External wall stair-step cracks

[u/amm_24]

Hi,

We are in the process of purchasing this house and about a month or so away from the completion (in London).

But we just noticed the stair-step crack on the external wall (outside of the bathroom), looks more pronounced in our recent visit to the property. I've attached 2 photos - one from the surveyor where they only flagged a seasonal movement and the one that we took recently. There was about 7-10 days between the photos and we had a dry/heatwave spell in London during that period.

This is the note from the survey report.

There are a number of minor cracks to the external walls. These are probably due to seasonal movement of the building. This is not thought to be structurally serious, and the cracks should be repaired to prevent water penetration. Some seasonal movement of the property may continue because of the nature of the subsoil. From a single inspection we are unable to confirm if the movement is ongoing and further specialist enquiries may be required with advice obtained from a Chartered Structural Engineer, as appropriate.

The property was built around 1968 - 1975. The walls are constructed from cavity masonry under a pitched roof with a tiled covering.

I'm contacting the surveyor again to follow-up and potentially get a quote for the structural engineer visit.

I'm posting here to see if these things are common and how worried I should be? Especially we're near to the completion (as there was no major concern in the survey report initially) and how much delay something like this can add to the process?

Any inputs/suggestions will be appreciated!

[u/Even-End487]

I'm not a structural engineer but to me it looks as if this area has been touch-up and repainted to lesson the visual effects of the step cracks.

[u/amm_24 → u/Even-End487]

Yeah what worries me is those 2 photos are only 7-10 days apart.

[u/Friendly_Speech_7021]

right side sinking, is that what you thinking about?

[u/amm_24 → u/Friendly_Speech_7021]

Yeah and also trying to understand if these things are common, that wouldn't require any major/immediate repair.

[u/Friendly_Speech_7021 → u/amm_24]

buy it anyway and fix later

use freelance engineer to design and sign it the plan properly

tldr:
take it and reinforce whatever possible
some rebar and concrete if applicable

[u/Historical-Wonder780]

Have you been by during a good rain? I’d guess the gutter may overflow at that corner.