- \n
- No expansion joints.<\/strong> Long fa\u00e7ade walls need joints to absorb thermal movement. Without them, the masonry cracks vertically at regular intervals.<\/li>\n
- Corners of openings.<\/strong> Diagonal cracks starting at the corners of windows and doors are caused by stress concentration or by inadequate lintels.<\/li>\n
- Slab edges.<\/strong> A horizontal crack at every floor level usually means the fa\u00e7ade was not separated from the floor slab, or that the slab moves and pushes against the external wall.<\/li>\n
- Poorly applied renders.<\/strong> One-coat renders and mortars applied without mesh, with uneven thickness or in unsuitable weather develop map cracking.<\/li>\n
- Soil pressure and damp<\/strong> in basement and retaining walls without waterproofing or proper drainage.<\/li>\n
- Different materials joined together<\/strong> (brick, block or concrete) without treating the joint.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”20px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0|0px|27px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” column_structure=”3_5,2_5″][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”||||||||” text_font_size=”16px” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”Playfair Display|700|||||||” header_2_text_align=”center” header_2_line_height=”1.7em” text_orientation=”justified” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Crack in the render or structural crack?<\/h2>\n
A fine crack in the render is usually a habitability or finish defect. However, you need to act urgently if the opening goes right through the wall, follows the brick joints in a stepped pattern, gets wider over time or appears in a load-bearing wall: it could be differential settlement<\/a> or a foundation problem<\/a>.<\/p>\n
If damp stains also appear inside the home, water is already getting in through the crack, and the damp<\/a> should be claimed for together with the crack.<\/p>\n
You can find more information in our article on cracks in walls<\/a>.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/dpcon.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/estructurales-cimentacion-3-768×576.jpg” alt=”Stepped crack in a brick wall below a window” title_text=”Stepped crack in a brick wall below a window” align_tablet=”center” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ global_colors_info=”{}” border_radii=”on|20px|20px|20px|20px” align_phone=”center”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”20px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0|0px|27px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”||||||||” text_font_size=”16px” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”Playfair Display|700|||||||” header_2_text_align=”center” header_2_line_height=”1.7em” text_orientation=”justified” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Time limit for claiming wall and fa\u00e7ade cracks<\/h2>\n
If the cracks are caused by a defect in the building elements that affects the habitability of the home, the parties involved in the construction are liable for 3 years<\/strong> from the handover of the works (article 17.1.b of the LOE). If they only affect the finishes, the building contractor is liable for 1 year<\/strong>, and if they have a structural cause the guarantee is 10 years<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
Once the damage has appeared within those periods, you have 2 years<\/strong> to bring legal action (article 18 of the LOE). Against the developer who sold the property, there is also a contractual liability claim<\/a>, with a five-year time limit. If you have doubts about your case, contact us as soon as possible: the time limits run from the moment the damage appears.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”20px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0|0px|27px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”||||||||” text_font_size=”16px” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”Playfair Display|700|||||||” header_2_text_align=”center” header_2_line_height=”1.7em” text_orientation=”justified” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
How to claim for wall cracks<\/h2>\n
- \n
- Take dated photographs of the cracks with something for scale (a ruler or a coin) so you can compare how they develop.<\/li>\n
- Commission an expert report<\/a>: the expert will measure the cracks, fit tell-tales if necessary and establish their cause and the cost of repairing them.<\/li>\n
- Send a formal demand (burofax) to the developer and the building contractor asking for the repair.<\/li>\n
- If no agreement is reached, our lawyers file the claim with the report as the key evidence.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Fa\u00e7ades and boundary walls are communal elements: if the cracks affect the whole building, the claim is usually brought by the homeowners’ association.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.23.1″ custom_padding=”16px|0px|8px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]
Have cracks appeared in your home?<\/h3>
A DPCON expert architect will inspect the cracks, find out what is causing them and tell you whether you can claim for them, and from whom.<\/p>
Call +34 646 567 732<\/a>Request an assessment<\/a><\/div><\/div>[\/et_pb_code][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”20px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”27px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”||||||||” text_font_size=”16px” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”|600|||||||” header_2_text_align=”center” header_2_line_height=”1.7em” text_orientation=”justified” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\nOther types of cracks<\/h2>\n
- Corners of openings.<\/strong> Diagonal cracks starting at the corners of windows and doors are caused by stress concentration or by inadequate lintels.<\/li>\n
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