Cracks in Brick Veneer Foundations

jhl2456 on 05/01/2021 - 09:45

Hi all,

I have recently purchased a house (built in the 60s) and completed a building inspection at the time of purchase.
At the time of the inspection, some cracks in the brick veneer foundations were observed, and it was deemed by the inspector that the cracks/mortar deterioration "Appear to not have affected the structural integrity of the brick walls/piers and this is relatively normal for homes of this age".

I have since moved in to the house, and it has started to bother me every time I see these cracks. Should I be concerned?

https://ibb.co/ysLSCKb
https://ibb.co/2Z5wHXj

Home & Garden

Comments

  • ShannonN on 05/01/2021 - 10:08
    +6

    After paying an inspector who said "Appears to not have affected the structural integrity of the brick walls/piers and this is relatively normal for homes of this age". and going ahead with the purchase knowing these cracks were there what's the real problem?

    A cosmetic annoyance? Or are you thinking the house is about to collapse?

    You paid for a professional opinion they said all is ok structurally, only way to get rid of the unsightly cracks is to fill them or whatever you do in these situations or sell up move out and buy something without faults?

    • jhl2456 on 05/01/2021 - 11:25

      It originally started as a cosmetic annoyance, but I was reading a post about stepped cracks on a brick wall the other day and started having concerns about any possible structural issues associated with this. I just wanted some opinions on how concerning this might be for others.

      • stirlo on 05/01/2021 - 12:28

        You already paid for a building inspector to give you their professional (not random ozb member) opinion. This is all that really matters. Just go buy some gap filler and fill them in if you don't like the look

  • battler on 05/01/2021 - 10:18

    normal. the ground settles over the years, few millimetres, and cracks will appear. Patch them up.

    • jhl2456 on 05/01/2021 - 11:27

      The crack on the first photo was previously patched up by the previous owner(s) but the mortar seems to have deteriorated and fallen off. Will try to patch the cracks soon.

  • AustriaBargain on 05/01/2021 - 10:24

    Patch them to help keep spiders out. Clad them with something if you don't like the look of them. I don't like the look of of those bricks even without the cracks, I'd clad them with slate cut to fit or something. Or some kind of pale wood slats.

    • jhl2456 on 05/01/2021 - 11:28

      Yes, agreed. Will render eventually.

      • apsilon on 05/01/2021 - 12:30
        +4

        Render will most likely crack as the house will continue to move so I wouldn't bother. Patch with a flexible material rather than something solid like mortar. Selleys make a no more gaps mortar product for this and I imagine Sika and others do the same. If the appearance bothers you, you could paint it to match or contrast the walls and/or place plants along it to act as a screen.

  • ihbh on 05/01/2021 - 10:38
    +2

    structural integrity

    Timber frame between the brick veneer and gyprock provides it.

    • Muzeeb on 05/01/2021 - 11:01
      +1

      gyprock provides it

      Really?

      • ihbh on 05/01/2021 - 11:12
        +2

        Okay, left out two commas.

        Timber frame, between the brick veneer and gyprock, provides it.

        Reminds me of the panda that: Eats, Shoots & Leaves

      • JimB on 05/01/2021 - 11:13

        'between the brick veneer and gyprock'

      • elgrande on 05/01/2021 - 11:47
        +2

        Yep.. my house was built on gyprock foundations. I patch it up every few days.

  • Bob Svargis on 05/01/2021 - 11:34

    Get it tuckpointed if it bothers you.

    • jellykingdom on 05/01/2021 - 12:07
      +1

      Hey tuckpoint you buddy!

      • Bob Svargis on 05/01/2021 - 12:17

        :-)

        The professionals who do that job are real tuckers, don't you think?

  • Stewardo on 05/01/2021 - 12:52
    +3

    Water is what’s damaged both of these walls.
    The first photo damp has caused mineral ingression into mortar and it has weakened over 50years, only cosmetic at this stage but should be repaired.
    The second photo the damage Is caused by the water pooling under the pier, this softened the earth and the weight of the house has cracked the pier as the foundation became uneven in the soft earth. This was probably worsened by the addition of the concrete footpath which would trap water that is coming down the hill.
    This pier should be replaced eventually as it with time will cause more issues to the structure above as it sinks. Storm water needs to be addressed to keep it away from the house.

  • Drakesy on 05/01/2021 - 14:16

    Cracks as a result of ground settling are not ideal.

    Unfortunately this is a case of how long is a piece of string.
    The foundations at the moment look to have failed in the second image, with the house likely to over time continue to subside in that area. Whether the house will start to crack is another question. At the moment it looks fine, but as soon as that corner starts to take the load and the house itself cracks then you could have a very expensive repair on your hands.
    I'd get it sorted asap.

    First image looks alright, nothing too concerning as the load looks to be taken up by the surrounding foundation.

  • djones145 on 05/01/2021 - 16:07
    -2

    im not a professional
    but from looking at it, u have about 5 seconds from this post before the whole house is going to collapse
    game over man game over

    remember I'm not a professional

  • lainey13 on 09/01/2021 - 23:35

    I have paid for building inspection before and building inspector told me the cracks on external walls (of the property) were indicative of future problems where the whole wall was sinking and would need propping up at some stage. It would be very very expensive to fix later on and I factored that into the price I was prepared to pay for the property. If your inspector was competent they would have said if the cracks were an indication of something more serious.

  • SnoozeAndLose on 09/01/2021 - 23:47
    -1

    Ask this company for a quote: https://www.buildfix.com.au/?gclid=CjwKCAiAxeX_BRASEiwAc1Qdk…

  • Logical on 10/01/2021 - 18:13
    -1

    There is a valid case against the inspector if that is what they wrote in their report. If you were in Brisbane I could… But you are in Sydney.

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