I recently moved into a 100+ year-old Victorian house, and I've noticed some cracks appearing at the corners of the doors since the beginning of this year. When I first moved in, I don't remember seeing them at all. I marked where the cracks were on the wall with a pencil and noted the date - January 20. One side of the room looks stable, but the other side has developed more cracks in just three months. I'm a bit worried this could mean the house is collapsing. Here's a photo of the cracks. What do you think?
2 Answers
Chances are, your house isn't collapsing. It's been standing for over a century, right? If the cracks popped up after you moved in, it's possible the previous owner covered them up with spackle before selling. If you're really concerned, calling a structural engineer for peace of mind could be a good idea. Just keep an eye out for other signs of settling; walls don’t just give in without a reason.
I've worked as a property claims adjuster for over 25 years, and from what I've seen, those cracks are pretty typical for older homes, especially Victorians. They’re stress cracks that often show up around windows and doors. They might look bad, but structurally, they’re not a big deal. Plus, they often come back even after being repaired. So, it’s nothing to worry about too much!