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Free Encyclopedia of Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, Repair | Ask a Question or Search InspectAPedia |
 Mobile ViewSTRUCTURAL INSPECTIONS & DEFECTS ADVANCED INSPECTION METHODS AGE of a BUILDING - how to determine ARCHITECTURE & BUILDING COMPONENT ID BARK SIDE DOWN on DECKS, TRIM, STEPS BASEMENT WATERPROOFING BEST CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES GUIDE BRICK FOUNDATIONS & WALLS BRICK STRUCTURAL WALL Loose Bulged Brick Thermal Expansion Cracking BRICK VENEER WALL Loose, Bulged BRICK WALL DRAINAGE WEEP HOLES BUCKLED FOUNDATIONS due to INSULATION? BUILDING SAFETY HAZARDS GUIDE BUILDING SETTLEMENT CHIMNEY CHASE Construction & Defects CHIMNEY INSPECTION DIAGNOSIS REPAIR COLUMNS & POSTS, DEFECTS CONCRETE FOUNDATIONS CONCRETE FOUNDATIONS, PRE-CAST Cracks, Checking or Splitting Beams & Log Homes CRAWL SPACES DECK & PORCH CONSTRUCTION Deck Construction Best Practices DECK COLLAPSE Case Study DECK FINISHES COATINGS PRESERVATIVES DECK FLASHING LEAKS, ROT Case Study DECKS, ROOFTOP CONSTRUCTION DEBRIS STAINING on ROOFS DEFINITIONS of Mobile Home, Doublewide, Modular, Panelized DEFINITIONS of ENGINEERED WOOD OSB LVL etc DEW POINT CALCULATION for WALLS DEW POINT TABLE - CONDENSATION POINT GUIDE DISASTER BUILDING INSPECTION & REPAIR SAFEY EARTHQUAKE DAMAGED FOUNDATIONS ENERGY SAVINGS in BUILDINGS ENGINEERED WOOD Flooring ENGINEERED WOOD Products FIRE DAMAGE vs MOLD DAMAGE FLOOD DAMAGE ASSESSMENT, SAFETY & CLEANUP FLOODS IN BUILDINGS-mold FLOOR, ENGINEERED WOOD & LAMINATES FLOOR FRAMING & SUBFLOOR for TILE FLOOR TYPES & DEFECTS FLOOR TILE ASBESTOS IDENTIFICATION FLOOR TILE HISTORY & INGREDIENTS FOOTING & FOUNDATION DRAINS FOOTINGS EXPOSED, Repair Methods FOUNDATION BULGE or LEAN MEASUREMENTS FOUNDATION CONSTRUCTION TYPES FOUNDATION CONTRACTORS, ENGINEERS FOOTING & FOUNDATION DRAINS FOOTINGS EXPOSED, Repair Methods FOUNDATION CRACKS & DAMAGE GUIDE BRICK FOUNDATIONS & WALLS BUCKLED FOUNDATIONS due to INSULATION? CRAWL SPACES EARTHQUAKE DAMAGED FOUNDATIONS FOUNDATION CONSTRUCTION TYPES FOUNDATION INSPECTION METHODS FOUNDATION FAILURES by TYPE & MATERIAL FOUNDATION FAILURES by MOVEMENT TYPE FLOOD DAMAGE TO FOUNDATIONS FOUNDATION DEFECTS OF OMISSION FOUNDATION CRACK EVALUATION FOUNDATION BULGE or LEAN MEASUREMENTS FOUNDATION DAMAGE REPORTS FOUNDATION DAMAGE SEVERITY FOUNDATION INSPECTION STANDARDS FOUNDATION MOVEMENT ACTIVE vs. STATIC FOUNDATION REPAIR METHODS PIER or PILE FOUNDATIONS SITE FACTORS AFFECTING FOUNDATIONS SLAB CRACK EVALUATION SLAB CRACK REPAIR FOUNDATION DEFECTS OF OMISSION - MISSING FOUNDATION FAILURES by TYPE & MATERIAL BLOCK FOUNDATION & WALL DEFECTS BRICK FOUNDATION & WALL DEFECTS BRICK STRUCTURAL WALLS Loose, Bulged Brick Thermal Expansion