Interim crack monitoring report
A follow-up visit during a monitoring programme to take readings and report on any movement since the last visit.
About this service
Interim visits are the working middle of a crack monitoring programme. At each one we return to the property, read every monitoring point installed at the baseline visit, and compare the results with all earlier readings. The interim report records those figures and gives a short commentary on what they show, so you know at each stage whether the cracks are steady, cycling with the seasons or getting steadily wider.
Consistency is what makes these readings valuable. Each point is read with the same equipment, in the same way, and recorded alongside the date and recent weather. Small changes measured in fractions of a millimetre can be meaningful when they build up in one direction over several visits. Equally, a crack that opens slightly in a dry spell and closes again after rain is behaving very differently from one that only ever opens.
Each interim report is concise, with a table of readings, a running comparison and a plain-English note on trends. If something unexpected appears, such as a sudden jump or new cracking, we tell you straight away rather than waiting for the end of the programme. Every report is signed off by a chartered engineer who is a Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers (MICE). Fees start from £350 + VAT per visit.
When you need it
- You're part-way through a crack monitoring programme
What's included
- Readings of all monitoring points
- Comparison with earlier readings
- Short commentary on any trends
How it works
- Scheduled visitWe attend at the interval agreed in the baseline report, timed where possible to capture seasonal change, and note recent weather, works or events at the property since the last visit.
- Read every pointWe read all studs and gauges using the same method as before, check that none have been disturbed, and look for any new cracks or changes in the existing crack pattern.
- Compare and plotNew readings are added to the record and compared with the baseline and earlier visits, showing net movement and whether the pattern is cyclical, steady or progressive.
- Short commentaryYou receive a brief report with the readings table, photographs where useful and our comment on trends, plus any change we recommend to the programme or immediate action needed.
What you receive
Reading the trend: seasonal cycling or progressive movement
On London Clay, a common pattern is cracks opening through late summer and early autumn as the clay dries, then closing through winter. Where the movement returns close to where it started, the building is cycling with the soil rather than moving progressively. Where each summer opens the crack further than the last, something is changing, often tree growth, a leaking drain or a shallow foundation reaching its limit. Our subsidence guide explains what typically drives each pattern.
Interim results can change the plan. Clear progressive movement may justify stopping the programme early and moving to investigation or repairs, such as a trial pit and foundation inspection or a drain survey. Very stable readings over a full cycle can allow an earlier close. Either way, the programme ends with a final crack monitoring and stability report that draws all the data together.
Frequently asked questions
How often should cracks be monitored?
Readings are often taken every one to three months, depending on how active the cracks are and what decision depends on them. More frequent readings may be useful where movement is suspected to be fast. The interval is set in the baseline report and can be adjusted as the data comes in.
What crack movement is considered significant?
There is no single threshold, because direction and pattern matter more than one figure. A crack that keeps opening by small amounts in the same direction across several visits is more significant than one that opens and closes by a larger amount each season. Interpretation should consider the building, the soil and the readings together.
What happens if monitoring shows the crack is getting worse?
We tell you promptly and recommend the next step, which may be investigating the cause, such as tree roots or a leaking drain, before the programme ends. Where safety is a concern we advise on immediate measures. Progressive movement does not always mean underpinning, as removing the cause is often enough.
Can an insurer use interim monitoring reports?
Yes. Insurers and their appointed engineers often ask for interim results while a claim is being assessed, and our reports are written so they can be shared. They give an independent, dated record of readings, which helps everyone agree on whether movement is ongoing and what the next step should be.