Large crack on wall...Builder suggested a fix. Is it a proper job?
Anonymous user 15/03/2024 - 2.45 PM
Hi,
I have a breeze block out building that has a very substantial crack along the back wall. Big enough at points that you can actually see light through on the other side.
My builder had suggested that because it was just a shed of sorts, that he could just 'brace' the wall with metal brackets horizontally to the crack to support the wall and simply plaster over the crack.
All I want is for the building to be safe. Is this something that builders might do? Will the back wall last with this method.
I also must point out that the crack along the wall has been this way for a large number of year. Maybe around 15 years and I have never noticed any worsening.
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Are you a tradesperson and able to answer this question?
Hi mayrp 2001,
If you say the crack doesn't appear to have worsened over the years then the braces the builder suggested would serve their purpose. It's not the prettiest but it should stop any more movement of the crack. And like you say as long as its safe is the most important thing. By the sounds of it there is some subsidence of the building, if you where to go the hole hog you would be underpinning the foundation possibly then replacing the blocks that have split. But in this case and as its an out building I think the bracing would be good. Hope this helps.
I get involved in repair work on listed buildings and old stone churches. Generally to identify if a crack or movement has ceased or still on going. Firstly we resin fix a couple of small rectangle pieces of glass across the crack in several locations, to monitor could be up to three months if glass breaks movement still on going. Glass intact usually indicates historical movement. Can be various reasons , failed drainage pipes or leaking into surrounding ground. Water discharge from roof down pipe into failed soakaways. Removal of very large trees in close proximity to building can have great effect depending on soil type. Have surveyed house before to find out that the movement was historical due to a second world war bomb dropped close to location. As mentioned it has been there for 15 years not appearing to have widened indicates historical movement. We would generally stitch this type of crack with staples size and lengths made to suit requirements. Stainless steel preferred choice for staples . with careful cutting, casing and anchoring of staples possible to make finished work hard to detect visually. Standard practice for us would be to make mortar board up of several sands and ratios of mixes to achieve colour matches. Hope this information of use to you.
Yes bracing and covering/filling the joint will be sufficiant as you have mentioned that it hasn’t worsened over 15 years. Although this isn’t going to look asthetically pleasing it will indeed prevent any more such movement.
Thanks AJR
Answered14 January 2019
0
Anonymous user
Yes aslong as braced adequately over the cracks should be no problem given you say it hasn't worsened over the years, it suggests that it Is indeed structurally sound although may seem otherwise. Brace up, scratch coat and float coat finish look good as new.
