GLOSSARY · ADELAIDE
Stepped cracking
Plain English
Cracks that step diagonally through brick mortar joints, following the path of least resistance. Common indicator of foundation movement.
When a brick wall is subjected to tension or settlement, the cracks tend to follow the mortar joints rather than break through the bricks themselves. The result is a stepped pattern, like a staircase.
Stepped cracks are often more significant than straight horizontal cracks. They typically indicate movement at the footings rather than just shrinkage of the brickwork itself.
Width matters: cracks under 1mm are usually cosmetic. Cracks 1-3mm warrant monitoring. Cracks over 3mm or visible from inside through the wall need engineer assessment.