Realize that there are quite a few nice, helpful,

knowledgeable people on this thread, so decided to give you guys a try with my problem and who should I get to look at it.I'm in a stucco type house, on a concrete block, half basement.The section slopes a bit and house is just over 50 years old.There have always been the odd crack in the top coating of the paint work, but lately I am seeing more and more of these.They can run the whole vertical length of the wall, from roof overhang (is it called the soffit!) right down to base of foundation wall.Also from the corners of the windows to basement or from corner up towards roof.On top of that I have now noticed that the concrete floor of the garage has moved away from the house wall about 15mm.There are also cracks coming on the other side of the house where the concrete path meets the house and where the concrete, back porch and steps meet the house.Inside we have had a wee bit of trouble with doors catching or doors not staying shut.Do know that a certain amount of wall cracking is to be expected in a house of this type/age and is only cosmetic paint work type of thing, but should I be worried about these new developements.Also would a builder be able to give me the needed advice!Thanks for reading my message.

Do your piles need attention!

This doesnt sound to good. How long has it been like this! A 50 year old house would normally settle slowly. Not suddenly after 50 years.
You are right about the odd crack being nothing to worry about but you seem to have heaps and the 15mm floor to wall gap is quite a lot.
You should get a builder to take a look for you

Subsidence. Get advice sooner rather than later.

Oh god. Subsidence. get it checked before it becomes major.
It won't be an easy fix.

OK the subsidence thing was what I was concerned about too.About 3 to 4 years ago the new neighbour on one side of my place started excavating his property, also had heavy machinery compacting the metal he laid, as well as the heavy road works vehicles doing the driveways both right beside my place and the one on the other side of his section.It was a little scary at the time because the whole house shock for quite long periods of time, even had things moving around on shelves ect.It was during this I first noticed a few extra cracks in the outside walls.Also since then I have noticed the house 'shudders' whenheavy vehicles reach 2 places on the road and more cracks ect have been noticed.Have always felt the house tremble when trains went down the line about 8 houses away from my place, but that has nearly always been there and never worried me.
This is the extra stress I really don't need right now.Looks like I need to find me a builder.Do you think they would charge heaps to have a look!Thank you all so much for your input.

Sounds like you need to ring your insurance assessor, not a builder.

Slight chance the neighbours could be liable for damage! Just a guess, but find out for sure, quick smart.

I would suggest you need a structural engineer to look at this,your insurance co. should be your first port of call. A house should not move significently after all that time without a good reason.It could also be related to drainage problems caused by defective drains. Good luck with the insurance co.

Yeah, especially when they say gradual damage, you're not covered.

I would speak first to my Insurance company so that they are kept in the picture but I agree that a structural engineer is what you need. Did you speak to your neighbour or take any action when his activities resulted in your walls cracking!

No mokaumoi, too scared to talk to this neighbour about anything he might or might not have done to my property.First time I ever had anything to do with him was when we were having a torrential downpour and he was down digging around my fence posts, when I went out to see why he informed me that the water was flooding on his property and he was going to remove the fence and tin I had up at that point (to stop his metal washing onto/through my place) and dig a chanel through my section to let the water run through.The tin didn't stop the water, just the metal and I informed him that as I had lived here for nearly 20 years and knew the situation well, that once the rain stopped give it a couple of hours and all he would have left was a muddy patch in the grassed area, so NO he wasn't removing the fence/tin on my property and certainly wasn't putting a digger onto my land.If he hadn't filled the drainage hole up with metal it wouldn't have flooded.Next time we crossed swords was when he was doing the excavation on his section and took the level down about 1 1/2 metres below my section level and I asked him when he was going to put up a retaining wall to stop my land from spilling into his place!That ended up with him threatening that if I went near a lawyer about it, in his words 'as he knows how to work the system' he would make sure it cost me so much I would end up losing my home to pay for it.Not something I want to face again in a hurry I can assure you.
So maybe I am the neighbour from hell, I have always tried my best to accomodate my neighbours and until this guy have had no problems, but since he bought the properties next door I seem to have on-going stress.If it doesn't effect my place I turn a blind eye to what he does, but cann't do that if I am going to suffer.He's had problems with a couple of the other neighbours, so maybe it isn't me.They are lucky enough not to be as close to him though.And yer I know I'm a wimp not fronting up to him!
Thanks again for all your help.Insurance company it is then.cringe.

By the way, sorry about the novel in my last post.

I would get an engineer to inspect it, tell the insurance company and ask them for advice. Don't go near the neighbour. Do it all asap.

Crap, if you were in Christchurch I would say its pretty normal due to the quakes! But sounds like subsidence with all the stuff going on next doors. Definately get onto your insurance, hopefully up your neck of the woods they will be really nice!

Thanks brightlights60.Not having anywhere near what you guys have had to suffer, but certainly you have all had and still have my utmost sympathy and support.Does give me a wee, tiny idea of what it must be like for you all.I just hope I am not over-reacting, but I have been totally honest on here and have tried my best to state it as it is.Tomorrow I am definatly in touch with my insurance company, so all fingers and toes crossed.Just thinking what a great Christmas present!

Yup, too right and thanks for the kind thoughts. My elderly Dad has a house on poles in one of the bays over on the Peninsula and a few years ago (hes a builder) discovered it was on the move. Totally repilled it (just due to the clay underneath) and was very pleased he did when the quakes hit. The house moves like nothing on earth, but not downhill anymore! Hopefully your insurance will come to the party.

Thanks again for your advice and support guys and gals.Insurance assessor will be coming out ! when they can I guess.Oh gosh all fingers and toes are crossed at present.Nice early Christmas present, but hey nothing compared to Christchurch and now Auckland.