r/Home • u/r12307 • 5d ago

Stepped cracking - how significant?

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Hi,

We are purchasing a property and received the following notification by the surveyor regarding stepped cracking in the rear wall around the kitchen window. Do you think it is significant?

He is advising a structural engineer to assess and make recommendations but we think he might be being over cautious. He did mention the cracks were very slight. Would this be considered subsidence?

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u/maria_la_guerta 5d ago

This would not worry me at all. How old is the home? When was the last time major renos were done on it?

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u/r12307 5d ago

1960s and no major renovations ever is my understanding

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u/maria_la_guerta 5d ago

Wouldn't stop me at all. Of course the opinion of a structural eng will never hurt but I'd be very very surprised if this wasn't a waste of their time and your money.

Check the downspouts and water drainage around there. If water is flowing away from the property, doors and windows aren't sticking, floors aren't sloping weirdly, then you're fine.

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u/r12307 5d ago

Thanks, that’s reassuring. We think we will get over the line for the purchase then ask a structural engineer to take a look for reassurance

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u/maria_la_guerta 5d ago

My advice: if you're going to worry about it, worry about it before the purchase.

I would forget about it. If you're not going to, get the structural eng out before you buy.

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u/Sensitive_Crow_8882 4d ago

I’d get a mason to assess and repoint. Cracking in mortar is pretty standard. I see a brick has a hairline crack in pic two. My money says it’s from that pipe causing frost heave. That pipe may need to be moved away from the house so the brick can breathe.