Hi
We live in a house which has mixed construction; a 1905 brick built standard square (ish) house, which was then extended in about 1998 at the back to create a sort of L-shape. The extension houses a downstairs room (and boiler / utility room), master bedroom (and ensuite) on the first floor and then a loft bedroom on the second floor.
Over the last couple of months, we've noticed some cracks growing ever wider (now approx 3mm) at the join between the ceiling of the master bedroom and the walls (all interior). I don't know whether this is paranoia or not, but these are now starting to be mirrored on the room below too. The cracks run more or less from where the old part of the house finishes to about 1-1.5m from the end wall.
I've ordered "Has your house got cracks" (!) from the library to have a good read, but I thought I'd come here for some sound advice in the meanwhile.
My thoughts are that it is possibly the roof of the extension trying to spread out sideways which is causing pressure on the left and right walls. We are built upon a sandstone base, so I'm not imagining that subsidence is likely, though I suppose the summer drying out might have reduced the moisture below the footings.
Anyway, I am going to seek some professional advice, but in the meanwhile I have a couple of questions:- Does the roof spreading seem a likely scenario? What type of professional should I engage? Building surveyor, structural surveyor, structural engineer? Is there any likelihood of insurance cover on this sort of movement (should it come to an expensive repair job)?
We had some problems with the shower leaking in the ensuite (involving rotting joists and a sizeable wet patch in the brickwork between new and old parts of the house) which I've repaired (some would say botched) by spanning the rotten timber with joists and bolting onto the existing timbers. The alternative was to rip out the floors, a stud wall, a toilet and a basin and replace the whole joist; not considered a viable (financial) option (though reading on you may disagree!). Anyway, repair job done and shower now properly sealed and repaired, but I suppose that this may also have changed the moisture levels within the house!!
Any pointers gratefully received!!
Matt Frodsham (UK)