Thread: stair step hairline crack

I found a stair step crack in the brick veneer and mortar in a house I am currently buying.

Can this become an issue now? Or in the future?

What is the cause of this kind of crack?

Thank you very much.

Mike

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These cracks are nothing to be concerned about.
This is a brick veneer and the cracking could be the result of minor foundation settlement, expansion/contraction over the length of the wall.

Originally Posted by Mike Van

I found a stair step crack in the brick veneer and mortar in a house I am currently buying.

Can this become an issue now? Or in the future?

What is the cause of this kind of crack?

Thank you very much.

Mike

I agree with Raymond. It looks like a poured concrete foundation. It is likely that there is a vertical shrinkage crack in the foundation at or near the area where these cracks are located. That also would not be a concern. Assuming we a correct from what we see there would typically be no significant change in the future. Of course, we have not seen the whole foundation or the site.