The Big Crack!

January 10, 2007 10:07am
HOMEOWNERS should water their houses, not their gardens, as the big dry causes them to crack up.
With water restrictions affecting most capitals, more than 35 per cent of houses in most states were experiencing cracking as the ground dried out, a survey of 75,000 homes around the country found.
"When the soil dries out, strain is put on the house structure and cracks can appear overnight," Archicentre general manager David Hallett said.
Archicentre is a building advisory service.
Returning moisture to the soil could allow cracks up to 5mm wide in brick walls to close up, Mr Hallett said.
"We may see people with cracks in their homes strategically watering their homes with buckets of water recycled from the shower," he said.
According to the research, South Australia was the worst affected state, with 48 per cent of surveyed houses cracking.
In Tasmania, 45 per cent of homes were affected, 38 per cent in Victoria, 36 per cent in NSW and WA, and 18 per cent in Queensland.
Mr Hallett said homeowners should not panic if they saw cracks in their house but should monitor them and seek professional advice before undertaking major structural work.
Archicentre expected a rise of 10 to 15 per cent in the number of Melbourne houses developing cracks if the city moves to stage four water restrictions in April, as expected, Mr Hallett said.
HRH is pleased to announce that at this stage both Castles are in tact!