House Foundation Crack Question

RHNewfie · 03-26-2009, 08:05 AM

Can anyone help me out with knowledge on what would cause your house foundation to crack? We had a lot of reno done in the basement after the fire and the basement was completely redone. Now we have a foundation crack... never had one before, have one now... Now, I say it happened from the demolition and rebuild in the beginning, but of course they will try to say it is not their fault...

Any info appreciated!!

Da Klugs · 03-26-2009, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RHNewfie

Can anyone help me out with knowledge on what would cause your house foundation to crack? We had a lot of reno done in the basement after the fire and the basement was completely redone. Now we have a foundation crack... never had one before, have one now... Now, I say it happened from the demolition and rebuild in the beginning, but of course they will try to say it is not their fault...

Any info appreciated!!

Had one in our house before we bought it. Waited till closing to make an issue of it. Got a few $$$ off. Per the building inspector, no big deal unless it grows. Marked it with a pencil. Same status 15 years later.

03-26-2009, 08:36 AM

Horizontal or vertical?

RHNewfie · 03-26-2009, 08:39 AM

Vertical and spreading the joy of water into the basement!!

It wasn't there before the fire, but appeared after the demo/reno... so I, of course, maintain that they caused it... waiting to see what kind of push-back I get...

13 months and counting trying to get this finished...

They are being nicer these days because I suspect they are trying to avoid legal action for incompetence!!

Da Klugs · 03-26-2009, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RHNewfie

Vertical and spreading the joy of water into the basement!!

It wasn't there before the fire, but appeared after the demo/reno... so I, of course, maintain that they caused it... waiting to see what kind of push-back I get...

13 months and counting trying to get this finished...

They are being nicer these days because I suspect they are trying to avoid legal action for incompetence!!

Water is a different issue. MIne is high up and dry. You have an issue there. Cinderblock or concrete?

RHNewfie · 03-26-2009, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Da Klugs

Water is a different issue. MIne is high up and dry. You have an issue there. Cinderblock or concrete?

Concrete... The fun never ends!

Bear · 03-26-2009, 09:17 AM

Hey Jeff, my sister just had a company inject something into her crack. It was a vertical one and there was a moisture problem that came with it as well.

(OK, I just re-read what I typed... I now feel dirty all over and will be right back after I take a bath in some bleach)

(OK, I'm back now)

Anyways, here's some info.http://www.thecrackdoctor.ca/repairs.htm

357 · 03-26-2009, 09:20 AM

Usually caused by poor drainage. I had this issue with an attached concrete porch. You can have it lifted and filled under by pros, but it's not cheap. Maybe worth it assuming you've already addressed any drainage issues.

03-26-2009, 08:44 AM

I'm no expert but have moved and bought a few house in my time.

I have been TOLD that vertical are not so bad. Horizontal means the house is "shifting". I have one of these in my house.

But my house is old like me.

I'm with Dave that it will be fine. For sure get it patched.

Will be interested to read what happens.

RHNewfie · 03-26-2009, 08:46 AM

Yeah... interesting. This has been a big dogpile from day one...

They started laying the 3rd hardwood floor yesterday (all the others were defective) and they weren't 100 feet in and I stopped the whole thing because the boards were improperly milled and not fitting correctly. Now they are tearing out what they had laid and I have to wait 2 days to get more stock, then let it acclimatize etc for 3 days... then blah blah blah!!!

I am about to blow a gasket...

Starchild · 03-26-2009, 08:49 AM

It sounds like the cracking is being caused by some new settlement of the foundation. During the remodel was there any excavation around the house? Could some of soil under the foundation been washed out by water associated with the fire? Any major structural modifications to the story above the crack?

RHNewfie · 03-26-2009, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starchild

It sounds like the cracking is being caused by some new settlement of the foundation. During the remodel was there any excavation around the house? Could some of soil under the foundation been washed out by water associated with the fire? Any major structural modifications to the story above the crack?

Nope, no digging and no stuctural mods. I am wondering if it may have been caused by a heat/humidity issue that we had here during the summer when they were doing the work. It was so hot and humid in the house (the A/C was out) that the first hardwood floor they put in warped and split.

03-26-2009, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starchild

It sounds like the cracking is being caused by some new settlement of the foundation. During the remodel was there any excavation around the house? Could some of soil under the foundation been washed out by water associated with the fire? Any major structural modifications to the story above the crack?

