Archived Topic
Topic ID 4139
04/02/2009 by Tommy
Subsidence? Something less serious?
Has anyone had a problem with possible subsidence in Hertford recently?
We live on a hill in a 1930's house with a new extension. In the last few weeks the wooden flooring has sunk about 0.5cm and moved inwards (central heating has been on full blast and washing drying inside). Additionally, where the old and "new" buildings join there is a fine vertical crack on the exterior of the property in the render. This is from the ground to where the roof joins. In the last few days, literally, fine cracks have appeared in the render on the exterior of the original property, coming from the windows and top of porch in the main.
I am aware that "render" will crack (particularly where it is relatively new), all houses move slightly, and that we have had atrocious weather over the past year or so.
Any ideas? Can anyone recommend a builder/"renderer" to look at it without costing the earth?
Many thanks in anticipation,
Tommy.
0 replies
Archived Replies
Reply ID 60160
04/02/2009 by harebell
Where old and new join I assume is a vertical crack from bottom to top - this is differential movement between the two constructions. Nothing to worry about - when you have some one look best bet is to cut back render about 12 inches either side of crack - re render section and build in an expansion joint . The two building will always move and different rates.
Cracks around windows etc sound likes like the cold weather has caused the render and brickwork behind to move at different rates so causing the cracks - again not major worry but you should have cracks repaired to prevent water ingress. Ideally you should repair with an expandable filler so allowing cracjs to move in future then paint over.
Wooden floors - wood - expands and contracts - thats life its natural material. 50mm is not a worry.
Hairline cracks are not big worry - start to worry if cracks get to over 2.5cm even then you may only monitor. There has been alot of money spent over years by people trying to repair cracks, when really at worst they need filling to prevent water ingress
Reply ID 60163
04/02/2009 by Deveraux
Sadly, I can see it now; The Headline in Friday's Mercury will read ...
"Crack is not a big worry" says Hertford Forum contributor [}:)]
Reply ID 60167
04/02/2009 by dennismoore
A new house was built against our old house and we had some quite big cracks opening up on that side. After a few months the new house 'settled' and the cracks stopped growing. We just filled them in with a bit of plaster.
Reply ID 60186
05/02/2009 by dayday
Harebell, a 2.5cm crack is indeed something to worry about, I would get a structural engineer in quick. As for wooden floors I think you mean 5mm not 50mm.
Tommy is it the floors in both or either the origenal and new extention that are showing this. Are you saying that this gap of 0.5cm is between the skirting and the floorboards ? Is the gap all way round the room or just in one area. How long has the extention been up.
Reply ID 60207
05/02/2009 by Tommy
Thank you for the responses to date. Much appreciated.
The extenion has been up approx 4-5 years (it was built before we moved in.) The correct certificates appear to have been obtained.
The wooden flooring - which presumably was put down in the living room and through into the new extension at the same time - has not "sunk" uniformly from the skirting board. In some places it seems fine and in others there is a (newish)gap of approx 5mm. (Even at its best it was not a snug fit all way round.) We were worried about this but, in part, put it down to the natural properties of wood.
However, when put with the (fine) crack between the new and old
buildings, and the new appearance of (relatively) fine cracks going
horizontally from the windows in the original building, we became more concerned.
I should also say that a (once again)"fine" crack appeared in the base of our garage a few months ago. On the advice of a friend we contacted the water/drainage provider, who assured us that there were no problems with the drains.
In isolation, I don't think that we would have worried too much about these events, but happening together in such a relatively short period of time has increased our anxiety. We are, I'm afraid, inexperienced homeowners, so it's difficult to know if we're simply over-reacting to problems experienced by most people, or genuinely have serious cause for concern. I can understand how the dreadful weather of recent months might be responsible to a certain extent - even making the ground move a small amount - but does anyone know of a way in which either a free or reasonably priced opinion might be obtained (I'm afraid I've just been made redundant, so we're protecting the pennies even more than usual)
Best regards,
Tommy
Reply ID 60244
05/02/2009 by PAT-H
Hi Tommy
From what you've described I wouldn't worry.... Yet.
Take pictures with a ruler or some visual reference for size and notes of what you've found and then see how it changes over the next year or so.
None of what you've described sounds dangerous.
See what time reveals and then deal with an issue if one exists.
Reply ID 60249
05/02/2009 by Leo Densian
If repairs are needed for f***s sake don't get that lot in that were 'making good' the old house in Railway St. [;)]
Reply ID 60252
05/02/2009 by James007
quote:
Originally posted by PAT-H
Hi Tommy
From what you've described I wouldn't worry.... Yet.
Take pictures with a ruler or some visual reference for size and notes of what you've found and then see how it changes over the next year or so.
None of what you've described sounds dangerous.
See what time reveals and then deal with an issue if one exists.
[:0]
Reply ID 60257
05/02/2009 by Mr P
quote:
Originally posted by Leo Densian
If repairs are needed for f***s sake don't get that lot in that were 'making good' the old house in Railway St. [;)]
Eh? Do tell![:D]
9 replies