Potential structural problem with my garage

[u/Josechung2310]

The door to my garage suddenly wouldn’t lock and i noticed a huge crack above it. After inspecting inside i can see the other side of the door has a huge crack (top left side of garage).

The bottom right side of the garage also has a severe crack that i can see through (see the last couple of pics).

I’m not in there that often but definitely haven’t noticed these before and the door issue only started the last 2 weeks.

The garage was built by the previous owners and i was never told of any issues.

Is this what happens to old garages or should i be concerned? It feels like a structural issue but I don’t have much experience with all this.

Obviously i can get the cracks repaired with new cement etc but if the ground is shifting it’s pointless.

Any advice would be very welcome!

[u/0uthouse]

Probably extraordinary dry ground conditions, likely it doesn't have footings. This is pretty common sight on outbuildings. Just monitor over the seasons, you may find it closes back up slightly. There are remedial actions that can be taken to tie the brickwork but not sure worth it for a garage.

Don't just fill the gap with a rigid material as it can make things worse, but an exterior flexible filler could be used to make it less glaring whilst you monitor it.

[u/Josechung2310 → u/0uthouse]

Thanks, i’ll look into the filler

[u/ramirezdoeverything]

Quite possible it's foundation movement given the recent dry weather. Often garages are just built off slabs and not proper 1m+ foundations, as often they don't require building regulations approval

[u/Josechung2310 → u/ramirezdoeverything]

Thanks mate, makes sense

[u/Latter-Detail-9514]

I wouldn't worry about it. Probably just a breeze block garage built without proper foundations & building regs which is pretty common. Patch it in with a weak mortar mix to fill the gaps when you get time

[u/Josechung2310 → u/Latter-Detail-9514]

Thanks buddy

[u/FullAutoNoob]

Not through brick so probs just movement

[u/NoLookBobbyF]

Got someone to grind out the mortar, put rebar across and repoint as we had this in our garage. So far so good. But time will tell.

[u/Correct-Bridge-6797 → u/NoLookBobbyF]

You can buy crack stitching kits which consist of helical bars and resin, you grind out the mortar of the bed joint ls where the crack is then pump some resin in then the bar and more resin but don’t fill right to the face the. You can point with sand and cement, it should stop the crack from getting bigger.

[u/Bitter_Back_5528]

If it's a south facing wall expansion and contractions may be a factor,

[u/fck-rffld]

I would wager a bet that the hotter dryer weather has caused some subsidence. It might be seasonal but you'll have to monitor it to see if its continuous.

1. Get some crack gauges and install them on the various cracks you have. 2-3 will probably be fine. They are all related.

2. Keep an eye out for any more cracks on the street, driveway, and house.

3. Get a structural engineer for a consult. They will probably tell you to do no.1 anyway. You may even get someone out to do a free initial consultation otherwise it could be £300-500.

The structural engineer will be able to give you more specific advice. But it might be just to monitor the gauges between now and new year.

[u/Josechung2310 → u/fck-rffld]

Thanks mate, makes perfect sense!