Been there done this and it is a friggin headache. I know more about this than I wanted to know. First off the brother here makes a valid point because under the foundation is something that is hard to check but you can check all around the foundation but you will have to trench to make sure. Ground settles all around the foundation and if there is some heavy rains ( water table ) saturation of the ground will enhance water and wash out begins. As foundation is washed away water replaces it and you will get hydrostatic pressure,,,,water coming up through the foundation where it is cracked or not sealed. Read this link as it will help you with the questions you have:
http://www.statefarm.com/learning/lo...etbaselong.asp

68TriShield · 03-27-2009, 08:40 AM

Jeff,I just talked to Ron. He asked that I relay to you that his internet went out and is supposed to be repaired tomorrow.
At which point he will get back to you

RHNewfie · 03-27-2009, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 68TriShield

Jeff,I just talked to Ron. He asked that I relay to you that his internet went out and is supposed to be repaired tomorrow.
At which point he will get back to you

Thanks Dave! If you are talking to him again you can tell him that the repair crew is coming tomorrow morning. The plan is to drill plug holes inside and run some kind of filler in from the bottom up.

Thanks again!

RGD. · 03-26-2009, 09:21 AM

Nothing directed at you - just using your post:

Quote:

I'm no expert . . .

I am - certified structural foundation repairs is what I do.

Quote:

I have been TOLD that vertical are not so bad. Horizontal means the house is "shifting". I have one of these in my house.

Vertical and horizontal cracks are both bad - depending on the nature and type. Houses are not designed to shift - and cracks are most normally caused by movement.

Quote:

I'm with Dave that it will be fine. For sure get it patched.

Will be interested to read what happens.

Do not just get it patched - especially until you know what the problem is.

First thing - take some pictures of the wall from a distance, close up and of the outside standing away from the house. Send them to me.

Need the age of the home, type of construction (block, poured walls, etc). Do you have a sump pump system? When did the water start. More detail on weather conditions for the past few years - i.e. normally rain, excessive heat or cold, etc.

How long ago was the fire? Size of fire as in did the fire department use a boat load of water.

Where is your sewer line in conjunction to crack.

Kind of soils you have there - clay, sands, silts, rock, etc etc.

Let me know that stuff and I can give you the most likely causes and then which type of companies to contact to get it fixed.

Ron

RHNewfie · 03-26-2009, 09:30 AM

Let's see...

The fire was a year ago in Feb 2008.
You can't see the foundation from the outside, the crack is only visible from the inside.
Outside is pretty much clay
House is about 9 years old
Foundation is poured concrete
Yes I have a sump-pump
Water started a few months ago
Weather conditions have been pretty standard average rain, nothing we are not used to.
There is a drainage problem in the neighborhood, nothing that has caused a problem.
We did have some temperature/humidity issues in the house while they were doing the reno. We have some high temps and humidity here in the summer and the A/C was out for a couple of months. It got so hot in the house that the hardwood floor warped and split.

I have attached a pic but I only have my cell right now so it is a bit crappy.

RGD. · 03-26-2009, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RHNewfie

Let's see...

The fire was a year ago in Feb 2008.
You can't see the foundation from the outside, the crack is only visible from the inside.
Outside is pretty much clay
House is about 9 years old
Foundation is poured concrete
Yes I have a sump-pump
Water started a few months ago
Weather conditions have been pretty standard average rain, nothing we are not used to.
There is a drainage problem in the neighborhood, nothing that has caused a problem.
We did have some temperature/humidity issues in the house while they were doing the reno. We have some high temps and humidity here in the summer and the A/C was out for a couple of months. It got so hot in the house that the hardwood floor warped and split.

I have attached a pic but I only have my cell right now so it is a bit crappy.

Okay - couple more questions: Does the sump pump run at what you would call normal - i.e. it normally only runs after a good rain - or does it run when you not had any rain.

I don't need to see the crack on the outside picture - I need to see the lay of the land, downspouts, porch etc.

What kind of drainage problem in the neighborhood is going on?

I do need better pictures of the crack - close up and distance showing the whole wall - but tell me this: looking at the crack - does it appear to be the same size from top to bottom? Or is it smaller on one end, larger on the other. If so - which end is smaller - top or bottom. And does the crack extend the full length of the wall -

Ron

RHNewfie · 03-26-2009, 10:11 AM

In the neighborhood water seems to pool on everyones front line by the street.

It appears to be the same size from top to bottom, I will know the length of it this afternoon.

There is a downspout on the back corner of the house that runs to a pipe underground that then runs out to the street, but follows along beside the house where the crack is.

I will work on getting an outside picture.

RHNewfie · 03-26-2009, 10:27 AM

Another...

