all,
    thanks for all the replies................... no in persuit of a new house with no cracks :)
    Thanks
    Again


  • Subscribers Posts: 42,576 ✭✭✭✭sydthebeat


    looks like a problem caused by a hip roof... too much weight and not enough tying.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,555 ✭✭✭antiskeptic


    Gosh!

    Given how easy it would be to render this fatal flaw invisible with a neat repair n' repaint job.

    A reminder to have eyes in the back of your head come house purchase time.


  • Subscribers Posts: 42,576 ✭✭✭✭sydthebeat


    Gosh!

    Given how easy it would be to render this fatal flaw invisible with a neat repair n' repaint job.

    A reminder to have eyes in the back of your head come house purchase time.

    reminder to get a proper qualifed survey prior to purchase!!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,555 ✭✭✭antiskeptic


    sydthebeat wrote: »
    reminder to get a proper qualifed survey prior to purchase!!

    Do you suppose even such a one would spot this - if concealed well?


  • Subscribers Posts: 42,576 ✭✭✭✭sydthebeat


    maybe, maybe not..... but they are being paid to.

    but it may lead to a fall back position if the worst happens.


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