Basement Cracks in your New Home
February 20th, 2012 by Roger FrostA typical basement is constructed of a footing or footer that supports the basement walls and floor. The footing must rest on solid or undisturbed soil. The wall may be constructed of cement block, poured concrete, brick, stone or tile. In the past 80 years, most foundation walls have been constructed of cement block or poured concrete. The floor is poured concrete supported on the edges by the footing and in the center by compacted gravel.
These cracks, typically due to drying shrinkage, thermal movement or other causes usually are minor and result in few problems. More often than not, a foundation crack will widen over time and result in water seepage or possibly the loss of structural integrity. Foundation and slab cracks are not only an eyesore, but they may hinder the value of the home.
Cracks can be signs of an overload or excessive stress on a wall. As homes get older, cracks have a better chance of appearing. Excessive displacement, continuing movement, differential settlement and certain combinations of cracks are real problems we will discuss. The exception – those little hairline cracks that appear in floors and walls – often are caused by shrinkage and are not a concern since they are just cosmetic in nature.
Rod holes are created by the forming crew responsible for building your foundation wall. In order to hold the concrete forms together and to prevent bulging from the weight of wet concrete, 5/8″ rods are passed through the forms from one side to the other. After the concrete is poured, the forms are stripped off and the rods are removed leaving a 5/8″ hole passing right through your foundation wall. The holes are then patched with a dollop of hydraulic cement usually on the inside and the outside. But the middle is still one big air void!
There are three basic causes of seepage and cracks in basements. First, the original workmanship may be poor. Second, the house may have settled, causing cracks in either the floor or walls. Finally, water pressure from the outside may have built up and be forcing water through the walls.
Another area where water problems are commonly found is at the point where pipes penetrate the wall. To do this, a hole is left in the foundation so that the pipe can be placed through the wall. After the pipe has been fed through the wall, the contractor will often use a brittle and rigid hydraulic cement to close the opening from inside the basement. Hydraulic cement begins to cure in minutes so it is usually only pushed two to three inches into the wall. Vibration in the pipe, among other factors, will often compromise the seal of the cement and cracking it (resulting in the area to leak again).
Learn more about Barrie Professional Home Inspections. Stop by www.angusrealestateagents.info site where you can find out all aboutProfessional Angus Realtors and what they can do for you.
