Cracked ceiling/ windows



Brick house windows replaced 6 months ago, crack goes length of room right to the window , Window installs have what look like caulk rather then mortar, some of it just filled in big sections on some of the windows. Called it out but just curious on thoughts?

My first reaction from my computer screen is the ceiling crack is a drywall seam crack. That alone is primarily aesthetic, unless other issues are observed in the room or attic above that crack.

I don’t understand the crack above the window, which qualifies as “other issues”. There is supposed to be a header above the window. That makes for suspicion and either more detailed inspection or further evaluation by a GC.

As far as the caulk between the lintel and brick, located above the window exterior, I don’t see an issue with that. Caulk is more flexible than mortar.

Those look like vinyl, upgraded windows. It looks like the cladding around the window frame is custom bent and fit to provide a good transition between the window frame and the brick exterior. Looks good from my computer screen.

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The house appears to be circa 1920’s, if so, it’s likely plaster and lathe. Is there a partition wall upstairs above the ceiling crack?

The cracks look like plaster cracks to me, at least from here, if the window was recently installed they have had too tight of a fit, or the linel has failed. It also looks like they caulked over that smiling lintel.

They probably should have replaced the lintel when they replaced the windows.

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They look like replacement windows? the new window was installed in the old window frame?

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By the look of the brick plus the swirlies on the plaster ceiling, I feel safe in stating that is a replacement window. :wink:

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If the lintel was causing a problem, I would expect to see that show up first on the brick, not on the interior ceiling/wall. I don’t think the two are related.

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Agreed, I should have mentioned that IMO they aren’t related and that the location of the crack in relation to the window is IMO coincidental.

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They are saying that the new windows caused the cracks?

Is this the whole, I went in for an oil change and a day later, my brakes were shot? They were fine before the oil change, so I demand that the mechanic fix them for free.

yes new window done 6 months ago according to home owner, i asked how long the crack had been there but haven’t heard back , they were liberal with caulk and in one case, looks like mortar

or cement to fillin… was upper window so i zoomed in, but as for crack was concerned if lintel failed, looks like they reused them all.

I agree. Windows are not the issue, new or old. They are just place holders. And if it is a veneer, what will the lintel have to do with the ceiling?

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Caulk like mortar could be a synthetic, elastic product to look like mortar. What’s wrong with “liberal with caulk” during a window retrofit? Is that a new lintel there?

No cracks above the window; a condition to be noted in your investigation.

I’m not a brick construction expert by any means, but I wonder if the caulk will prevent drainage of any moisture accumulation on/above the lintel?

If you look closely you can see someone either caulked or tuckpointed the bricks above the window, not to mention the bricks that look to be modified to the left and right of the top of the window.

That’s a hot mess.

Yes, it will. should I cauk over a window lintel - Google Search

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I agree with others. The crack has nothing to do with the window or the lintel.

That is a more likely cause of the crack.

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I don’t know where you are located or the type of foundation but I don’t believe in coincidences. Unless I can prove they are not related, then cracks in the same area of a brick exterior, interior wall, and ceiling I will always assume they at least could be related. The ceiling crack appears to continue straight down the interior wall and the horizontal gap at the top of the wall and ceiling indicate movement. There are cracks in the mortar over the window along with the mortar patch. Too much concentrated evidence of movement for a coincidence for me. I would be calling it out. I would also be sighting down the mortar lines on that brick wall looking for a sag or ruling it out. My guess from my computer screen is foundation movement below the window.

To me, the photos look like ordinary settling for an old house. The windows look like they have a vinyl trim around the window frame. Looking good now, but just last week I saw similarly trimmed windows that no longer looked that good.