Assessing cracks in houses Everyone is familiar with cracks in the brick or concrete block walls of houses. The presence of some narrow cracks is usually tolerated and even expected if the house is old, but it is not always obvious what level of cracking is acceptable and when building repairs are necessary.

Examines the causes of cracking in buildings and shows, with descriptions and illustrations, the visible results of a wide range of problems. The Digest is a key to. My house is falling down Supporting information. BRE Good Repair Guide 2 Why do buildings crack? BRE Digest 361 BRE Building Elements.

Rupert Pool explains how such cracks can be assessed. Cracks in brick or concrete block walls can be caused by a number of factors. One of the most unnerving for the occupants is subsidence or foundation movement. Changes in the ground conditions under and around a house can cause it to move slightly, which can lead to cracks to developing in the walls. Question Mark Butterfly. Historically, claims on household insurance policies for repairs to buildings after subsidence have increased after periods of very dry weather.