Victorian - External Brickwork stepped cracks

[Stu40]

Hello, am in the process of purchasing a Victorian property, however our survey is not a for a few weeks and have just noticed some cracks to the external brickwork. Of course internally there are also many cracks. I’ll wait to get the survey results before appointing an engineer but it would be good to know your thoughts as to whether you think this is subsidence, failed lintels, or just old settlement. I’ve included a few internal photos, which don’t correlate with the external cracks. I’m aware that there has been a failed effort to repoint. Thank you.

 

[Cubist]

I'm not seeing any disturbance to the decorative brickwork above the windows but the cracked mortar joints above do suggest that perhaps a wooden lintel behind the red brick panels has begun to fail. Are all the interior cracks you are seeing close to or associated with window and door openings? This may suggest rainwater penetration causing either the wooden frames to swell or the plaster to 'blow'.

 

[Stu40]

Thanks. No the cracks vary. Some are around windows and some are like the large crack shown - to internal openings. There are also of course many cracks to walls and ceilings elsewhere.

Just trying to gauge how much of a renovation this property will be.

 

[Cubist]

Theres no easy answer to that one sadly and the final cost is always more than first thought. A good rule of thumb though is perhaps twice the worst case estimate/quotation you get from a good tradesman.

The biggest challenge though is finding one of the latter.

 

[stuart45]

That's a long span for a camber arch. Normally a max span of 4ft. It has started to move a bit. Luckily the inner lintel supports the load as well.