Cracking Assessments
Concerned About Cracks in Your Home?
Cracking Assessment Reports
Structural Engineering Expertise for Cracks in Your Home
If you’ve spotted cracks in your walls, ceilings, or foundations, it can be worrying — especially if they appear to be more than just superficial plaster movement. At Nguyen Structural Services (NSS), we provide professional cracking assessments to investigate the root cause, determine the severity, and provide clear, practical recommendations for repair or further monitoring. Whether you’re a homeowner, landlord, or buyer, we help you understand exactly what’s happening beneath the surface.
What Causes Cracks in Buildings?
Cracks can develop in both new and old buildings for a variety of reasons. Some harmless, others more serious. Common causes include:
- Foundation movement due to clay soils, shrinkage, or ground instability
- Seasonal changes in soil moisture
- Tree roots drawing moisture from the soil or soil heave after tree removal
- Thermal expansion or contraction of building materials
- Poor construction practices or substandard materials
- Overloading of structural elements (e.g. roof or floor loads)
- Alterations or nearby construction work affecting the building’s stability
Cracks aren’t always dangerous, but identifying which ones need structural intervention is crucial to protecting your home.
Can Trees Cause Cracks?
Yes — trees can affect the ground beneath your home. As they grow, their roots absorb moisture from the soil, which can cause the ground to dry out and shrink. If a tree is removed, the soil may swell again as it rehydrates. Both scenarios can lead to ground movement, sometimes referred to as subsidence, which often results in visible cracks, especially around windows, doors, or corners.
At NSS, our cracking assessments consider whether nearby trees could be contributing to the issue. If needed, we’ll advise on further investigations or monitoring to help you understand what’s happening and what action to take.
What Our Cracking Assessment Includes
When you contact NSS about a crack, we carry out a structured assessment tailored to the property and symptoms:
- Site visit and visual inspection
- Analysis of crack width, length, pattern, and orientation
- Investigation of surrounding features (drainage, trees, extensions, etc.)
- Identification of possible structural movement or foundation issues
- Clear written report with professional opinions, photographs, and advice on next steps
When Crack Monitoring is the Right Option
Not all cracks need immediate structural intervention. If early signs of movement are found, we may recommend installing crack monitors or ‘tell-tales’, which track changes in crack width over time.
Monitoring is particularly useful when:
- Movement is suspected but not confirmed
- Soil or weather conditions may be seasonal
- Tree removal has recently occurred
- Legal or insurance claims require evidence of progression
We provide ongoing support with follow-up inspections and updated assessments, so you stay informed at each stage.
What Happens After the Assessment?
Based on our findings, we provide clear advice in our cracking assessments on the next steps, which may include:
- Repointing or cosmetic repairs (if the crack is non-structural)
- Localised structural strengthening (e.g. wall ties, lintels, or brackets)
- Foundation repair or underpinning (in serious cases)
- Tree management or consultation with a geotechnical engineer
- Referral to other specialists where needed (e.g. drainage surveys)
Our priority is to help you protect your property while avoiding unnecessary or expensive work.
If you’ve spotted worrying cracks in your walls, floors, or foundations, don’t leave it to guesswork. At NSS, we offer clear, professional advice backed by years of structural engineering experience. Whether the issue is minor or more serious, we’ll help you understand what’s happening and what to do next with our bespoke cracking assessments.
