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When do building cracks need an inspection?
How location, changes over time and other signs help determine how soon a building crack should be inspected.
By HAMAT Group Content updated
Describe the location and pattern
Identify the element, where the crack begins and the direction it follows. This helps the engineer select areas to inspect. Examples worth reporting include a diagonal crack at the corner of an opening, a stepped crack through masonry joints and a visible crack on a concrete element.
Look for changes and accompanying signs
Tell the engineer if a new crack has appeared, an existing crack has widened, a floor level has changed or a door is starting to bind. The location, development and surrounding elements all matter when investigating the cause. Similar crack patterns can occur for different reasons and need to be assessed in context.
When should you seek urgent structural assessment?
Seek urgent structural assessment if movement is rapid, a column or beam appears damaged, or there are signs of an immediate hazard. Leave the inspection of areas that cannot be reached safely to a professional. Where the signs are stable and it is safe to document them, prepare a short record for the visit.