I purchased a newly built attic apartment in an existing building about 2 1/2 years ago. Eight similar apartments were constructed across three stairwells. It has turned out that I have a lot of cracks in the apartment, which is completely normal according to the builders (who have now gone bankrupt and will not address the 2-year inspection).
I have attached some pictures of the chimney, which has cracked significantly in many places, as well as above the balcony door where there is a substantial gap.
There are also cracks in almost all the ceiling/wall angles and even vertically in the middle of the ceiling.
Does anyone have experience with this and can say whether it's normal in the first few years, or if something is wrong? I should also mention that I visited a neighbor's apartment to see if they had the same issues, and they did not have the same problem with cracks at all.
I have attached some pictures of the chimney, which has cracked significantly in many places, as well as above the balcony door where there is a substantial gap.
There are also cracks in almost all the ceiling/wall angles and even vertically in the middle of the ceiling.
Does anyone have experience with this and can say whether it's normal in the first few years, or if something is wrong? I should also mention that I visited a neighbor's apartment to see if they had the same issues, and they did not have the same problem with cracks at all.
Would say that these cracks are expected. Could they have been avoided? No, but perhaps the extent could have been reduced somewhat.
The chimney should be monitored. Does it have moisture protection (rain cover)? Attic space before and now white plastered, previously moisture variation wasn't an issue but now.
The chimney should be monitored. Does it have moisture protection (rain cover)? Attic space before and now white plastered, previously moisture variation wasn't an issue but now.
Hi,
Thanks for the reply. So even though the plaster on the entire chimney stack has almost cracked like a grid, would you still say that it's expected? As someone who doesn't have any knowledge of construction and has just moved in, I'm a bit worried that the chimney stack might collapse due to all the cracks.
If you also look closely at the pictures of the chimney stack with all the cracks, there are blue spotted areas; could this be moisture from outside, or is it the chimney stack showing through the white paint?
Thanks for the reply. So even though the plaster on the entire chimney stack has almost cracked like a grid, would you still say that it's expected? As someone who doesn't have any knowledge of construction and has just moved in, I'm a bit worried that the chimney stack might collapse due to all the cracks.
If you also look closely at the pictures of the chimney stack with all the cracks, there are blue spotted areas; could this be moisture from outside, or is it the chimney stack showing through the white paint?
Yes, I saw that and that's why I think we should check to ensure that the chimney isn't exposed to unnecessary moisture. Are they clad in sheet metal and have weather protection? The pattern suggests that the chimney moves over time, you don't need to worry about it collapsing.
Yes, the chimney is covered with sheet metal on the roof with weather protection.
What can happen to the chimney if too much moisture is added?
The reason for all my questions is that I have just sold the apartment and want to ensure that the cracks in the apartment, and especially on the chimney, are not a hidden defect that can come back to me in the future. But the cracks were present during the viewing, so reasonably it is a visible defect that the buyer should take into consideration, right?
What can happen to the chimney if too much moisture is added?
The reason for all my questions is that I have just sold the apartment and want to ensure that the cracks in the apartment, and especially on the chimney, are not a hidden defect that can come back to me in the future. But the cracks were present during the viewing, so reasonably it is a visible defect that the buyer should take into consideration, right?