CRACK REPORT
Our reports distinguish between structural and superficial cracks. They evaluate whether cracks in one part of a building indicate faults elsewhere. Cracks in walls may be linked to structural issues such as subsidence, or the expansion and contraction of a building, that’s why our engineers make site visits before they produce crack reports.
After we carry out a thorough inspection of cracks in internal and external walls, a crack report produced by Laytoe’s structural engineers will advise on the safest and most cost-effective methods for ensuring the safety and stability of your property.
- Crack reports for insurance
- Advice on distortions and cracks
- Load bearing recommendations
- Assessment of previous alterations
- Long-term crack monitoring
- Mortgage survey issues
A Laytoe crack report provides peace of mind and recommendations you can act on.
Can you advise me on cracks in my property if I send you photos?
Photos will give our engineers a very general image of cracks, but we can’t measure the size or impact of a crack from a picture. A crack might be unsightly, but not structural; we can’t tell this from a photo. More importantly, the cracks that you have noticed might not be the ones that you should be concerned about. During a site visit we could notice apparently inconspicuous cracks that are related to an underlying structural issue.
What does a site visit involve?
Before a visit is agreed, we request as much information about the building as possible. This is to factor in how a change of use or layout, or alterations and renovations affect the rest of the property – possibly leading to cracking. During the visit we will inspect, measure and document the cracks that you have specified in your instructions to us. We often notice other structural issues such as signs of warping, movement or sagging that our clients have not instructed us to report on; however, if we feel that this could present structural problems, we will draw it to your attention.
What does a Laytoe crack report contain?
Our crack reports begin with an outline of the property’s history and location. This is because the age and composition of a building, as well as the soil type around the foundations and any water sources in proximity will affect structural behaviour. We then reiterate your instructions and the scope of our report in relation to these instructions. We provide written and photographic descriptions of all the relevant parts of your property we were given access to. Our conclusion and advice relating to all areas mentioned in the report with recommendations for further crack monitoring or remedial work. Even though we interpret your instructions to the letter, we will comment on additional observations that have not been instructed for if we believe these are areas that warrant inspection.