Found a brick crack when seeing a home today ... Is it too critical to buy this home?

[v2w2]

Hi my friends,

I am looking a home (Nov. 2000) in Houston, tx. Today, I saw a home and everything is fine for us except a brick crack at the wall (backyard). I do not know if it is a foundation issue or not. Is it too critical to consider to buy this home?

I am planning to be a home for 18-years or about.

If it needs to be fixed, how much approximately?

The location is at a bay-windows with a big covered patio, please see pictures.

Any thoughts will be appreciated.



http://www.renovateforum.com/attachments/f210/87542-found-brick-crack-when-seeing-home-today-too-critical-buy-home-photo1a.jpghttp://www.renovateforum.com/attachments/f210/87543-found-brick-crack-when-seeing-home-today-too-critical-buy-home-photo2a.jpg

[PeteV]

assuming that is the worst of it, i don't see too many issues there... ideally there would have been an expansion joint directly above the window to allow for small amounts of movement. a couple of things make me curious though... with a near straight joint directly above the corner of the window, why didn't the mortar crack. and what is the go with the small slithers below the sill. i'm not completely familiar with us building practices but i find it a little odd?! hope this helps!

[Lizzyodowd]

a couple of things make me curious though... with a near straight joint directly above the corner of the window, why didn't the mortar crack. and what is the go with the small slithers below the sill. i'm not completely familiar with us building practices but i find it a little odd?! hope this helps!
that near straight joint appears (to my eye anyway) to be on all of the corner, almost as if it's a tile and not brick?

[PeteV]

yeah, it looks like they had a little trouble starting the quarter bond again once at bar height... not sure it's tile though... if i had to guess, i'd suggest diy bricklayer with a super strong mortar mix. the stack bond up the side of the bay window sort of gives the diy thing away, then again, it could just be the american way???

[v2w2]

I feel a little comfortable now ... Thanks for your comments and happy 2012 ...

Any other thoughts are welcome ...