Cracking BRICK VENEER WALL Loose, Bulged BRICK WALL DRAINAGE WEEP HOLES CONCRETE FOUNDATION, WALL, SLAB DEFECTS CONCRETE PRE-CAST FOUNDATION DEFECTS STONE FOUNDATION DEFECTS WOOD FOUNDATION DEFECTS FOUNDATION FAILURES by MOVEMENT TYPE BRICK FOUNDATIONS & WALLS BUCKLED FOUNDATIONS due to INSULATION? BULGED vs. LEANING FOUNDATIONS COMBINATIONS OF FOUNDATION MOVEMENT HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT IN FOUNDATIONS SETTLEMENT IN FOUNDATIONS SHRINKAGE CRACKS in CONCRETE VERTICAL MOVEMENT IN FOUNDATIONS FOUNDATION INSPECTION METHODS FOUNDATION INSULATION OPTIONS FOUNDATION MATERIALS, Age, Types FOUNDATION REPAIR METHODS Bulged foundation Repairs Crack Repair Methods FOOTINGS EXPOSED, Repair Methods Horizontal Movement Repairs Seal Cracks by Polyurethane Foam Injection Seal Cracks in Concrete, How To Shrinkage Crack Repairs SLAB CRACK REPAIR Vertical Foundation Movement Repairs FOUNDATION SETTLEMENT FOUNDATION WATERPROOFING FRAMING DAMAGE, INSPECTION, REPAIR FRAMING DETAILS for BETTER INSULATION FRAMING DETAILS for DOUBLE WALL HOUSES FRAMING CONNECTORS & JOIST HANGERS FRAMING FASTENERS, NAILS, SCREWS, & HIDDEN FRAMING & SUBFLOOR for TILE FRAMING MATERIALS, Age, Types FRAMING METAL STUD PERFORMANCE FRAMING METHODS, Age, Types FRAMING SIZE & Spacing, Age, Types FRAMING TABLES, SPANS for DECKS FRENCH DRAINS FROST HEAVES, FOUNDATION, SLAB FRT PLYWOOD GALVANIC SCALE & METAL CORROSION GLUES ADHESIVES, EXTERIOR CONSTRUCTION GRADING & SITE WORK, EXTERIOR GUTTERS & DOWNSPOUTS HOUSE PARTS, DEFINITIONS HOUSEWRAP INSTALLATION DETAILS ICE DAM PREVENTION I-JOISTS, Wood Roof Floor INSULATION IDENTIFICATION GUIDE INSULATION INSPECTION & IMPROVEMENT LEAD POISONING HAZARDS GUIDE LEED GREEN BUILDING CERTIFICATION LOG HOME GUIDE LVL Laminated Veneer Lumber, Beams MOBILE HOMES, DOUBLEWIDES, TRAILERS MODULAR HOME CONSTRUCTION MOISTURE CONTROL in BUILDINGS NOISE / SOUND DIAGNOSIS & CURE OSB - Oriented Strand Board PANELIZED CONSTRUCTION PLASTER BULGES & PILLOWS PLASTER, LOOSE FALL HAZARDS PLYWOOD Roof, Wall, Floor Decks & Sheathing PORCH CONSTRUCTION & SCREENING PRE-CUT & KIT HOMES Preservative-Treated Framing Lumber RAILINGS, DECK & PORCH RAILINGS, STAIRWAY RETAINING WALL DESIGNS, TYPES, DAMAGE RETAINING WALL GUARD RAILINGS ROT, FUNGUS, TERMITES ROT, TIMBER FRAME SEARS KIT HOUSES SEPTIC & CESSPOOL SAFETY SHEATHING, FIBERBOARD SHEATHING, Gypsum board SHEATHING Homasote & Other Board SHEATHING, OSB SHEATHING, Plywood SHEATHING, FOIL FACED - VENTS SIDING, Sheathing Identification - Photo Guide SINKHOLES, WARNING SIGNS SINKING BUILDINGS SLAB CRACK EVALUATION Control Joint Cracks in Concrete Freezing & Water Damage Frost Heave/Expansive Soil Cracks in Slabs Settlement Cracks in Slabs Settlement Cracks vs. Frost Heaves Settlement Cracks vs. Shrinkage