Our house has started to develop some cracks internally (nothing visable externally). Some minor looking, which we had just thought cosmetic.
We are now finding 'new' cracks almost daily and some - specifically in corners or by door frames are looking a little more than cosmetic.
I have been quoted anywhere between £500 - £1200 for a structural survey. A friend recommended telling my insurers immediately as 'they will often arrange a survey FOC, to help protect themselves'
I guess my question is, should I 'go private' and only tell insurers if/when there is something i need to tell them, or just crack on and tell them my concerns. Will this be a red flag to them (regardless of outcome) when it comes to renewal?
Thanks all.
Awaiting
@DaveMehmet and his comment about having a house full of cracks
Comments
Don't do it privately unless you have a lot of money lying round waiting to be spunked on some very strong men to work rods underneath your dwelling
I had meant from a survey point of view.
Any necessary works I would look to get covered by insurers, i was just wondering whether I should inform them now and get them to carry out the survey
Got a builder mate to look, he was convinced subsidence and told me to ring insurance company without formal survey, which I did.
They sent their own assessor who reported that his opinion was that we needed underpinning. Insurers appointed a builder who carried out the work and we were able to claim new double glazing and a redecoration of two rooms.
very professionally done all round.
Are the cracks generally at an angle, or vertical/horizontal?
Cracks generally seem to be in the joins of wall / wall in corners, and wall/ceiling, along bases of cornices. Some that worry me do run up through doorframes and seemingly continue up wall.
Where abouts in the country do you live, first parts of the postcode will be helpful.
It's unusual for cracks to 'start' to develop this time of year, cracks generally will be due to movement of different parts of the building which 99% of the time will be down to clay shrinkage and more summer months, but there are other causes such as heave (the opposite, clay expanding).
Any other issues, any drainage problems? Any recent tree removals nearby? All at one end off the house or throughout?
It's very rare these days for a property to be underpinned, which was the norm 25 years ago. Generally now it's about establishing the cause and dealing with that.
If this is all totally new it could well be heave caused by too much water in the clay, this would generally be due to leaking drains or large tree/s being removed (that previously sucked up a lot of water).
Pictures would be helpful......
We are in TN14. No drainage issues that we are aware of, and the only change in shrubbery is a small/medium fir tree of the neighbours dying. Nothing significant enough (I'd have thought) for heave.
Will forward some pics tomorrow, if you wouldn't mind, as they are on other phone.
Send me the pics and details of the house layout and where the damage is.
It's just very unusual this time of year. How close was the fir tree and approximately how tall? Assume it's been removed?
If you have any potential leaks, or trees near the property and damage then call your insurance and they will look into it.
I would advise ask a local builder/ friend first as you don't really want to initiate a subsidence claim if at present it only appears general cracking.
Sink
Its preference really, if you call up the insurance company they might over the phone suggest its general cracking in which case you are no further forward and they won't send someone out.
https://collier-stevens.co.uk/advice-hub/subsidence/help-my-house-is-subsiding/
In any case I will be toshing over the fine cracks with surface filler as I redecorate, ensuring I've got plenty of paint left over to touch in again if they need refilling before I put it on the market.
Like @johnnybev1987 says above, I am a little apprehensive about informing insurers before I know it is, or is likely subsidence.
Will get some pics of my crack (
I could probably go on with examples, eg. lintel failure which again would not be covered. However if there is any potential insured peril : Subsidence, leak, Accidental damage, but the general rule is general cracking won't be covered.
The biggest issue with reporting it to your insurer, is likely whether there is a claim or not it will flag up a potential subsidence issue, which down the line might create a problem when re-insuring. In most cases they will just note it, however once subsidence is attached to a house its going to be a hard thing to get insured/ sell the property (although in the event of a sell they can transfer it across, but we are getting away from the subject)
Defo see what Rob7 says, or feel free to DM anything specific.
I would also say, it's not going to be worth appointing a surveyor. That alone will cost a bit rather than get your average builder to just look and confirm likely cause, if its subsidence they will send someone out even just to confirm the damage. If its less than the excess for the repairs then there is no claim anyway, so ideally do contact your insurer, however my first call would be to send photos to someone or get a friend/ local builder out for their comments.