Large Crack over Bathroom Window in Apartment in Capetown Brickwork, drystone walling, render are a few subjects covered here. Click here to post questions and get answers

[mark86]

Hi,
I wonder if someone could give me some advice here. The photo shows a very large crack over the bathroom window. What is involved in repairing this and what could of caused it. Would it be structural or as i am being told, it is a waterproofing issue coming from the outside. Been quoted £1500 in capetown to fix it.

any advice gladly received.

Thanks

[diydoctor6]

It might be structural, but hard to see from a photo. It does look like the is it just the plaster that has come away from the bottom of the lintel, which is not structural. You will need to remove this plaster to repair it, so you will also be able to see if the lintel is OK, which will give you peace of mind.

It might be a wooden lintel that's cracked, or moisture has got into the plaster and blown it.

Find out more about lintels over windows here: https://www.diydoctor.org.uk/projects/buildinlintel.htm