Let’s be honest – spotting a crack in your wall or ceiling can give you a bit of a fright.
Is the house falling down? Do you need to call a builder right now? Or is it just part of the home’s natural ageing process? You’re not alone if you’ve run through these very scenarios in your head!
At Trimax Building Inspections, we’ve seen all kinds of cracks – from tiny hairlines to absolute whoppers. In fact, our founder Glenn still talks about the worst one he’s ever seen: a crack the width of his thumb, running through an external brick wall at a home in Balmoral on Brisbane’s southside. Yikes!
So, are all Cracks Bad?
Not necessarily. Some cracks are just cosmetic – common in older homes or even new builds as they settle. Small, hairline cracks in paint or plaster? Usually nothing to stress about.
Others however can signal movement in the structure or shifting soil underneath – and that’s when it’s time to dig a little deeper.
If in doubt – especially if you are purchasing the property – it’s best to call in a qualified building inspector like Trimax Building Inspections, to give you that peace of mind.
Common Causes of Cracks
Cracks in walls and ceilings can develop for all sorts of reasons, such as:
- Natural settling of the home over time
- Temperature changes causing expansion and contraction
- Moisture issues or leaks
- Reactive soils (clay soils that swell and shrink with moisture changes – quite common across the Brisbane area)
- Subsidence (sinking due to underground material movement), particularly in areas like Ipswich, where historical mining activity has made ground movement more common
When to Worry
If you notice the following types of cracks in your walls or ceiling, it could be time to call in a professional to investigate:
- Cracks wider than 5mm
- Cracks running on a diagonal or in stair-step patterns
- Gaps that keep getting bigger
- Cracks around windows, or doors that don’t close properly
- Multiple cracks across ceilings or brickwork (like the double brick home Glenn inspected recently in Moorooka … we’re talking cracks galore!)
When Not to Worry
If, on the other hand, your cracks are more like the following – it’s probably not of too much of a concern:
- Hairline cracks under 1mm, especially in plaster
- Cracks that haven’t changed in size over time
- Minor vertical cracks in walls
Why a Professional Building Inspection Matters
Worried those cracks in brick mean foundation problems, but not sure if you’re overreacting? That’s where we can assist. At Trimax Building Inspections, we’re fully independent, with nearly 30 years’ experience in the building industry. Glenn is a licenced builder, so he really knows what to look for – and what not to panic about.
This is the sort of thing you need to know before buying a property. For one unfortunate Redlands home owner, cracks in the walls and ceiling had been covered up with plaster – and they purchased without having a professional building inspection done. The modern brick and tile home in a prestigious estate required major underpinning, at major expense. Don’t let this happen to you!
For a thorough building report that’s easy to understand, book an inspection with Trimax Building Inspections today.