I bought my house in Feb last year and there were no obvious cracks about the house. I have recently noticed that there are significant cracks that run along where the walls meet the ceilings and around some of the windows; the house is five years old. It is a link detached house and my neighbours do not have the same problem. We are due to start renting the house in Aug this year as we are moving away for awhile. There is nothing of note on the exterior of the house, only the interior (although it is predominantly on the outer walls). The rooms that are the worst are mainly unused so we do heat them less and then put the heating on full when we have guests, could this be a factor? Am I being hasty in wanting a surveyor to come and see the property?
I’m going to sound like a simpleton here but…my house it UK built and I believe that UK and US houses are build differently (ie UK houses are predominantly brickwork and US houses mainly wood.) do these answers still apply?? Also the cracks are largely hairline but a few are worse where little bits of plaster have come away. Only one is significant which is on the top floor (I have a two and a half stroey with storage in the loft cavity) and it probably wouldn’t qualify as significant to a professional. Thanks.
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February 8th, 2010 at 7:22 am
no, you don’t need a survey. the best way to prevent cracking is to keep a stable temperature. heating and cooling fluctuations cause expansion and contraction resulting in cracks
February 8th, 2010 at 7:22 am
Your house may have been drywall during a very cold spell in winter! Check the attic to be sure insulation is installed far enough out towards outer walls? Rooms with less heat are the worst? This sounds peculiar, it should`nt make any difference, unless the attic is very poorly insulated!
February 8th, 2010 at 7:22 am
It may also be a coincidence and there is no drywall tape on those particular joints. As mentioned earlier, temperature change can cause this to be more severe than everywhere else.
February 8th, 2010 at 7:22 am
Your experiencing "truss uplift". It is the result of a combination of heat, humidity and possibly construction nailing issues. Basically your attic is expanding and contracting. When the lumber expands and contracts it pulls the sheetrock which causes the cracks. My single largest concern would be your use of the word "significant"…..as in how big are the cracks? Anything over 1/4 inch and you have structural issues other than truss uplift.