Structural advice 1

[Rick Bean]

Electrical engineering is my background and need some help with regards to these structural cracks on a house im looking to purchase. I'm not sure if it's cause by corrosion from balustrade, there's no water pipe leaking in behind. Any help is welcome guys and greatly appreciated about cause, remedy and cost.
Best regards
Rick

 

[jayrod12]

I would say it's potentially a corrosion of the guardrail issue and quite possible just from the lateral loading that the guardrail sees. How often are people leaning against something like that just torquing on the masonry in a way that it isn't designed for.

 

[Rick Bean]

Thank you jayrod so it doesn't appear to be anything more sinister?
I've uploaded a pic of the house and as you can see it's only at the handrail and doesn't travel up the house however I was worried about potential subsidence. Am I really over thinking this one?

 

[jayrod12]

It is something I would address sooner rather than later, but from the information I'm seeing in the couple of pictures it doesn't look overly sinister. Since the cracks don't extend much beyond the handrail in any direction I'd say that is likely the culprit. It almost looks like that brick was added after the handrail install in order to hide the connection of the handrail to the main brick.

However I'm just a single guy, may want to wait to get some other opinions from some of the rockstars here.

In the end, the best advice would be to get a local structural guy to put his own eyes on it in person. I do understand that when it comes to pre-purchase information, there's never the money to be paying an engineer to come look at each small issue.

The trick, befriend a local structural engineer. Get on a good basis with him. Then start texting him pictures of issues and pick his brain. That's what all of my friends do.

 

[1503-44]

Looks like a bad fitup and sun hot black iron in the joint plane didnt help. Grind the rails off and replace some bricks.

 

[rb1957]

one thing to think about ... when you come to sell the place, this'll be the first thing people see.

This doesn't look structural to me either (but what do I know ?) but the cracks and spalled bricks are a concern.


another day in paradise, or is paradise one day closer ?

 

[Enable]

Where are yall buying homes that you have the luxury of having an issue with something like this? In Toronto if the house is darn near condemnable it'll still go over list!

Anyways, I think jayrod is spot on. Probably an afterthought and someone applied force to the handrail while the mortar was fresh(ish) + corrosion over time acted as stress risers at solid brick locations. Not a systemic issue. Easy to fix. No problem.

 

[cvg]

the awning over the door could be potentially directing water to this area, possibly making the cracking and deterioration of the bricks worse

 

[Rick Bean]

Thank you for your responses guys. I feel more confident in making an offer on the house. Assuming it's just a matter of grinding out the rail and replacing the brick, how much do you think it would cost?

1 other thing I'd like to point out is that the pvc frame is bowing a little due to the pressure from the brick, is this a serious cause for concern?

 

[Ingenuity]

Assuming it's just a matter of grinding out the rail and replacing the brick, how much do you think it would cost?

A few Bit Coins should cover it

Seriously, costs and pricing are sensitive to locality.

 

[dik]

Talk to a good local mason...

Rather than think climate change and the corona virus as science, think of it as the wrath of God. Feel any better?

-Dik

 

[Rick Bean]

I just spoke with a local builder. He says it's an easy fix and likely caused by steel corrosion and over the years rain/damp has gotten in and frost has expanded the brick. He tells me it's nothing to worry about but will show on a survey as something that needs fixed.

 

[rb1957]

Oh, ok ... didn't understand you were looking to buy.

sounds like you have good advice, and should negotiate the cost of repair in the sale.

sounds like you've got good advice. PVC door frame should "pop" back when brick work repaired.

is this place in Britian ? ... looks British ??

another day in paradise, or is paradise one day closer ?

 

[Rick Bean]

Yeah it's in UK. Thanks for the help

 

[LittleInch]

I won't be surprised if this isn't just a small stand alone brick column 1 brick wide by 1 brick deep, but of no structural value.

you would though need to figure out where the lintel goes / rests on for the main door opening as it might rest on top of this pile of rubble.

But I suspect it is purely cosmetic, so long term, just remove the railings and knock down and replace the brick column.

If you can get anyone to do it, it's probably £1 -2K including new bricks.

Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.

 

[1503-44]

Thinking the same. Overcast sky and all.
And LittleInche's price estimate. 250€ here, if we don't have to import the bricks. We'd cut them square and recycle them.

The problems you can see aren't usually "the problems". Its the ones I dont see that cause me the most grief.

 

[LittleInch]

Getting brickies at the moment is horrible or getting anyone to quote for such a small bit of work.

Realistically it should be one day for two people to do it all and take the rubble away so maybe £500 + bricks, but no one can be bothered with these little jobs atm...

Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.

 

[Tomfh]

Does the balustrade even need to connect to the brick? It looks like cantilever posts. It
Might be worth trimming the end off.