Subsidence?

[tali122]

in the corner of my bedroom is a very small store room, inside it has 3 noticeable vertical cracks running like a squiggly graph , the cracks are wide ( about 6mm max) for me to run my fingernail thru them. 95% of the crack width from top is consistent in size with only the bottom 5% tapering off .Outside On the top edge of the door frame of store room is 1 thinner crack running halfway up
Would appreciate advice on how serious is this problem?

[buildersmate]

I take it this is on an external wall and that you are referring to the inside? Is there are similar set of cracks on the outside - not necessarily in exactly the same place? Has anything been done outside around the outside recently? What sort of soil structure have you got -clay? How long has the house been there before this happened? Are there any large trees nearby? Sorry - but need further answers before opinions can be formed. Even then the best we can do will just be a view - may have to advise you call your insurance company. Meanwhile keep paying the premiums!

[tali122]

thanks buildersmate the the "outside" also has a tighterer crack running in the bottom corner , if by external wall(sorry for being a ignaramous) you mean that you have to be physically outside the house then no it isn't external.
The house was a new purchase (it is of old constuction)and i only discovered the cracks when we went to move the previous tenants (why didn't they get prob fixed under insurance?) belongings which were piled in the storeroom.
Yes there is large fir type tree in the garden which is directly in line of the storeroom , but i dont know about soil structure how do i tell? also are there any instances where insurance will not pay?
thanks

[tezestwing]

Hi tali122 There is another factor that could contribute to your problem that is water drainage are there any down pipes near by if they are blocked not working 100% is the sokeaway far enough from the building ? is it taking water ? is there any sewer inspection chambers (manhole covers) near by ? any extra water that has developed due to the breakdown of the above could compromise your foundations HTH Tez

[tali122]

thanks , have not had probs with drainage/water no manhole cover nearby either , but it is a leafy tree lined area in general, also house is a terrace dont know how much difference that makes , no cracks in brickwork either, so need to know scale severity of any possible subsidence

[bezzapebo]

Are you in a coal mining area Tali?

[tali122]

no def not