Crack in the wall that joins one part of the house to the other. Who do i call?

[Anonynonny]

Looks like one part of the house has slightly moved away from the other part. Would my buildings insurance pay for this? I presume they'd ask for a surveyor's report, who would I call, chartered surveyor, building surveyor, any other type of surveyor?

[Hassled]

The insurers will have preferred surveyors - call the insurers first and they'll arrange for someone to come and have a look.

[Anonynonny]

Thank you Hassled.

[Bunbaker]

Yes. Definitely call your buildings insurance company.

[Ithinkwerealonenow]

Ghostbusters

[Anonynonny]

[PigletJohn]

is "the other part" a back addition with kitchen, or what?

[Anonynonny]

Yes, I'm not sure if it was added later or is part of the original house. I think it's part of the original as all the bricks are the same colour but I cd be wrong

[PigletJohn]

if it is a "back addition" in a 1900's ish house, it probably has shallower foundations than the rest of the house (very shallow, by modern standards) so will be settling differently, and moving around differently (esp if you are on clay) up and down with wet and dry seasons.

Your insurers are pretty sure to say it is just seasonal movement and doesn't need any of their money spent on it, but might take some measurements.

If they don't do it, drill a couple of round-headed stainless screws into the two adjoining walls, with a plastic or stainless ruler screwed to the wall by one of them, and touching or riding on the other screw head. Take photos from time to time and observe if the movement is getting greater, or if it is just moving back and forth.

Date and retain for photos for future arguments.

[Anonynonny]

Thank you, that's helpful

It's 1880 the house. (ish)

[Anonynonny]

We're on fairly chalky land here apparantly

[ogredownstairs]

was just coming on to say seasonal movement v. common with Victorian houses and nothing to worry about but Pigletjohn has given a much better explanation than I could!