www.iva.co.uk

hi judo
been thinking about your prob im not a expert but.

is the crack on the inside wall only ?
do the patio doors still open and close (good sign)
the suport above the doors (lintel)does not give up as a rule
a freind had cracks in her walls from gas pipe laying a few meters away

hope this might help
corfu
how long ago were the patio doors fitted

Corfu!!!
Thank you for this.
The crack is on the inside wall only and doesn't appear to go very deep. The patio doors open and close just fine. Not sure how old they are. We have been in the house 4 years so lord only knows!
If it is the support above the patio doors then it does worry me. My friend said we could just plaster over the crack if it doesn't move any more but it still wouldn't alter the fact that the problem would still be there! The patio doors do need replacing at some stage as the glass has blown. I have visions of the doors being removed and the whole lot just caving in from above! Silly I know.
Thanks so much for this Corfu. I really do appreciate it x

morning judo
it sounds as if you have nothing to worry about as houses do get cracks from time to time.and as your patio door is workin fine it says there is not a weight pushing down on it.
you dont need to change the doors you can just change the blown double glazed unit.
to put your mind at rest why not get a quote for changing the patio doors from a local window firm,tell them you are worried about it because of the crack.this way you will get free expert advice

corfu

You may also be able to claim on the house insurance.

Thanks Corfu! I didn't realise until recently that just the glass could be replaced! I am a bit of DIY phobe!!! It is something I will look into.

Jan,
I did kind of worry about it a bit too much and I have indeed contacted my insurance company.
They have put it down as a possible subsidence claim although I told them that even I thought this was highly unlikely. They are going to send somebody out to look at it.
I kind of wish I hadn't contacted them now though because I have read that this 'claim' will stay on my file and might mean they will increase my premium.
Surely though, this wouldn't happen if there was no claim to be made. Oh, I don't know.!

If they come out and check and you then don't make a claim it will not show on your insurance.

If you can get it done cheaply by just paying your excess then go for it!

I've made several claims over the past couple of years on the contents insurance and not thought twice about it.

It's what you pay your premiums for.