It depends on width, location, and whether the crack is growing. In North Carolina, hairline stair-step cracks under 1/8" that don't change over 6-12 months are typically cosmetic settlement of the brick veneer. Cracks wider than 1/8", cracks that grow visibly, cracks with horizontal displacement, and cracks near corners or above openings warrant a PE evaluation because they suggest foundation movement or lintel failure behind the veneer.
It depends on width, location, and whether the crack is growing. In North Carolina, hairline stair-step cracks under 1/8" that don't change over 6-12 months are typically cosmetic settlement of the brick veneer. Cracks wider than 1/8", cracks that grow visibly, cracks with horizontal displacement, and cracks near corners or above openings warrant a PE evaluation because they suggest foundation movement or lintel failure behind the veneer.
Width: under 1/16" is almost always cosmetic; 1/16" to 1/8" is worth marking and monitoring; over 1/8" and any displacement in or out of the wall plane deserves a PE look.
Location: cracks at building corners, above windows and doors, and near where an addition meets the original structure are more likely to indicate a real load or foundation issue than cracks in the middle of a large blank wall.
Growth: mark each end with a pencil line and date, photograph with a coin for scale, and check again in 3-6 months. Active growth flips a 'monitor' into an 'evaluate.'
Piedmont clay soil movement, poor perimeter drainage, and undersized or corroded steel lintels above windows are the three most common causes of brick veneer cracking on Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill homes. Each has a different repair path, and the PE report tells you which one you're dealing with before you spend on masonry work.