Reported by homeowner“Cracks visible outside near the foundation corner and inside near a window/door frame — not sure if it's serious.”
Moderate cracking to the block foundation and internal plasterboard
This looks worth checking rather than ignoring, but it does not look like an immediate emergency from the photos. Further checking is recommended before deciding to monitor or arrange a specialist inspection.
The photos show a moderate stepped/vertical crack in the painted block (masonry) foundation near a corner of the house, together with internal plasterboard cracking near a window/door opening. From photos alone this does not confirm active foundation movement, but the combination of exterior foundation cracking and related-looking internal cracking is enough to justify further checking rather than treating it as purely cosmetic.
Check further before deciding to monitor or repair
This does not look like an immediate emergency from the photos, but it is not something to ignore — especially if you are buying, or if the cracks are new, widening, or doors/windows are starting to stick. The sensible next step is to confirm whether the movement is active and whether drainage/moisture near the corner is contributing, before assuming a repair is needed.
- Note whether the crack is new, old, or getting wider — and date a photo of it now.
- Check whether doors or windows near this area stick or have changed.
- Check whether floors nearby slope, bounce, or feel uneven.
- Look at where the downpipe discharges and whether water pools near the foundation, especially after heavy rain.
- Take wider exterior photos of the whole wall, plus a close-up with a coin or tape for scale.
Five photos were submitted with this assessment — three of the block foundation exterior (including the side path and drainage), and two of internal cracking.
The most likely explanation is localised foundation or ground movement near the corner, possibly influenced by drainage or moisture conditions — the crack location, the nearby downpipe and narrow side path, and the related-looking internal cracking all point that way. It is also possible this is historic settlement that has since stabilised, or localised cracking in the coating/blockwork without major structural movement. Photos alone cannot confirm whether the movement is active or historic. A major foundation failure is not obvious from these photos, but cannot be ruled out without inspection, floor levels, and subfloor/foundation checks.
Appears focused on the affected corner and the nearby internal opening, but the rest of that wall line and adjacent foundation/blockwork should be checked for similar cracking.
The photos are clear enough to identify a foundation crack and settlement related stressors. The next step is to clarify whether the movement is active and whether drainage or ground conditions are contributing.
- Visible surface cracks and their general patterns
- Approximate crack width and apparent path (stepped / vertical)
- Material type (painted block / masonry, weatherboard, plasterboard, etc.)
- General structural context from photos
- Nearby drainage features visible in the photos (downpipe, side path)
- Whether the crack is currently active or historic
- Subfloor and foundation condition not visible in photos
- Floor levels and any slope across the floor
- Soil and ground conditions beneath the foundation
- Where the downpipe discharges and moisture behind the wall
- Hidden framing, reinforcement, and structural connections
- The crack is new or has widened recently
- Doors or windows near the area have started to stick
- Floors nearby slope, bounce, or feel uneven
- Water pools near the foundation or the downpipe discharges at the corner
- Internal and external cracks clearly line up
Worth checking — not an emergency
Visible signs suggest this corner is worth getting a specialist inspection within about 3 months — sooner if the cracks are new, widening, or doors/windows start to stick. It does not look like an immediate emergency from the photos, but don't treat it as purely cosmetic, especially before going unconditional on a purchase.
Public utility and location context near the property. Indicative only — confirm exact asset locations via CCTV / service locate before any works.
Resin injection to stabilise a settled corner
Resin injectionDownpipe & drainage correction at a foundation corner
DrainageInternal cracking near window investigated first
InvestigationLocalised underpinning to a settled corner
UnderpinningComparable past repair examples — anonymised, indicative only. Actual scope and cost depend on site inspection.