Home Repair forum - advice for leaking basement new house

Author

advice for leaking basement new house

campn4fun@neo.rr.com

2007-02-27, 9:25 pm

Several months ago I posted our concern regarding cracking in the
basement cement block walls about every 5 feet or so, mostly verticle
cracks. We did have 2 structural engineers come look at the cracks.
Engineer #2 was most thorough, stating the cracks need to be watched
over the winter for extending in width and length. After reviewing the
specs and drawings for the house he thought the cracking may be from
only 1 ft of stone over the outside perimeter drain tiles and then
backfilled with clay soil. The external pressure of the clay soil
pressing against the basement walls causing the cracking. Living in
northern Ohio we have snow and last week 1 day of thawing. A few days
ago we noticed one of the large cracks is now dark stained about 1
foot on each side of the crack all the way to the floor and about a
4-6 inch area outward onto the basement floor at the bottom of the
crack. This is water staining. The exterior of the walls are parging
and tar. I notified the builder via email and attached pics of the
situation as well as other darkened areas on the walls from excess
moisture. All previous issues presented to the builder including the
cracking of the basement walls and cracking of the exterior cultured
stone the builder states are "normal". The builders repair rep is
coming out to look at the present situation. We know they won't have a
viable solution. There is an arbitration clause in our building
contract which puts us in an unfortunate position. How would others
respond when the builder states there is nothing they can or will do
regarding the water migration thru the block walls? I do not find a
waterproofing warranty in our contract. We are extremely discouraged.
We also recognize the water infiltration will affect resale. The house
we were so excited to build has become the house from hell. Thanx in
advance for all input.

bj

2007-02-27, 9:25 pm

I never knew this before I started reading Usenet groups such as this,
but I really need paragraphs and spaces between them. Especially
paragraphs that represent logical divisions. Yours is an extreme
example and as it is, I find your post illegible and incomprehensible.
I know I'm not the only one who reacts this way. Sorry, but I thought
you would want to know.

On 27 Feb 2007 18:46:07 -0800, campn4fun@neo.rr.com wrote:

>Several months ago I posted our concern regarding cracking in the
>basement cement block walls about every 5 feet or so, mostly verticle
>cracks. We did have 2 structural engineers come look at the cracks.
>Engineer #2 was most thorough, stating the cracks need to be watched
>over the winter for extending in width and length. After reviewing the
>specs and drawings for the house he thought the cracking may be from
>only 1 ft of stone over the outside perimeter drain tiles and then
>backfilled with clay soil. The external pressure of the clay soil
>pressing against the basement walls causing the cracking. Living in
>northern Ohio we have snow and last week 1 day of thawing. A few days
>ago we noticed one of the large cracks is now dark stained about 1
>foot on each side of the crack all the way to the floor and about a
>4-6 inch area outward onto the basement floor at the bottom of the
>crack. This is water staining. The exterior of the walls are parging
>and tar. I notified the builder via email and attached pics of the
>situation as well as other darkened areas on the walls from excess
>moisture. All previous issues presented to the builder including the
>cracking of the basement walls and cracking of the exterior cultured
>stone the builder states are "normal". The builders repair rep is
>coming out to look at the present situation. We know they won't have a
>viable solution. There is an arbitration clause in our building
>contract which puts us in an unfortunate position. How would others
>respond when the builder states there is nothing they can or will do
>regarding the water migration thru the block walls? I do not find a
>waterproofing warranty in our contract. We are extremely discouraged.
>We also recognize the water infiltration will affect resale. The house
>we were so excited to build has become the house from hell. Thanx in
>advance for all input.
>
>bj

Tom G

2007-02-27, 9:25 pm

<campn4fun@neo.rr.com> wrote in message
news:1172630767.097714.196690@k78g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> Several months ago I posted our concern regarding cracking in the
> basement cement block walls about every 5 feet or so, mostly verticle
> cracks. <clipped>

I wasn't aware that block basement walls were used in basement walls,
anywhere, anymore. I don't remember ever seeing a basement block wall that
didn't have a crack somewhere. Reinforced poured concrete pretty much
solved that problem, didn't it? I had a house with a horizontal crack
running the length of the wall with the walls bulging inward. The worst
kind of crack, I'm told. I bought the house in 1968 and my brother in law
now owns it. Wall still bulging but never caved in. Definitely clay soil
around it, too.

Tom G.

hallerb@aol.com

2007-02-27, 9:25 pm

On Feb 27, 10:08=EF=BF=BDpm, mm <NOPSAMmm2...@bigfoot.com> wrote:
> I never knew this before I started reading Usenet groups such as this,
> but I really need paragraphs and spaces between them. =A0Especially
> paragraphs that represent logical divisions. =A0 Yours is an extreme
> example and as it is, I find your post illegible and incomprehensible.
> I know I'm not the only one who reacts this way. =A0Sorry, but I thought
> you would want to know.
>
> On 27 Feb 2007 18:46:07 -0800, campn4...@neo.rr.com wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> - Show quoted text -

Install interior french drain. Did you check on builder before
purchase. If he has good reputation hopefully he WILL fix it.

Call structural engineer may be worth his taking 2nd look

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