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Defect library

Structural defects in houses

Structural defects are serious whenever they appear, and they include cracking around openings, bowing walls and ground movement. Report any of these for a structural engineer to assess, since they go beyond a snagging inspection.

Updated 19 October 2026

SiteSnag’s library has 8 entries under structure, and 1 of them are marked as safety or critical items. They’re listed below with the most serious first. Each one gives the wording an inspector would put in a report and the trade that would fix it.

All 8 entries

  1. Removed wall / chimney breast unsupported

    Safety

    Wall or chimney breast removed without visible support. Check Building Regulations sign-off.

    Trade
    Structural engineer
    Reference
    None listed

  2. Structural crack to wall

    Major

    Crack wider than about 3 mm or tapering. Monitor and get a structural engineer to inspect.

    Trade
    Structural engineer
    Reference
    None listed

  3. Cracking around window / door openings

    Major

    Diagonal cracking from corners of openings. Investigate lintel and movement.

    Trade
    Structural engineer
    Reference
    None listed

  4. Lintel cracked / deflecting

    Major

    Lintel cracked, rusting or sagging. Structural engineer to inspect.

    Trade
    Structural engineer
    Reference
    None listed

  5. Wall bowing / leaning

    Major

    Wall bulges or leans out of plumb. Structural engineer to inspect.

    Trade
    Structural engineer
    Reference
    None listed

  6. Signs of subsidence / movement

    Major

    Cracking pattern, sticking doors or sloping floors suggest movement. Investigate.

    Trade
    Structural engineer
    Reference
    None listed

  7. Wall tie failure

    Major

    Horizontal cracking in mortar joints suggests wall tie corrosion. Specialist survey.

    Trade
    Specialist
    Reference
    None listed

  8. Floor sloping

    Moderate

    Floor slopes noticeably. Investigate structure.

    Trade
    Structural engineer
    Reference
    None listed

Using these in a report

In the SiteSnag app, starting to type a defect title in the camera brings up these entries. Picking one fills in the description, severity, trade and reference, and you can edit the wording or add your own defects to the library. Every snag then goes into the branded PDF report with its photos and a numbered pin on the floor plan.

For a room-by-room walk-round, use the new build snagging checklist, or go back to all defect categories.

Other categories

Previous: Stairs (6). Next: Timber & pests (8).