Big Crack Discovered In Internal Wall.

[stoofur]

Hello everyone. I have been doing some decorating in our lounge and noticed a crack in the linking paper. So I tore off the paper where the crack was and behind it there is a diagonal crack about 5 mm wide. It seems to go through a pillar in the corner of the room. The crack seems to be quite deep (i put a cutlery knife into the crack and it went all the way in). In the bedroom on the same wall there is also a smaller crack. I am worried it may be subsidence. What should I do? Should I notify my insurance company and then possibly open a can or worms? Or should I employ an engineer to take a look first? We do have other small cracks in the house but have been told by a builder friend that they are normal and nothing to worry about.

Thanks for your advice everyone.

[Old_Geezer]

You should get a surveyor to come around and put your mind at ease (or otherwise). There are various reasons you might get cracked walls and they know what to look for to identify why yours are there.

[RATTER15]

I think the age of the house will be quite relevant here.

It does sound a little worrying!

[Tilly2]

Do you live in an area that's prone to subsidence?

[stoofur]

The house is about 50 years old. I don't think the area is prone to subsidence. I am a bit worried about opening a can of worms if I ask for a surveyor to look but also worried if I just fill the crack and ignore it.

[Old_Geezer]

Never a good idea to ignore something. It will continue to worry you. If it is nothing that's worry for nothing, if it is something it'll only get worse.

I had cracks (not as large as your admittedly) and got a surveyor to check it. Turns out it could be expected due to differing materials used and the different expansion/contraction with heat. I'm not saying yours is the same but it could be anything. Get it checked, and don't drop your house insurance anytime soon.

[Quoi]

how long have you lived there?
If there was only a crack in the lining paper then the crack hasnt changed a lot since the lining paper was it was put up otherwise the lining paper would have the same 5mm gap size as the crack.
You may as well bite the bullet and get a surveyor in to be safe. You have to think about other occupants/visitors and neighbours being safe too.

[Old_Geezer]

I mean that my house extension had cracks, before the wisecracks arrive ;-)

[SheriKeat]

do you have an American quarter? or can you get one?
Here we are told ignore unless a quarter fits in easily.
In US houses "settle" and get cracks
I would worry more if it was outside I think,
as opposed to an interior wall
Don't know if it' s the same by you

[dannyk13]

Old Geezer's advice is sound, particularly if it is a bearing wall.

[Old_Geezer]

Do you see the cracks running down into the foundations ? Do they spread out from doorway corners ? These were some of the things my surveyor looked for and didn't find. Get it professionally checked anyway.

[stoofur]

Thanks everyone. I think I will look for a surveyor. Any idea how much it will cost? Do you think I should get the surveyor involved before I speak to my insurance company?

[dannyk13]

Probably cheaper to inform your Insurance company who will arrange for a surveyor.

[The Builder]

I agree it would be a good idea to talk to your Insurers first. They may deal with a Surveyor direct, or, more likely, authorise you to instruct one of your choosing.

Not enough information to give any opinion on the crack from here, though 5mm may well be significant. It depends entirely on exactly where in the building it is.

If not subsidence, then extensions and "knock-throughs" are favourite as to the cause.