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What to do when you notice settlement or cracks in a building

How to photograph cracks and changes in floor levels and prepare useful information before a building settlement inspection.

By HAMAT Group Content updated

Photograph the crack and its location

Take a wide photo showing where the crack sits relative to a door, window or column. Then take a well-lit close-up facing the wall. Where the area is safe to reach, place a ruler beside the crack in the same plane as the wall. Keep the original photo and record its date and location.

Illustration of a wide photograph showing a wall crack near a window
Illustrated example of a wide shot showing the crack in context.
Illustration of a close-up of the same crack with a ruler beside it
Illustrated example of a close-up showing the crack and a scale reference.

Prepare a short record for the site visit

Send the photos with a brief description. When recording changes from a safe position, use a similar camera angle and lighting to make later photos easier to compare.

  • City, building type and the storey or room where the sign appeared
  • When you first noticed it and what has changed, such as a wider crack, a change in floor levels or a sticking door
  • Known leaks, nearby excavation or building alterations, with approximate dates
  • Foundation drawings, ground investigation reports or earlier photos if available

Arrange an assessment before repairing the damage

The initial information helps the engineer decide whether a visit should include level measurements, movement monitoring or ground investigation. If the changes are rapid or a load-bearing element appears damaged, seek urgent structural assessment and stay away from the affected area.

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