How do you know if a house crack is serious?

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4 min

The appearance of a crack in a house or apartment should not be taken lightly by its owner. Depending on the type of crack, work will have to be undertaken to prevent water infiltration and structural problems. When should you worry? How to repair a crack in a house? Which professional should you turn to? What compensation is possible? Find out everything you need to know about cracks in a house in this file.

What is a crack?

A crack takes the form of a crack or split on the wall of a home, or sometimes on the floor or ceiling, both inside and outside the home. The appearance of a crack in a house is a common phenomenon. However, it is important to turn to a specialist to diagnose the severity of the crack.

What are the different types of cracks?

When talking about house cracks, it is important to distinguish between the different types of cracks. In most cases, the distinction is made by taking into account the amplitude between the two lips of the crack.

Microcracks

Microcracks generally do not exceed 0.2 mm in width. They are found almost exclusively in the plaster of the house. They can be horizontal or vertical. Although they are not dangerous for the structure of the home, it is still advisable to check that they do not widen.

Deep cracks (vertical and horizontal)

Deep cracks are cracks that are wider than 2 mm. These deep cracks, or lizard cracks, are structural and represent a danger to the structure of the house. They can take several forms:

• Vertical (at wall level).
• Whiskers (in the corner of windows or doors).
• Horizontal (at floor level).
• In steps (at the level of the masonry joints).

Most often through, they are located both in the coating of the house and in the construction material of the wall, floor, ceiling. As soon as they appear, you must contact a specialist.

What causes a crack in a house or apartment?

Natural causes (drought, ground movement, floods, etc.)

Cracks in the wall can have a natural or structural cause. Natural disasters, ground movements, drought, floods, etc. are all factors that can cause cracks to form in a house.

Design flaw

In another area, an architectural design flaw or a poor choice of material for the construction of the house can lead to the appearance of a crack.

The date of construction of the building

The older a house or apartment is, the more likely it is to crack. It is important to regularly check the condition of the walls, ceilings and floors in your home.

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House cracks: when should you worry?

The vast majority of house cracks are superficial and harmless. However, it is important to monitor their progress because of the danger they can represent. They can quickly worsen following water infiltration, ground movement or drought. There may then be a risk of collapse.

Risk of cracking on new house

Cracks in the wall can affect both new and old houses. In the case of new houses, these are most often micro-cracks, which appear on the exterior rendering of the house. Unless they are through, widen quickly and/or multiply, they should not give rise to concern. However, owners may ask the builder of the house to intervene, as part of the perfect completion guarantee. And this is for aesthetic reasons.

Risk of cracking in old house

Subjected for a longer period to the constraints of time passing, ground movements, droughts, etc., old houses are more at risk of cracks than new houses. For owners or tenants of an old house, it is appropriate to be concerned when:

• The cracks are deep and/or widen rapidly.
• Water infiltration and/or humidity problems appear.
• Creaking noises are heard in the house.

In either of these situations, it is advisable to call a professional.

Which expert should you contact when you have cracks in the walls of your house?

The builder of the new building

It all depends on the situation and the type of crack. If cracks appear on a new house still under ten-year warranty, you should contact the builder. For purely aesthetic micro-cracks, a plastering professional can intervene to fill the cracks.

A crack expert

For the most worrying situations and/or cracks in an old house, it is necessary to contact a crack expert. The latter will be able to diagnose their origin and their potential danger. Finally, it is advisable to contact your insurer.

Does home insurance cover cracks in house facades?

Natural disaster and water damage guarantee

It all depends on the origin of the cracks. Home insurance can cover cracks caused by a natural phenomenon (natural disaster guarantee), a leak (water damage guarantee), a fire or any damage covered by the insurance contract.

Ten-year guarantee, perfect completion and building damage insurance

In the event of cracks in a new home, other guarantees come into play:

• ten-year guarantee (in the event of claims or damage affecting the solidity of the house);
• guarantee of perfect completion (in the event of defects in poorly executed work);
• building damage insurance (protection for 10 years from receipt of the work).

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How to report cracks to insurance?

Attach the references of the natural disaster order

To benefit from coverage for cracks in a house by home insurance, it is necessary to report it to your insurer within 30 days of the loss. You must attach the references of the natural disaster order published in the Official Journal (mandatory to start any compensation procedure).

Intervention of an expert mandated by the insurer

An expert is then appointed by the insurer to determine the characteristics of this support, including, among other things, the carrying out of a soil study. The timeframes for such a study and for carrying out the restoration work are measured in quarters, or even years.

How to repair cracks in a house?

Repairing cracks in a house varies depending on their size and origin. For purely aesthetic micro-cracks on a new house, redoing the plaster can restore the original appearance of the walls. For deep cracks, it is often necessary to reinforce the foundations and/or stabilize the construction. The best thing to do is to call in professionals and compare quotes to assess the cost of repairs.

What financial assistance is available for crack repairs?

Depending on the nature of the crack, it is possible to receive different compensations from your insurer. In addition, there is financial aid from the State. In particular, in the context of a facade renovation, it is possible to benefit from aid from Anah.

How to avoid cracks in a building?

Carry out a soil study

Having the soil study carried out by a geotechnical engineer and taking into account its results before construction is the first action to take to avoid cracks. Before any development or extension work, it is also advisable to call on a soil expert to validate the work and the quality of the foundations.

Take care of the vegetation

In areas with unstable clay soil, it is recommended to avoid planting large amounts of vegetation near the house. Tree roots can, in fact, cause cracks in a house by drying out the clay soil.

Check drainage systems

To prevent water infiltration into the walls, it is important to check that the drainage systems are working properly.