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Message
house settling or foundation problems?
Posted on 1/3/23 at 9:35 am
Posted on 1/3/23 at 9:35 am
who would you call for an inspection to determine if cracks in your sheetrock are simple settling issues or something more serious? I'm hesitant to call a foundation company right off the bat but don't know if I should inquire with a contractor or need some type of structural engineer.
7
Posted on 1/3/23 at 9:37 am to tigerinthebueche
Can you post pictures?
Some settling is normal.
I have used National Foundation in the past.
Some settling is normal.
I have used National Foundation in the past.
Posted on 1/3/23 at 9:53 am to ItzMe1972
I'll have to take some. I have one gnarly looking crack in the ceiling sheetrock in the den, but no sticking doors.
I'm just worried about getting fed a line of shite by a salesman.
I'm just worried about getting fed a line of shite by a salesman.
Posted on 1/3/23 at 10:00 am to tigerinthebueche
They don't charge to look and offer an opinion.
Get a few, at least see if they say the same thing.
I understand your question, but can't offer you a specific suggestion.
Best of luck.
Get a few, at least see if they say the same thing.
I understand your question, but can't offer you a specific suggestion.
Best of luck.
Posted on 1/3/23 at 12:02 pm to tigerinthebueche
quote:
I have one gnarly looking crack in the ceiling sheetrock in the den
Ceiling is less likely to be foundation issues, look to potential causes as someone in the attic stepping on the drywall or undersized ceiling joist flexing and causing drywall cracks
ETA: How large is the room with the ceiling cracks and are the cracks in the middle of the room or closer to the walls?
This post was edited on 1/3/23 at 12:05 pm
Posted on 1/3/23 at 12:20 pm to tigerinthebueche
I did when I was buying my house. Structural engineer here in Nola did it. They even estimated that the foundation settled a few years after the house was built and not recent. I guess based on the area. I would think maybe the people you would be calling also will fix foundations so might also be trying to sell you a fix. Just a thought might be to find an engineer with no ties to remediation for an honest answer.
Posted on 1/3/23 at 12:42 pm to tigerinthebueche
we had ours inspected by 3 different contractors when we noticed some cracking. one told us that our house was falling apart and would get worse if we didn't immediately spend $60K in foundation augmentation. 
The other two, who performed similar measurements, concluded that it was routine settling. One of those was a structural engineer who told us one of the tell-tales for foundation vs settling is cracks that radiate at 45 degree angles from the tops of doorways and windows. TFWIW
The other two, who performed similar measurements, concluded that it was routine settling. One of those was a structural engineer who told us one of the tell-tales for foundation vs settling is cracks that radiate at 45 degree angles from the tops of doorways and windows. TFWIW
Posted on 1/3/23 at 1:34 pm to Beardlington
quote:
One of those was a structural engineer who told us one of the tell-tales for foundation vs settling is cracks that radiate at 45 degree angles from the tops of doorways and windows.
Out of interest, what do the 45 degree angles from the tops of doorways and windows mean?
Posted on 1/3/23 at 2:14 pm to thadcastle
foundation level structural compromise. why 45 degrees, I don't know
Posted on 1/3/23 at 2:18 pm to Beardlington
Would sloping counters indicate one or the other?
I can roll a marble off my countertops and I'm noticing some cracking along the caulk line on the crown molding.
I can roll a marble off my countertops and I'm noticing some cracking along the caulk line on the crown molding.
Posted on 1/3/23 at 2:30 pm to Motorboat
from what I understand, that could be either one. cracking at joints sounds more like settling based on our experience, but I'm not a structural engineer
Posted on 1/3/23 at 4:54 pm to wickowick
quote:
How large is the room with the ceiling cracks and are the cracks in the middle of the room or closer to the walls?
its the den. Its over towards a wall but it starts where we had recessed (can) lights installed. I think the electrician damaged the sheetrock during the install, but my wife thinks its something more sinister because we have cracks on a few other walls. i think those are just settling issues.
Posted on 1/3/23 at 4:56 pm to LEASTBAY
quote:
I would think maybe the people you would be calling also will fix foundations so might also be trying to sell you a fix. Just a thought might be to find an engineer with no ties to remediation for an honest answer.
this is my concern. Thanks for the tip on the structural engineer. I'll look into those.
Posted on 1/3/23 at 9:10 pm to tigerinthebueche
Pro tip….get yourself 25 or 30 feet of surgical tubing.
Hold both ends up and fill the tubing with water.
Measure distance from the water level to the floor to find if slab has settled between any two points in the house.
Hold both ends up and fill the tubing with water.
Measure distance from the water level to the floor to find if slab has settled between any two points in the house.
Posted on 2/1/23 at 10:13 am to tigerinthebueche
What ended up happenin’ T-in-da-B?
Are you on a slab? If so, did you walk the perimeter to look for signs of damage?
Are you on a slab? If so, did you walk the perimeter to look for signs of damage?
Posted on 2/2/23 at 5:30 pm to wickowick
quote:
Ceiling is less likely to be foundation issues, look to potential causes as someone in the attic stepping on the drywall or undersized ceiling joist flexing and causing drywall cracks
I'd add that a roof leak that causes the truss/joist to swell and negative pressure in the attic can cause cracking in the drywall joints.
Posted on 2/2/23 at 7:22 pm to BRgetthenet
quote:
What ended up happenin’ T-in-da-B?
Are you on a slab? If so, did you walk the perimeter to look for signs of damage?
Yea I’m on a slab. Yes I walked the whole place and didn’t see anything to suggest foundation issues. Got in touch with Mike Lebas at Southeast Engineers. He came out and did a walkthrough and found that the roof wasn’t properly braced when the house was built (1991). Essentially, the roof is flexing which is causing my Sheetrock issues. The tile cracks are cosmetic and a result of the slab settling. So no foundation problems, but my roof needs reinforcing. Working on that now.
I can’t say enough about Mike. He was professional and really polite. He walked the whole place with my wife and I and explained everything while we were all up in the attic. He also sent a detailed, certified report on his findings with all the suggested repairs. Would 100% recommend him if you ever need a (home) structural engineer. Now I just need to get the roof braced correctly and then we can start renovating.
To whoever recommended a structural engineer, a huge thank you!
Posted on 2/2/23 at 11:00 pm to tigerinthebueche
quote:
The tile cracks are cosmetic and a result of the slab settling.
First we’ve heard of this. How bad is it? There are many reasons tile cracks. Are they vertical cracks (with one side higher than the other), or just horizontal ? Is it a large/long tiled area with no expansion joints? Are the tiles too close to the baseboard or bottom plate ? Lots of things to look at before you just replace the tile.
Posted on 2/2/23 at 11:06 pm to Motorboat
quote:
I'm noticing some cracking along the caulk line on the crown molding.
Wood is cut, sold quickly, then shrinks. Recaulk. Should be ok.
This post was edited on 2/2/23 at 11:10 pm
Posted on 2/3/23 at 10:30 am to 9rocket
quote:
First we’ve heard of this. How bad is it? There are many reasons tile cracks. Are they vertical cracks (with one side higher than the other), or just horizontal ?
Mine are just hairline cracks across the floor tile surface. According to Mike, the concrete slab cracked underneath the tile which caused the fractures on the tile itself. It’s not anything serious nor is it uncommon apparently.
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