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Direction, width, length and progression of the crack.
Home diagnosis
Crack near a window lintel
A crack above or at the corners of an opening can result from movement, corrosion/expansion of a steel lintel, deficient support or water detailing. Crack shape helps diagnosis but is not enough by itself.
What to look at
Rust, spalling, open joints, frame movement and flashing condition.
Other aligned cracks or distortion of the opening.
Stop point
Professional
Opening crack, loose units, heavily corroded lintel, leakage or distortion = assessment before cosmetic repair.
Useful record
- Dated overview and close-up photos.
- Simple repeated measurements at the same safe location.
- Associated events: rain, freeze/thaw, recent work or impact.
- Do not conceal the defect before inspection when progression or cause is uncertain.
Related path
Continue with the right tools
These links connect this page to the next useful checks and decisions without repeating the full content.
Connect symptoms to the enclosureStart from condensation, staining, odours or movement before choosing a repair.Open →Adapt the enclosure to climateConnect heat, cold, water, wind and wildfire to building priorities.Open →Assess overall resilienceReview water, climate, safety, autonomy and records with a local score.Open →Screen hazardous materialsIdentify situations where work should stop and testing is needed before disturbance.Open →Open climate guidanceReview climate constraints relevant to assemblies and materials.Open →
Tools related to this issue
Explore: Systems to check before closing the work
Systems to check before closing the work
This section connects envelope, air, fire, structure, water and code instead of treating each project in isolation.
Explore: Specialized diagnostics to verify
Specialized diagnostics to verify
This section connects systems that become costly or regulated when a primary project triggers them.
Explore: Edge systems to integrate into the project
Edge systems to integrate into the project
This section covers interfaces that become important when multiple home systems interact.
Explore: Often-overlooked service interfaces
Often-overlooked service interfaces
This section connects systems that cross utility, plumbing, HVAC, envelope and metering boundaries.
Explore: Project risks and overlooked interfaces
Project risks and overlooked interfaces
This section connects payment, water, envelope, ventilation and jobsite details that often create costly surprises.
Explore: Household safety and compliance details
Household safety and compliance details
This section connects smaller risks that often fall between finishes, appliances, plumbing and local code.
Explore: Shared, access and specialized interfaces
Shared, access and specialized interfaces
This section connects projects where multiple systems, owners or rules meet.
Explore: Commissioning and everyday safety
Commissioning and everyday safety
This section helps verify systems after work and document the values that make a home safer to operate.
Explore: Post-disaster and legacy systems
Post-disaster and legacy systems
This section connects contamination, storm damage, legacy materials and recommissioning before rebuilding.
Explore: Use, excavation and construction constraints
Use, excavation and construction constraints
This section connects use permits, soil, excavation, neighbouring structures and public-space logistics before hard-to-reverse work.