Horizontal crack in foundation - found on home inspection

Posted by Barbara on October 25, 2006, 4:02 pm

Thanks Ken. I'm going to send them your post and let them decide. What
you said makes sense. It's all very daunting to a nonprofessional
especially when they start talking foundation problems.

I appreciate your help.

Barbara

Posted by tmurf.1@juno.com on October 25, 2006, 7:46 pm

Barbara wrote:

> Thanks Ken. I'm going to send them your post and let them decide. What
> you said makes sense. It's all very daunting to a nonprofessional
> especially when they start talking foundation problems.
> I appreciate your help.
> Barbara

The way I read your post it says one to two inches not a half inch.
That is much more significant. As a home inspector for twenty years I
would say two things. (1) You paid $800 for the home inspection??? Wow
I am not charging enough. (2) Get the advise of a professional
structural engineer.

Posted by kickstart on October 26, 2006, 7:17 am

. (2) Get the advise of a professional

> structural engineer.

too late , she already heard what she wanted to hear
kickstart

Posted by on October 26, 2006, 10:04 am

> > BarbaraWell yeaahh

> That's what the inspector told you to do isn't it ? and you paid for his
> opinion , yet you seek a free opinion, duh.
> Hope they didn't buy it yet

> kickstart

> . (2) Get the advise of a professional> structural engineer.too late , she

already heard what she wanted to hear

> kickstart

Not really sure why we need to be so condescending on these boards.
Not only does it show a lack of maturity and class it also discourages
others who may not be as "all knowing" as yourself from seeking advice.
Thus detracting from the purpose of these message boards in the first
place. In the future I suggest you rethink your postings prior to
actually posting them. Regardless of how "stupid" the question may be.
As for the content of this thread, I am the one that is looking at the
house in question and I do agree with what you're all saying. I have
always heard that horizontal foundation cracks are bad news, however
the main concern here was that this was not included in the disclosure,
and the owner had indicated that he was aware of it to the inspector.
The seller is a general contractor and has a lot of experience in these
matters so in the larger view it was thought that there may be more to
the story than meets the eye.
I can tell you that wall that has issues is not a load bearing wall, it
is under the front porch. The porch is concrete. There is evidence of
this same crack on the outside as well near the concrete steps. Again
only on the foundation wall that supports the porch, not the floor or
walls.

Currently as it stands the sellers are going to be bringing in a SE to
look at the wall. We are rethinking the deal, but currently were are
terminating the bid b/c of this.

I do appreciate your advice in these matters, your opinions matter and
we may reconsider based on what we are hearing here. Also the 800.00
price tag included dye testing of the septic tank, well test, radon
test, mold test and some other things. It was a thorough examination
of the property.

Thanks for the assist Barb...

Posted by kickstart on October 26, 2006, 1:14 pm

> Not really sure why we need to be so condescending on these boards.
> Not only does it show a lack of maturity and class it also discourages
> others who may not be as "all knowing" as yourself from seeking advice.
> Thus detracting from the purpose of these message boards in the first
> place. In the future I suggest you rethink your postings prior to
> actually posting them. Regardless of how "stupid" the question may be.
> Thanks for the assist Barb...

OK Ill put more effort into to this, just for you.
1. First of all the only "expert" that actually looked at this recommended
you get a professional opinion.
2. No one on this list has seen this crack first hand.
Some even misinterpreted 1-2" as 1/2".
3. Some, if not most people that inquire here and others in person, Ask the
opinion of "experts" until they hear the answer they are looking for.
Don't expect the final answer from any list that your repliers may or not
know what they are talking about, let alone have not even seen your problem
first hand.
Also local conditions have allot to do with whether or not a problem is as
serious where you live vs. where I live. We don't even know where you are,
another variable to consider.
I live in the land of sand and sinkholes, I take foundation crack seriously.
You may live on a solid rock and it is merely a settlement or stress crack
that has no chance of ever moving again.
The best advice was given to you by the person who actually inspected the
home first hand. Your Mother in law answered the poster that said gave the
answer SHE wanted to hear.
Good luck, I hope everything works out for the best.
caveat emptor
kickstart

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Horizontal crack in foundation - found on home inspection - Page 2