Crack monitoring baseline report
The first visit in a crack monitoring programme, where we install monitors and record the starting position of each crack.
About this service
Crack monitoring answers a simple question that a single visit cannot: is the crack still moving? The baseline visit is where that starts. We choose which cracks to monitor, fix precise monitoring points across each one and record their starting positions. Every later reading is compared with this baseline, so its accuracy and the care taken in choosing the points shape everything that follows.
Monitoring is often recommended when a crack's cause is unclear, when an insurer wants evidence before agreeing a repair, or when the right fix depends on whether movement is seasonal or progressive. On London Clay, many cracks open in late summer and close again in winter. Others, caused by leaking drains or failing lintels, keep widening. Only readings over time separate the two with confidence.
We install stainless steel studs or tell-tale gauges across selected cracks, take baseline measurements and photographs, and record crack widths, lengths and patterns in a short report. It also proposes how often readings should be taken and for how long. Like every inspection report we issue, it is signed off by a chartered engineer who is a Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers (MICE). Fees start from £450 + VAT.
When you need it
- You need to know whether cracks are still moving
- An insurer or engineer has recommended monitoring
- You want evidence before deciding on repairs
What's included
- Selection of cracks to monitor
- Installation of monitoring studs or gauges
- Baseline readings and photographs
How it works
- Review the crackingWe look at the full crack pattern inside and out to understand the likely movement mechanism, then select the cracks that will tell the story most clearly, rather than monitoring every hairline.
- Install monitorsWe fix studs or gauges at each chosen crack, positioned so they measure the opening and any shear or vertical movement, and mark them clearly so later readings are taken consistently.
- Record the baselineWe take precise first readings, photograph each point with a scale, and note the date, weather and recent rainfall, because all of these help interpret changes later in the programme.
- Set the programmeWe recommend reading intervals and a likely duration, often spanning both a dry and a wet season, and issue a baseline report that becomes the reference for every later visit.
What you receive
Why the start date and monitor placement matter
Clay movement follows the seasons, so when monitoring begins affects what you can learn quickly. Starting in late spring captures the summer drying and autumn recovery within one cycle. Starting in midwinter may show little change for months. A programme typically needs readings across both dry and wet periods before a firm conclusion is possible. Our guide to house cracks explains which patterns usually need monitoring and which do not.
Placement matters just as much. A monitor across the wrong crack, or one installed where decorators will paint over it, wastes months of readings. We avoid places likely to be disturbed and protect external points from damage. If the cause of movement is not yet known, a structural movement investigation report is often done first, with monitoring set up during the same visit. Later readings are covered by the interim crack monitoring report.
Projects that used this service
Frequently asked questions
How long does crack monitoring take?
A typical programme runs for several months and often a year, so readings cover both the dry summer period and the wetter winter months. Shorter programmes can be enough if the question is narrow, such as whether a crack is still active after a repair. The baseline report recommends a duration and reading frequency for your situation.
What is a tell-tale crack monitor?
A tell-tale is a small plastic gauge with two overlapping plates fixed either side of a crack. As the crack moves, the plates slide and a cursor shows the change against a grid. They are simple and visible. Precise studs read with a calliper are often used alongside or instead, as they measure smaller movements more accurately.
Can I take the crack readings myself?
Homeowners can read simple tell-tales and note changes, which is useful between visits. For evidence an insurer, buyer or lender will rely on, readings should be taken by an engineer using consistent equipment and method, and recorded with dates and photographs. Mixed readings from different people can make trends harder to interpret.
Should I fill or redecorate cracks during monitoring?
It is best not to. Filling or painting over cracks hides any new movement and can damage monitoring points. If a crack is letting in water or causing a draught, a temporary flexible seal is fine, but leave the monitors exposed and tell us before any decorating so we can advise.