Scottish Elises

Spotted a some cracking of the render on the outside of the house. Built 2007 , in last year on NHBC cover. I am second owner. Have raised an incident which NHBC and they have asked for pictures , copy of the home report (from 2010) and insurance details.

Worst crack is running from top to bottom, some areas larger than 0.2mm which seems to be important. Not sure how long they have been there , maybe a year or more.

Can anyone offer any advice around this issue, not dealt with NHBC before.

Just got an insurance payout for a bathroom pipe related leak. Unlikely related but never know.

Clearly I am a bit worried.

Thank you
Scott

We had £250k worth of repairs done by the NHBC. Unfortunatly our factor dealt with it. I know they did a report on the works before it started but thats all I really know.

/no real help

Get the complaint in ASAP, they'll have to remedy if there's a case and the you run over the 10 years. (ETA as long as you've lodged the issue before 10 years) I lodged an issue with my chimney in the 10th year (ditto next door) and had it rectified via the NHBC, though it went past 10 years.

We had about £20k worth of repairs in Aberdeen from NHBC. Once we had the specialist reports and paperwork together then it all went fairly smoothly.

/not much help either

If it's anything like my experience with them for cracking in render you'd be as well not wasting your time and getting it fixed yourself! If it's just surface cracks they'll probably class it as a cosmetic problem and not their responsibility. The cracks I made a claim for were measured in cm so much bigger than your 0.2mm.

/also of no real help

I would firstly do your Homework on how it's cracked.

Is it the render that has cracked or has the concrete blocks cracked with it?
Does the crack go past the damp course and below ground level?

Even surface cracks can cause problems as if any moisture gets behind the render in the winter, the frost can push the render away from the wall.

I've just spotted a crack in my one year old house which was caused by poor installation of expansion joints in the wall, and also some of my harling has gone boss. The house building firm has claimed fault and agreed to re-do two gable walls.

I'm also in the building trade so they were struggling with the excuses.

Thanks lads, is helpful to understand other people experiences. House is pretty high, hard to get a close look even with a ladder at the worst offender that starts at the top near a air vent. All the others appear to be below window sills.

Had a visit from NHBC today , thankfully no foundation issues just a couple of render cracks mostly at weak points under windows due to expansion/contraction. Appears to be a couple of ways to fix:

1. Wet area and force in concrete power.
2. Render slurry mix.
3. Polysulfide.

Apply one of the above and then paint (white).

I have me a large ladder so could give it a go however there is one spot that will be too high.

Posted again to ask:

1. got any advice if i do it myself?
2. know anyone that would quote for the work in my area should i chicken out?

Cheers
Scott

Graeme English - Graeme's Plastering Service

07793 807448

Based in Dundee

ETA - he's done masses of plastering in my houses over the years, but I know he's also very experienced with external harling or render

Good man Ross, thank you

I've just had a chimney rebuilt and rendered and another one rendered and it's a great job. Can give you the contact details of the guy if you need them.

Hey Simon. Yes please send the details , always good to get a couple of quotes.

Hope you are well
Scott