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cheekymonkey · Joined: 29 Jun 2008 Posts: 3 Location: london

Looked at a property with double height gable ends 5.3 m/18ft long with a 3rd of mezzanine floor at one end, no joist in the gable end. The wall is double skin with a cavity, brick external and soft breeze blocks (maybe thermalite) internal with no surface finish. There is a supporting pillar of blocks near each corner.

There is a hairline type crack in the centre of each gable running from floor level all the way up to the top. The crack runs through the blocks and mortar joints. No visible cracks on the outer wall.

The property was built 17 years ago as a garage/studio.

Can anyone tell me what the problem might be?
How serious it is and how could it be fixed?
And is it worth buying the property?

We want to extend the mezzanine floor all the way across and convert to a home.

Any advice appreciated.

Cheers

thescruff · Moderator Joined: 03 May 2003 Posts: 4400 Location: Bath

You need a structural engineer to check it out