Cracks Shrinkage Cracks in Slabs Shrinkage Cracks Along Foundation Walls SLAB CRACK REPAIR SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS Splits in Structural Wood Beams STAIN & BIODETERIORATION AGENT CATALOG STAINS on BUILDINGS - QUICK GUIDE STAIN DIAGNOSIS on BUILDING EXTERIORS STAIRS, RAILINGS, LANDINGS, RAMPS STONE CLEANING METHODS STONE FOUNDATIONS STONE VENEER WALLS STRAW BALE CONSTRUCTION STRESS SKIN INSULATED PANELS STUCCO WAll FAILURES DUE TO WEATHER STUCCO WALL METHODS & INSTALLATION STUCCO OVER FOAM INSULATION STUCCO PAINT FAILURES SUMP PUMPS GUIDE SWEATING (CONDENSATION) on PIPES, TANKS TERMITES, ROT THERMAL EXPANSION of MATERIALS THERMAL MASS in BUILDINGS TRUSS UPLIFT, ROOF TRUSSES, Floor & Roof VAPOR BARRIERS & CONDENSATION in BUILDINGS VENTILATION in buildings VINYL Siding or PLASTIC Window ODORS in buildings VINYL CHLORIDE HEALTH INFO WATER BARRIERS, EXTERIOR BUILDING WATER ENTRY in BUILDINGS WIND ENERGY SYSTEMS WIND TURBINES & LIGHTNING WIND WASHING INSULATION At EAVES WINDOWS & DOORS, Age, Types WINTERIZE A BUILDING WOOD FOUNDATIONS More Information |
This document discusses how to choose a foundation crack diagnostic engineer or contractor, how to choose a foundation repair expert, and how the expert will evaluate building foundation damage. CONTACT us by email to suggest content corrections or additions. This article series describes how to evaluate and repair foundation damage. Types of foundation cracks, crack patterns, differences in the meaning of cracks in different foundation materials, site conditions, building history, and other evidence of building movement and damage are described to assist in recognizing foundation defects and to help the inspector separate cosmetic or low-risk conditions from those likely to be important and potentially costly to repair. © Copyright 2012 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use page top links to major topics or use links at the left of each page to navigate within topics and documents at this website. Green links show where you are in a document series or at this website. 4 Different Contractors, 4 Different Opinions about Foundation Cracks: Who's Correct?Question: I've now asked four foundation contractors and gotten very different opinionsSketch of differential settlement (below left) is provided courtesy of Carson Dunlop Associates.
A few weeks ago, I noticed a new, very thin horizontal crack. After researching it, I realized it goes almost the full length of the house. It wavers up and down a little, but is mostly a little above grade and near the middle of the wall. Next to this wall is an unused driveway (it's actually too small for a car...so it really hasn't been used). I've now seen 4 contractors and gotten very different opinions.
