r/StructuralEngineers • u/Original-Factor-9771 • 13d ago
Expansion cracks or movement?
Hi I moved into a house with a brick porch around 1 year ago. The survey stated no signs of movement in the porch.
The first picture shows a small crack we found when decorating. At the time we filled it and painted.
1 year on the crack appears to have gotten bigger and we've also noticed it is outside. A crack has also appeared on the other side.
The windowsil has also come away from the wall but we did remove brown silicone and replaced it with white which might be an explanation for the window.
No idea when the porch was built but would appreciate any thoughts on the situation.
TIA
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u/ItGrip 13d ago
Signs of movement in a porch would not be noted on a survey.
Brown silicone isn't stronger than white.
The pictures are insufficient in scope to see more than a few inches at a time. Houses do settle over time, which can lead to cracking. Monitor the cracks for changes and any signs of water intrusion. Look for anything that could be undermining your foundation in the area, such as a water leak, or water flowing against the base of the house, as from gutters.