Hi Experts
Wanted to get your opinion on this. The builder is saying one of the Vendor accidentally hit the top and a chunk came off. Not sure if that is the case but wanted to get your opinion is this something that is a structural concern, I am told its not and they will fix it but have not given details what would be done.
Appreciate any inputs that I can get.
It looks like they blew it out when they shot their powder-driven pins in.
Is it just the one area or are there others?
I could see only one but will go an check again. If there are more but a one with big chunk like this is only one for sure. Do you think its a structural concern ?
Also builder is telling me it happens a lot I am not sure if I should believe that
If it is only in the one spot, I would not be overly concerned about patching the concrete. However, the anchor is not doing its job and another anchor would need to be added.
I would carefully check the entire perimeter. If there are multiple locations, I would have a hard time being comfortable with it and would request a structural engineer.
Thank You I will check entire perimeter area again
The framers probably went to work too early before the wall concrete developed enough strength.to withstand the force of the anchor being inserted. Common yes, acceptable, that is up to you the buyer.
Looks like impact damage to the stud wall from the inside. Would recommend a high strength polymer concrete patch material. Just patching with grout is not acceptable.
If that’s the only spot, then no.
If they do anything at all, they will probably just grout it and call it bob.
Randy could you elaborate on the recommendation for a polymer patch over grout? Does it have to do with the the sill plates meeting over the break, or is it more general than that?
Michael, the polymer modified patching material is designed for repair work. Here is a link to Quikrete’s version available at Lowes, Home Depot, etc:
It is actually very good repair material when properly applied! I’ve used it extensively and can take a hammer and slam it and it stays right where I put it.
Understood but it was poured around Dec 29th and Framers started Feb 1st isnt that enough time. Jan was very cold thats why they didn’t start framing till Feb is that much time still less
Jeff thank you for your recommendation i went and checked the entire perimeter I saw a patch had come out at one more place but that was very small and I could see hair line crack in the same patch shape at one more place. I have added the diagram giving the overall picture. I will ask for structural engineer inspection lets see that they say. I am wondering didnt city need to inspect it , I live in Ohio
In cold weather, I wonder if the crete was still green. Also, jus’ wonderin’ if the builder is cutting a corner on the quality. One of my best friends had the builder save a few bucks on the concrete and five years later the house was falling apart. Years of suing, a stressed divorce, and finally a paltry settlement with the builder. Awful…
I’ll put that in the “worst possible outcome” category, lol.
I dont think they are cutting corners as I see most of the stuff is good quality. They also agreed to have a structural engineer review it.
What did the builder do to "save a few bucks” on the concrete?
And, specifically, how was the house “falling apart” due to the builder “saving a few bucks” five years earlier?
Or, did I misundersatnd your post?
It’s been over fifteen years ago, so I have forgotten some of the details. The house was a modest custom ranch-style, about 1800 sq ft. I don’t remember if it was slab-on-grade or stem wall with a concrete floor. I only saw the house once shortly after it was finished. I never inspected it. It was…it had a creative floor plan and finish detail. His wife was very artistic, and this house showed it.
Basically, the architect specified a custom concrete mix which was a few thousand dollars more than the standard mix. The builder apparently thought he knew better. He was a very experienced guy in light commercial and residential. Five years later, the foundation was actively shifting and displacing with multiple breaks gapped over one inch. The concrete company records and concrete samples confirmed the mix was different than the specified concrete. The builder tried to bankrupt away but my buddy got his bankruptcy reversed. Then the builder just tried to get away by moving but they easily tracked him down. And finally, they settled.
It was my buddy’s wife’s dream home and the stress and disappointment wrecked her. The architect and structural engineer said it could not be salvaged for any cost that wasn’t the same as rebuilding it from scratch. Definitely a reminder that a house becomes a home and is a very big deal and purchase for many people.