I'm kinda at my wits end with time and money and appreciate any advice. Best, - BL Reply: We need to know the type of foundation movement, its cause, and its impact on structure to decide on urgency and type of foundation repair neededA competent onsite inspection by an expert who is familiar with the causes and cures of foundation damage usually finds additional clues that help accurately diagnose a problem beyond what would occur to a homeowner to describe in email. Put another way, we cannot reliably diagnose the cause, nor evaluate the significance of a crack by email text description, though knowing the type of foundation material, site characteristics, drainage issues, and seeing some photos, measurements, and building history would help. That said, here are some things to consider:
The urgency of foundation repair depends on several factors such as
A foundation expert may also consider: The foundation materials: what was used. For example, a crack in steel-reinforced poured concrete foundations has different implications from the same crack size, shape, location, pattern in a masonry block foundation. For non-trivial foundation damage, the inspector, engineer, or contractor may want to identify the building foundation construction type, materials, sequence of construction - the history of the site, the foundation itself, and its construction details. See FOUNDATION CONSTRUCTION TYPES. Site factors affecting the structure such as slope, drainage, rock, or nearby activities such as blasting. See SITE FACTORS AFFECTING FOUNDATIONS. The construction type, materials, sequence of construction - the history of the site, the foundation, and its construction details. See FOUNDATION CONSTRUCTION TYPES. First Identify Severe or Dangerous Foundation Damage - collapse riskWatch out: As we introduce at our home page for this topic, FOUNDATION CRACKS & DAMAGE GUIDE, since certain masonry structure defects, such as even slightly-bulged structural brick masonry walls (above or below ground level - BRICK FOUNDATIONS & WALLS) or severely bulged below-ground masonry block or stone foundations, (BULGED vs. LEANING FOUNDATIONS) can lead to sudden precipitous and catastrophic building collapse, dangerous conditions may be present at some properties. While there are often hidden conditions which can disguise building conditions, the ability to recognize those potentially urgent or dangerous conditions which can be detected is important in a foundation inspection. Get the Details that Support the Contractor's OpinionWatch out also and avoid or at least defer non-urgent repairs that may be unnecessarily costly in comparison with the impact of the crack on the structure or that fail to first identify and understand the cause of the foundation cracking and second to evaluate and understand its impact on the structure. Some fellows who work in construction are very experienced, knowledgeable, and honest, but they were not English majors in school. You have to ask to hear more of the contractor's reasoning before you'll be comfortable with an answer like "Nah, don't worry about it!" much less "Yeaaah, this is a big problem and needs a big expensive repair." Make a Thorough and Technically Accurate Foundation InspectionIn addition to the outline of how we approach foundation inspection found (described beginning at FOUNDATION INSPECTION METHODS), here is some basic advice about how to evaluate foundation damage: If it is not apparent that a major problem exists (see our Watch out: warnings throughout this website) it's ok to start with a contractor. Any building inspector, building contractor, masonry repair contractor, or carpenter needs to be able to recognize when additional expert evaluation or repair is needed by a foundation or structural engineer or foundation repair specialist. See
Ask for a Foundation Inspection ReportEvaluate the information which has been collected (history, observations, clues), visual evidence of their impact on the structure, and their importance. When the foundation expert you are consulting suggests that costly or dangerous conditions exist, it is important that you have an accurate understanding of the problem and that the repair is appropriate. A professional foundation inspector, engineer, architect, or contractor should be able to communicate her/his observations and recommendations to the client with clarity so that the client understands the implications of the findings and the need for action (if any). See FOUNDATION DAMAGE REPORTS for details. Choose a Qualified Foundation ExpertFor costly or potentially dangerous foundation damage, be sure that your "expert" really is one. A civil engineer or structural engineer who is specifically experienced in building foundation diagnosis and repair can give reliable and often economical advice on what foundation repair is needed. So can some experienced foundation repair contractors. Foundation Damage RepairsDepending on the condition of the foundation system, repairs may be needed, and in emergency cases such as the threat of imminent collapse, other measures such as installation of temporary foundation support, or even evacuating an unsafe structure and keeping people away from it could be in order. An example is the discovery of a bulged structural brick wall - a condition that can cause sudden catastrophic building collapse. See FOUNDATION REPAIR METHODS Watch out for "foundation experts" who don't know foundations: OPINION-DF: even licensed professional engineers or architects who do not have specific experience and training in building foundations. Those experts can often design a repair that will be "safe" and "work" but we have found that some who are not familiar with foundations are not aware of repair products and procedures specifically designed for these problems. The result can be "overkill" or a foundation repair design that was more complex, more disruptive, and more expensive than necessary. At Vertical Foundation Movement Repairs we mention a case where just this problem occurred at a home built over a landfill. Questions & Answers regarding this article. Ask a Question or Search InspectAPediaHTML Comment Box is loading comments...
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