How Are Cracks Interpreted By Different Surveyors?

Having just attended a course on crack interpretation organised by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, it is quite amazing how differently surveyors deal with cracking.  I believe that wherever possible, the surveyor should attempt to diagnose cracking and movement as best they can. 

Crack Interpretation

However, it appears that some surveyors simply advise the purchaser to commission a structural engineer to review and report on the cracking. Whilst I may recommend seeking a structural engineer’s opinion in exceptional circumstances, I would in nearly all cases assess the cracking and try and quantify the movement and determine if it is on-going or significant.  Surely this is one of the main reasons we are commissioned to provide a pre-purchase survey.

The main issue we have as surveyors in Slough is that the survey is a snapshot in time. It can therefore at times be very challenging to ascertain the direction of the movement and whether it is on-going and potentially serious. However, a balanced hypothesis can be put forward on the basis of the following considerations:-

·       Direction of the cracking
·       Width of the cracking and whether this varies
·       Is the cracking new or old and present both sides of the wall?
·       Is there any lateral movement within the wall, such as bulging or leaning?
·       Nature of the sub-soil
·       Component considerations
·       Other local factors, such as drains, water courses, trees and topography

In consideration of the above factors, often a balanced view can be put forward to enable the purchaser to assess the level of risk. There are however a few cases where only further monitoring of the cracking or invasive investigation is required to establish the direction and degree of movement. This is may also be the conclusion of a structural engineer.

Surveyors in Slough have noticed that many old buildings have multiple cracks and this has to be seen in an understanding way. The building may well have stood for many years without experiencing any significant problems. Are the cracks new and progressive? Has anything changed locally to cause the cracking, such as tree growth or leaking rainwater goods? Has the building been adversely altered or extended in any way? 

As you can see there is a systematic process to be undertaken in order to reach a diagnosis and quantify the risk. This should be presented in practical terms to a potential purchaser.

Expert Surveyors In Slough & Windsor

Spencer Lion is one of the leading building surveyors in Slough and Windsor, to find out more please call us on 01753 850304 or email info@surveyorsslough.co.uk