House foundation question with pics! - Page 1

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - House foundation question with pics!

Posted: 9/10/2017 11:10:31 PM EDT

My wife and I are moving. We found a house we love and that we can afford, but I'm worried about this crack in the foundation. House was built in 2001. The owners have lived there for 8 years and they say it has not grown since they bought it. My FIL knows the owners and they are great people. There is only the garage there, there is no basement near this spot. There are no cracks anywhere in the garage floor. Is this a one time.e settling issue or could this lead to a huge headache?

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Inside garage, you can see daylight, but there are no cracks in the garage floor.

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The pic is crooked, but the wall looks straight.

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Posted: 9/10/2017 11:25:14 PM EDT

[#1]

I would be very hesitant to buy that house. Too much risk IMO.

Posted: 9/10/2017 11:37:31 PM EDT

[#2]

Run don't walk away.

Posted: 9/10/2017 11:48:30 PM EDT

[#3]

I'd be surprised if a lending institution would finance that without provision by current owner for repair first.

ETA: I can't believe current owner didn't push issue with original owner before sale, or that original owner didn't sue builder.

Posted: 9/11/2017 4:48:01 AM EDT

[#4]

My house has a crack similar in every corner, just not as wide.
It is a 1960's build, though.
Not sure I would buy a "newish" house with the problem.

Posted: 9/11/2017 4:56:25 AM EDT

[#5]

the only way to know is hire a structural engineer and put epoxied glass across the crack and wait several thaw freeze cycles to know if that crack is active because the footings are not deep enough.

Posted: 9/11/2017 5:02:49 AM EDT

[#6]

Looks like every block foundation I've ever seen here in the Midwest.

Posted: 9/11/2017 6:32:38 AM EDT

[#7]

It's just going to be a matter of time before we get 'Front fell off' pix and story.

DHR is in Nebraska?
Tornado zone, with that underpinning holding the house to one spot, when it's having issues doing it in sunshine?

Posted: 9/11/2017 6:46:29 AM EDT

[#8]

I bet that kickout on the downspout wasnt there originally and the water caused the settling.

*If* that is the only crack in the foundation I might not walk away, but I would demand the seller fix it - per the specs of a structural engineer.

Posted: 9/11/2017 7:52:52 AM EDT

[#9]

Doesn't look like so much as a bond beam in there. Don't know much about residential cmu construction, but shouldn't the top course be u-block w/ a couple horizontal rebar and grouted full?

Posted: 9/11/2017 8:46:37 AM EDT

[#10]

Run and run as fast as possible

Posted: 9/11/2017 11:52:26 AM EDT

[#11]

Rob, is that a hip roof?

Posted: 9/11/2017 6:51:43 PM EDT

[#12]

Quote History

Quoted:
Rob, is that a hip roof?

View Quote

I have no idea what that is, please explain.

I have another thread in team, here's my response...

I'll try to answer a few questions,..

There is no crack in the slab. The garage is tall enough for a camper and a car, and it's over two cars deep. You can actually fit two cars and have several feet til the back wall.

We voiced our concerns to our relator, he told their selling agent and they reportedly had two people inspect it. While they weren't foundation experts, they voiced no concern. That boggles my mind. I told our realtor that if we put in an offer, it'd be low and inspected by a foundation expert.

The sellers are very motivated to sell, they are building a new and bigger house elsewhere.

Posted: 9/11/2017 7:21:02 PM EDT

[#13]

Quote History

Quoted:
I bet that kickout on the downspout wasnt there originally and the water caused the settling.

*If* that is the only crack in the foundation I might not walk away, but I would demand the seller fix it - per the specs of a structural engineer.

View Quote

I would go this route ^^^^

Posted: 9/11/2017 9:22:21 PM EDT

[#14]

Walk away.

Posted: 9/11/2017 10:09:51 PM EDT

[#15]

Have a foundation expert inspect it. If he says it can be fixed, get a quote and tell the sellers you want that much off the price + 10%....assuming the price is decent for the area.

Here's something to think about....sellers want out of the house.....maybe they know something you don't and they want to get out before the garage falls off.

I would run away from this one but do not consider buying it unless a foundation EXPERT (not a general contractor) looks at it.

Posted: 9/12/2017 1:49:37 PM EDT

[#16]

Quote History

Quoted:
I have no idea what that is, please explain.

I have another thread in team, here's my response...

I'll try to answer a few questions,..

There is no crack in the slab. The garage is tall enough for a camper and a car, and it's over two cars deep. You can actually fit two cars and have several feet til the back wall.

We voiced our concerns to our relator, he told their selling agent and they reportedly had two people inspect it. While they weren't foundation experts, they voiced no concern. That boggles my mind. I told our realtor that if we put in an offer, it'd be low and inspected by a foundation expert.

The sellers are very motivated to sell, they are building a new and bigger house elsewhere.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
Rob, is that a hip roof?

I have no idea what that is, please explain.

I have another thread in team, here's my response...

I'll try to answer a few questions,..

There is no crack in the slab. The garage is tall enough for a camper and a car, and it's over two cars deep. You can actually fit two cars and have several feet til the back wall.

We voiced our concerns to our relator, he told their selling agent and they reportedly had two people inspect it. While they weren't foundation experts, they voiced no concern. That boggles my mind. I told our realtor that if we put in an offer, it'd be low and inspected by a foundation expert.

The sellers are very motivated to sell, they are building a new and bigger house elsewhere.

Google "hip roof images".

It's a four or three sided roof system ( three if it's attached to another building) .. That roof framing method puts additional weight on the outside corners.

Several folks in this thread and the one that I just read in team said "run away". I understand why they say that but if you like the house and location that corner can be repaired but the current owner would have to make a cost adjustment, assuming the property isn't already a heck of a deal...

I'll tell you what I don't like in your pics. The top course of block isn't core filled with grout. The corner block aren't filled all the way down to the concrete footing. There isn't a termite shield over the hollow cores. Those items suggest that it was built by a rookie...

Having said that, if you like the property, I wouldn't run away if the financial terms are favorable.

Posted: 9/12/2017 2:00:54 PM EDT

[#17]

Quote History

Quoted:

Google "hip roof images".

It's a four or three sided roof system ( three if it's attached to another building) .. That roof framing method puts additional weight on the outside corners.

Several folks in this thread and the one that I just read in team said "run away". I understand why they say that but if you like the house and location that corner can be repaired but the current owner would have to make a cost adjustment, assuming the property isn't already a heck of a deal...

I'll tell you what I don't like in your pics. The top course of block isn't core filled with grout. The corner block aren't filled all the way down to the concrete footing. There isn't a termite shield over the hollow cores. Those items suggest that it was built by a rookie...

Having said that, if you like the property, I wouldn't run away if the financial terms are favorable.

View Quote

Mentioned that earlier. Top course should look like:

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Around here I believe vertical cells have to be solid grouted w/ vertical bar 32" o.c. and at openings

Have to wonder what is holding the framing down if the top course isn't grouted? Should have 5/8" anchors 6' o.c. and at corners and at openings.

It can be fixed, but you'll want some $ allowance for it.

Posted: 9/12/2017 10:35:47 PM EDT

[#18]

My wife and I talked quite a bit and I think we'll skip it for now. We'll keep it in the back of our minds in case they drop it or if we really feel like fixing it. The knowledge and help available here amazes me.

But just for giggles here's the front and rear of the garage....

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