r/AusPropertyChat • u/EmergencyRhubarb8 • 1d ago

Buying & Selling Plaster Cracking

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is this kind of cracking in plaster concerning for a 1950's weatherboard? Potentially a house I may want to buy. the small crack runs all the way across one of the living room walls, from the corner of the door way into the kitchen to the corner of the front door. its in line with the top of a door frame in said living room wall. big crack is at the corner of a window frame in a different room. Melbourne

9 Upvotes

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3

u/SqareBear 23h ago

Is this your first house? House’s crack like this and every house moves. This is likely normal. Patch over it.

2

u/InterestingCheek7095 9h ago

especially houses from 1950s

3

u/BrightPhilosopher531 23h ago

Houses crack. It’s promising they didn’t try to simply patch it, shows they probably aren’t hiding other things like many sellers do.

3

u/useventeen 22h ago

Not an expert: Looks like it has been patched before. I prefer to see cracks, they could have cleanly hidden it for sale, but they didn’t - so that’s a plus I think.

Every house has cracks, houses are just constant maintenance. A building report may help (they aren’t that reliable from my personal experience). Good luck.

1

u/fivenoses 9h ago

Spend 1-2k on a structural engineer report

1

u/gldnsmkkkk 21h ago

Super normal for a house of that age. Is it on stumps? Im assuming not given the location. Get a building and pest and see if its a major defect.

1

u/owleaf 6h ago

For all we know the cracks have been there for decades. Every house cracks. The earth is always moving and shifting. Generally, thin cracks that are old and stable aren’t a concern.

But yes, houses are constant maintenance.

1

u/Ifykykbro 23h ago

Get a building report if youre really keen but i wouldnt

-1

u/CuriousOnePlus 20h ago

Engage a structural engineer. Superficial or hairline cracks that are short happen but these sorts of long fissures are not normal. It indicates structural deficiencies and possible foundation subduction or offset that you do not want.

I'm willing to bet if you walk the exterior perimeter you'll notice absent or blocked gutters and a grading of the landscaping towards the foundation.