03-26-2009, 08:05 AM	#1
RHNewfie Have My Own Room Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Jeff Location: Oooooh Canadaaaaa Posts: 2,007 Trading: (15)	House Foundation Crack Question Can anyone help me out with knowledge on what would cause your house foundation to crack? We had a lot of reno done in the basement after the fire and the basement was completely redone. Now we have a foundation crack... never had one before, have one now... Now, I say it happened from the demolition and rebuild in the beginning, but of course they will try to say it is not their fault... Any info appreciated!! __________________ σπένδομαι

03-26-2009, 08:36 AM	#3
ahc4353 Guest Posts: n/a	Re: House Foundation Crack Question Horizontal or vertical?

03-26-2009, 08:39 AM	#4
RHNewfie Have My Own Room Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Jeff Location: Oooooh Canadaaaaa Posts: 2,007 Trading: (15)	Re: House Foundation Crack Question Vertical and spreading the joy of water into the basement!! It wasn't there before the fire, but appeared after the demo/reno... so I, of course, maintain that they caused it... waiting to see what kind of push-back I get... 13 months and counting trying to get this finished... They are being nicer these days because I suspect they are trying to avoid legal action for incompetence!! __________________ σπένδομαι

03-26-2009, 09:17 AM	#7
Bear Just an other FNG Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Marc Location: Ajax, Ontario. Posts: 393 Trading: (4)	Re: House Foundation Crack Question Hey Jeff, my sister just had a company inject something into her crack. It was a vertical one and there was a moisture problem that came with it as well. (OK, I just re-read what I typed... I now feel dirty all over and will be right back after I take a bath in some bleach) (OK, I'm back now) Anyways, here's some info.http://www.thecrackdoctor.ca/repairs.htm __________________ Canadian Roll Call

03-26-2009, 09:20 AM	#8
357 Will herf for food Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Mike Location: Home is where I park it Posts: 4,075 Trading: (9)	Re: House Foundation Crack Question Usually caused by poor drainage. I had this issue with an attached concrete porch. You can have it lifted and filled under by pros, but it's not cheap. Maybe worth it assuming you've already addressed any drainage issues. __________________ “Eating and sleeping are the only activities that should be allowed to interrupt a man's enjoyment of his cigar;” Mark Twain

03-26-2009, 08:44 AM	#9
ahc4353 Guest Posts: n/a	Re: House Foundation Crack Question I'm no expert but have moved and bought a few house in my time. I have been TOLD that vertical are not so bad. Horizontal means the house is "shifting". I have one of these in my house. But my house is old like me. I'm with Dave that it will be fine. For sure get it patched. Will be interested to read what happens.

03-26-2009, 08:46 AM	#10
RHNewfie Have My Own Room Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Jeff Location: Oooooh Canadaaaaa Posts: 2,007 Trading: (15)	Re: House Foundation Crack Question Yeah... interesting. This has been a big dogpile from day one... They started laying the 3rd hardwood floor yesterday (all the others were defective) and they weren't 100 feet in and I stopped the whole thing because the boards were improperly milled and not fitting correctly. Now they are tearing out what they had laid and I have to wait 2 days to get more stock, then let it acclimatize etc for 3 days... then blah blah blah!!! I am about to blow a gasket... __________________ σπένδομαι

03-26-2009, 08:49 AM	#11
Starchild SERENITY NOW! Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Andre Location: Fernandina Beach, Fl Posts: 553 Trading: (11)	Re: House Foundation Crack Question It sounds like the cracking is being caused by some new settlement of the foundation. During the remodel was there any excavation around the house? Could some of soil under the foundation been washed out by water associated with the fire? Any major structural modifications to the story above the crack? __________________ Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time - Steven Wright

03-27-2009, 08:40 AM	#14
68TriShield Got Torque? Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Dave Location: Maryland Posts: 7,194 Trading: (40)	Re: House Foundation Crack Question Jeff,I just talked to Ron. He asked that I relay to you that his internet went out and is supposed to be repaired tomorrow. At which point he will get back to you

03-26-2009, 10:11 AM	#19
RHNewfie Have My Own Room Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Jeff Location: Oooooh Canadaaaaa Posts: 2,007 Trading: (15)	Re: House Foundation Crack Question In the neighborhood water seems to pool on everyones front line by the street. It appears to be the same size from top to bottom, I will know the length of it this afternoon. There is a downspout on the back corner of the house that runs to a pipe underground that then runs out to the street, but follows along beside the house where the crack is. I will work on getting an outside picture. __________________ σπένδομαι