We are due to close on a new construction home on 24 June. Therefore, I am still a few weeks out from a home inspection. As I am doing my own walk-around, I noticed a long vertical crack in the mortar outside a bay window. That vertical crack does invade one brick (see 3rd photo), thus cracking the mortar around it. In my amateur opinion, because it is a long, vertical crack, it seems to have developed from settling. Perhaps that is wishful thinking on my part. But, I’d like to hear what you, as professionals, have to say about it. I did take photos and video of it to show to my home inspector (if that even matters) in case they seal it prior to the home inspection. Please view attached photos, and thank you in advance for your professional advice.
The guttering is not yet finished. I actually thought they would run the downspout over that crack/corner- like I have seen on a few others in the neighborhood.
That wall is not 90 degrees, so the brick would have to be mitered on that corner. Shrinkage and slight movement of the wall caused this (probably frame wall). Sealing (expansion polyurethane caulk) or re-pointing is needed. Horizontal wall ties in the corner would help also.
Here is a photo of where I dug out the dirt beneath the crack. I could not get too far down because of some septic lines. I did not notice any further cracking downward. I hope that points away from a foundation issue:
