New-Build Snagging Surveys | Professional Snagging Company
  • Home
  • About
    • What is Snagging?
    • Meet the Team
    • Survey Cost
    • Why Choose us?
    • Gallery
    • A Snaggers Blog
    • TikTok Videos
    • Areas Covered
    • FAQ
    • Contact us
  • Our Services
    • Pre Completion Inspection >
      • Example PCI Report
    • Snagging Survey >
      • Example Snag Report
    • Re-inspection
    • Drone Roof Survey
    • Borescope Inspection
    • Window Measurements
    • Heat Loss Survey
  • Reviews
  • Book Now

'Settlement' and 'Shrinkage'? What is the difference?

1/3/2021

1 Comment

 

What is new build settlement?

If you have bought a new build property and find that your site manager is mentioning 'settlement' or tells you "not to worry about 'shrinkage' cracks", then this blog will hopefully be of help to you. We explain the difference between shrinkage and settlement, why it occurs and what to look out for.

'Settlement' from a building surveying point of view technically lasts for 10 years, although on a practical basis you should only really notice the signs within the first 12 months after completion.
These signs include:-
  • Doors not closing
  • Cracks around the window sills, stairs and door frames
  • Cracking floor tiles upstairs
  • Cracking to brickwork outside

The severity of it will depend upon the foundation type and construction method to build the house, ie. timber framed vs traditional build. In either case, it is the house settling into its new foundations.
​
The reason that settlement cracks occur particularly around door frames, windows and staircases is not because it's where timber and plaster adjoin (a common misunderstanding that Site Managers will tell customers). The truth is that from a structural point of view, the windows, stairs and doors are the weak areas of the house, since they are openings. This is why you will find the most common settlement cracks occur around these openings vs shrinkage cracks which occur elsewhere.
Picture
Picture
​Shrinkage can however show signs in other places such as cracks in your brickwork / mortar outside. It can also cause floor tiles to crack (mainly upstairs). This is often why the Sales or Site team will suggest against laying tiles upstairs, as they are less durable to cope with the movement of the house. 
We would therefore recommend laying a temporary floor surface material in your bathroom such as lino down and then waiting a year before changing to tiles.

What is shrinkage?

Shrinkage is due to the construction materials drying out. As shown in this video, shrinkage cracks often run along the top of walls rather than at openings, at a constant width no less than 2mm. As these 'wet' construction materials (plaster, mortar and concrete) contain a lot of water, it usually takes several months for the shrinkage cracks to occur.  Allowing for ventilation (trickle vents) in the property help this drying out period.
So, with this being said, what does the builder have to do? The answer is that it depends what severity the crack is. According to the BRE, anything less than 5mm is considered minor (cosmetic). The NHBC have a similar stance on this and advise that anything less than 2mm is not of a concern. To check this during our snagging survey we use a crack guage ruler and our photographs are date stamped to monitor if the crack grows.
Picture
cracking-in-homes.pdf
File Size: 937 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

For more information about cracking, a useful document provided by the NHBC is here. Also feel free to get in touch with us if you have any concerns over cracks appearing in your home that may be beyond settlement.
1 Comment
    Picture

    A Snaggers Blog

    HomeSnag inspectors are experts at inspecting new-build houses. This blog shares real examples to demonstrate the importance of getting your new build house or apartment snagged professionally

    Book Online
    TEL 0203 7933588

    Archives

    August 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    September 2022
    June 2022
    August 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    August 2020
    June 2020
    January 2020
    September 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    September 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016


    "I always insist that there is specific provision for snagging," says Thomas Moran, partner at law firm Speechly Bircham. "Reputable developers do this anyway, but there are all sorts in the market, some big, some small, so you need a contractual promise than within, say, a year they will come back to remedy any minor defects in the finishing."
    read full article here

    Contact us

    Please provide details of your property's size and location (e.g. 4 bed house in Guilford) so we can assist you fully. Note: you can find our prices by going to About > Cost of Snagging Survey
Submit

TEL 0203 7933588
​

EMAIL info@homesnag.co.uk
Office 1, Izabella House, 24-26 Regent Place, Birmingham, B1 3NJ
Picture
Read our Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
  • Home
  • About
    • What is Snagging?
    • Meet the Team
    • Survey Cost
    • Why Choose us?
    • Gallery
    • A Snaggers Blog
    • TikTok Videos
    • Areas Covered
    • FAQ
    • Contact us
  • Our Services
    • Pre Completion Inspection >
      • Example PCI Report
    • Snagging Survey >
      • Example Snag Report
    • Re-inspection
    • Drone Roof Survey
    • Borescope Inspection
    • Window Measurements
    • Heat Loss Survey
  • Reviews
  • Book Now