Cold pour joints on new build - concern?

[yashraf (Yusuf Ashraf)]

Hi All,

I recently purchased a new home from a local builder and noticed a large cold pour joint that runs from the bottom of the side foundation wall up to the top of the front wall near the garage entrance.

The builder is claiming that this is not a concern and it is simply a line. I live in an area of cold climate in Canada and am concerned about long terms issues with moisture / frost. In your opinion is the cold pour joint in the pictures acceptable or should I push back with the builder and bring an inspector or structural engineer?

https://1drv.ms/f/s!AvXQOM8QtqEXmnskrKr25UZa7bQ3

Thanks!

[lkage (Larry Kage, CMI)]

@yashraf

I recently purchased a new home from a local builder and noticed a large cold pour joint that runs from the bottom of the side foundation wall up to the top of the front wall near the garage entrance.

The builder is claiming that this is not a concern and it is simply a line. I live in an area of cold climate in Canada and am concerned about long terms issues with moisture / frost. In your opinion is the cold pour joint in the pictures acceptable or should I push back with the builder and bring an inspector or structural engineer?

https://1drv.ms/f/s!AvXQOM8QtqEXmnskrKr25UZa7bQ3

Thanks!

Yusuf, please see and read these links to help you understand:

Cold Pour Joints, Should I be concerned?

Daniel, Those cold joints are not severe, but should be grouted with non-shrink grout before the waterproofing material is applied to the wall. Also all those metal form ties should be broke off back behind the wall surface and the hole grouted as well.

Cold joints in foundation walls

Thanks, Dale. In the past, I’ve often not even mentioned it because I’ve never seen a problem resulting from it. Seems like an individual situation call to some extent.

A cold pour joint , where successive pours or placements of concrete abut during building construction, are normal but on occasion are leak points that may need sealing or repair.

From: Cold pour joints in concrete foundations & floors

And, welcome to our forum!

[yashraf (Yusuf Ashraf)]

Thanks Larry.

I’ll request that they seal / repair the area to prevent leaking. I was concerned that my particular case was more severe than normal as some of the other cases I’ve seen while researching online are not as bad / noticeable and still leak.

[lkage (Larry Kage, CMI)]

I’d get a guarantee, in writing, from them that it will not leak.

[manderson7 (Mark Anderson)]

umm, are they going to’waterproof’ the walls or only damproof or nothing? Waterproofing the walls is what is best for the walls and for you

i see about what, maybe 1’ of gravel backfilled so far… any plans to backfill with most–all gravel? That would be best for… YOU.

any reinforcement rods IN walls?

[dcossar1 (Douglas Cossar, CMI. NHI)]

Looks like the outside wall of the garage area. I suspect the inside area will be backfilled before the garage floor is poured. If that is the case there should not be any problem.
Cheers