Codswallop wrote:
"Rigger" wrote:
I live in a bungalow which was built in 1970 (36 years old) and
recently i have noticed cracks at the ceiling where it joins the wall.
Also across the ceiling itself and although the wall also has some
cracks there is no sign of cracks on any brick/supporting walls. ITS
ALL PLASTER OR PLASTERBOARD. I accept there has been a change in
temprature....is this to blame? or do i need to pay out for a
structural engineer to carry out a report. The cracks are getting
bigger on a daily basis but in most cases they are hairline cracks but
the ceiling wall ones are the diametre of say 'spaghetti'. PLEASE
ADVISE IT WILL BE GRAETLY APPRECIATED!

Do you live in an area prone to subsidence or heave, such as old mine
workings, or do you have large trees very near to your property whose roots
could be damaging the foundations? You can check your postcode he
http://www.homecheck.co.uk/. You can find a structural engineer via
http://www.localsurveyorsdirect.co.uk/subsidence_structural_engineer.aspx
although your insurance company should arrange this and advise. Cracks
getting bigger on a daily basis sounds serious. Movement of internal walls
separate from external walls can, I understand, be caused by wall tie
failure.

THANKS, I called the Building Society who (as you mentioned) and they
have instructed a surveyor to come out and check on the possible
problem. I did notice in the loft that a horizontal beam which runs
along the length of the roof structure, having a gap (2 inch) where it
is not supporting on the other beam. So in effect it should be joined
to form a continuous beam, but the overlapping join is not connected.
Hope this makes sense. Again, i appreciate your advice and responce.