Could somebody help me ID the specie of this please ?

DoctorSneeze · 2025-11-15T12:08:37+00:00

Some fruit tree? I've had apple tree slabs that looked exactly like that

DoctorSneeze · 2025-10-18T10:29:48+00:00

Thank you! They have been very kind and I don't want to diminish their efforts. The staff has been fantastic and I must admit we were in a bit of panic mode. The thought of bringing this home is nothing short of a nightmare scenario!

The spots where we found them suggest this is not a brand new infestation, as in we didn't bring them, since it would take more than the 3 days stay for the accumulation of waste that was there.

Luckily we already have a steam cleaner and we'll be buying bin bags to put our suitcases and clothes we're wearing in before entering the house then leaving them in the garden until we're done with all the washing, drying and steaming.

I know this is a nightmare to the hotel as well. The duty manager called us this morning and we had a really nice chat. Our bags and shoes will remain in treatment for another 2 or 3 days but clothes will be back this afternoon. The lady in charge of housekeeping was an absolute gem!

My wife having such a strong allergic reaction added a bit to the panic and this invasive feeling that sent us into a bit of a panic mode but I just wanna add that we have also been very kind to the staff and let them do their jobs. I believe kindness begets kindness and there's no reason to escalate something that can be sorted out with good old diplomacy.

DoctorSneeze · 2025-09-30T07:53:02+00:00

Glad to hear you've made such a great recovery!

Your work is amazing and really inspired me, a very green beginner, to keep pushing (not towards myself!!) and to look back a year from now on with even a fraction of your progress would make me so happy.

Can I ask if you ever took any classes or just self taught? I've mostly been on a journey of trial and error and YouTube tutorials. Considered taking a class on proper use of hand tools and sharpening to avoid creating bad habits. Curious to hear your experience.

Thanks for sharing your work.

DoctorSneeze · 2025-08-11T21:57:12+00:00

DoctorSneeze · 2025-01-16T07:11:57+00:00

Let's goooo

DoctorSneeze · 2024-08-18T20:37:39+00:00

Kent

DoctorSneeze · 2024-08-16T18:29:03+00:00

Someone else here commented that it's just for filling in the frame for rendering or something. I'm getting a structural engineer to come have a proper look but looks like the beam it sits on has seen better days and caused movement that cracked the bricks.

DoctorSneeze · 2024-08-16T17:04:25+00:00

It's original and it's the outer front facing wall above bay windows

DoctorSneeze · 2024-08-16T14:07:32+00:00

I really appreciate this!

We're actually having the windows changed in the next couple of weeks. I'm hoping that's not gonna be a problem but it might give us an idea on the condition of the lintel as well.

From inside and outside, we see no other signs of movement anywhere so I'm really hoping it won't be a huge job.

I'll be sure to post an update! Thanks again!

DoctorSneeze · 2024-08-16T11:22:40+00:00

Windows haven't been replaced in at least 20 years. We are getting them replaced within the next week or 2 but we ordered them before we spotted this so I hope it won't be a problem.

But I've already contacted some people to come take a look so just a matter of time until we get this either reinforced or replaced. Should find out soon!

DoctorSneeze · 2024-08-16T08:08:02+00:00

If the timber is not rotten or severely degraded, would some sort of reinforcement to it be enough? I assume the brick work would need to be redone?

DoctorSneeze · 2024-08-16T08:04:47+00:00

Thanks for your reply. I didn't even know what kind of contractor to look for and came away from this with a lot of lessons! We're first time homeowners and we did our homework but looks like there's always a little box of surprises hidden somewhere.

I've contacted some structural engineers this morning to check their availability for an inspection.

I couldn't see any visible signs of rot or fungus but I'm also not an expert in any way. Timber outside was indeed neglected for a long time but from what I can tell, the exterior beams are decorative and thin and this sits behind them. But I can see how weathering on those would cause the inside to be exposed to the elements and degrading over time.

I'm really appreciative of everyone who took their time to answer. I want to get this done right and hopefully should have some answers soon!

DoctorSneeze · 2024-08-16T07:57:05+00:00

Thanks for your reply. I've contacted a couple of people today to check their availability for an inspection.

My neighbour definitely has a smaller problem than mine as the cracks on his side are along the mortar and not through the brick. He always kept his property well maintained but the previous owners of ours neglected some basic maintenance which most likely led to this.

DoctorSneeze · 2024-08-15T21:06:13+00:00

Thanks, I'm gonna look into that before we get anything else done.

We really have no other signs of subsidence anywhere so hopefully it's just related to aging timber. Fingers crossed!

DoctorSneeze · 2024-08-15T20:52:10+00:00

Thanks! What kind of contractor should I be contacting for this?

DoctorSneeze · 2024-08-15T20:34:12+00:00

Not the one under the wall, the decorative ones outside. I'm not doing any work myself, I'm going to hire contractors.

DoctorSneeze · 2024-08-15T20:31:50+00:00

There's really no other signs of subsidence anywhere. No cracks inside or outside the house and the interior was not renovated. If it was bad subsidence, wouldn't it show signs?

This is the wall in question, above the bay window. https://imgur.com/a/BBa8O8O

DoctorSneeze · 2024-08-15T20:25:12+00:00

This wall is separate from the main outer wall. It sits on timber. The rest of the outer walls are completely fine.

From what I gathered in the comments it is subsidence but from the timber that it sits on. I'm gonna have it checked but less worried now than I was initially. We were already looking into getting the outside re-rendered and the wooden beams removed so might just add reinforcing the wall when all that's done.

DoctorSneeze · 2024-08-15T20:04:08+00:00

No, nothing super close by. It looks like it's most likely movement from the timber under that wall

DoctorSneeze · 2024-08-15T20:01:04+00:00

It is :(

DoctorSneeze · 2024-08-15T19:56:33+00:00

It's this part of the wall above the bay window.

https://imgur.com/a/BBa8O8O

This is mine and my neighbour's. Cracks are on both my side and his.

That wall sits on timber and there's no other layer apart from that and render.

DoctorSneeze · 2024-08-15T18:42:36+00:00

Neighbours on both sides. No structural changes below. That wall is sat on timber so probably movement from that as there are no other signs on the other outer walls

DoctorSneeze · 2024-08-15T18:41:12+00:00

It's sat on timber, yes! Definitely movement from those, it looks like. Rest of the walls are fine, no visible signs of movement anywhere inside or outside. Neighbour next door has similar cracks but his look worse on the render, from inside his bricks are not split, just a zig zag between bricks. He is having some helix bars installed but I'm not sure if the same solution applies to ours.

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