# Crumbling concrete flooring under carpet **URL:** \ **Category:** General Inspection Discussion\ **Created:** [June 12, 2021, 4:20pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/crumbling-concrete-flooring-under-carpet/199302 "2021-06-12T16:20:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![shanly](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/shanly/32/180567_2.png) [@shanly](https://forum.nachi.org/u/shanly)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2021, 4:20pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/crumbling-concrete-flooring-under-carpet/199302/1 "2021-06-12T16:20:12Z")
I inspected an apartment. It’s on the second floor. The concrete flooring under the carpet is crumbling significantly, to the point where the cracks and voids can be felt when walking on the carpet laid on top of it. I considered it a problem, as did my partner (who has 25 years in the home construction business). However, the city inspector doesn’t consider it problem. Frankly, I am wondering who is right. ![crumbling cement floor under carpet](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/1/b/1b40f80e38e61bb09dbff8c59c2bc249592bf701.jpeg) ![IMG_0599](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/3/a/3ad6d2764342417965dd200c6f52b58cadc80fa7.jpeg) Thanks, Steven H. ---
**Author:** ![wbernauer](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/wbernauer/32/304389_2.png) [@wbernauer](https://forum.nachi.org/u/wbernauer)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2021, 4:26pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/crumbling-concrete-flooring-under-carpet/199302/2 "2021-06-12T16:26:43Z")
That doesn’t look new. Why was a city inspector there? ---
**Author:** ![sbridges2](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/sbridges2/32/213319_2.png) [@sbridges2](https://forum.nachi.org/u/sbridges2)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2021, 4:37pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/crumbling-concrete-flooring-under-carpet/199302/3 "2021-06-12T16:37:06Z")
It could be a thin layer of self leveling concrete patch over the concrete slab that is crumbling? 🤔 ---
**Author:** ![ddagostino](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/ddagostino/32/60136_2.png) [@ddagostino](https://forum.nachi.org/u/ddagostino)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2021, 4:43pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/crumbling-concrete-flooring-under-carpet/199302/4 "2021-06-12T16:43:19Z")
Apartments and condos can have gypcrete on top of wood subfloors . ---
**Author:** ![shanly](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/shanly/32/180567_2.png) [@shanly](https://forum.nachi.org/u/shanly)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2021, 4:48pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/crumbling-concrete-flooring-under-carpet/199302/5 "2021-06-12T16:48:06Z")
It’s not new construction. It’s lightweight concrete, used for noise suppression between floors. The city inspector got involved due to a dispute between the tenant and the landlord. The landlord is basically running a slum, and isn’t really interested in fixing anything. The tenant, trying to get some help, sent the inspection report to the city. The city inspector took a look at the pictures in the report (the ones I posted here) and determined that they were only cosmetic. ---
**Author:** ![wbernauer](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/wbernauer/32/304389_2.png) [@wbernauer](https://forum.nachi.org/u/wbernauer)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2021, 5:13pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/crumbling-concrete-flooring-under-carpet/199302/6 "2021-06-12T17:13:53Z")
This is why I don’t perform tenant inspections. But I agree with the city inspector. Although a nuisance it is largely cosmetic. ---
**Author:** ![lkage](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/lkage/32/347658_2.png) [@lkage](https://forum.nachi.org/u/lkage)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2021, 6:17pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/crumbling-concrete-flooring-under-carpet/199302/7 "2021-06-12T18:17:39Z")
Welcome back to our forum, Steven!…Enjoy, the water is warm, most of the time! 😄 ---
**Author:** ![shanly](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/shanly/32/180567_2.png) [@shanly](https://forum.nachi.org/u/shanly)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2021, 6:44pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/crumbling-concrete-flooring-under-carpet/199302/8 "2021-06-12T18:44:29Z")
Thanks for your answer. It’s not what I expected, but heck, it’s why I asked! But, just to be clear, and to separate out “structural issue” from “acceptable construction practices”, would you say that it’s cosmetic from a structural point of view (only), or that it’s okay for carpet to be laid upon concrete crumbling so bad it might as well be gravel? I have a hard time imagining having a concrete subcontractor say that that level of work is “acceptable”. If I were the general contractor I don’t think I would be able to let my subs get away with that standard of work. (Admittedly, that’s not really the situation here, as this concrete is over 25 years old. But the landlord just stretched and retacked the carpet over it and called it good. But it’s a useful analogy.) ---
**Author:** ![bcawhern1](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/bcawhern1/32/408713_2.png) [@bcawhern1](https://forum.nachi.org/u/bcawhern1)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2021, 6:48pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/crumbling-concrete-flooring-under-carpet/199302/9 "2021-06-12T18:48:07Z")
You were right to call it out, it is a component that is not performing. There will be no structural consequence, only a “comfort consequence”. The local code enforcement is not going to get involved with how good carpet feels under someone’s feet. But as a home inspector, it is a problem and should be reported. ---
**Author:** ![wbernauer](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/wbernauer/32/304389_2.png) [@wbernauer](https://forum.nachi.org/u/wbernauer)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2021, 7:14pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/crumbling-concrete-flooring-under-carpet/199302/10 "2021-06-12T19:14:45Z")
What Brian said…… ---
**Author:** ![jjonas](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/jjonas/32/301755_2.png) [@jjonas](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jjonas)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2021, 7:42pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/crumbling-concrete-flooring-under-carpet/199302/11 "2021-06-12T19:42:14Z")
> [@bcawhern1](#): > > The local code enforcement is not going to get involved with how good carpet feels under someone’s feet. Also remember, the slumlord may also be drinking buddies with the AHJ and have unknown connections with him! ---
**Author:** ![shanly](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/shanly/32/180567_2.png) [@shanly](https://forum.nachi.org/u/shanly)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2021, 7:44pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/crumbling-concrete-flooring-under-carpet/199302/12 "2021-06-12T19:44:35Z")
Heh. Good point. I am going to go with naivete and assume that there aren’t any of those connections. Because I am an optimist at heart (when my cynicism doesn’t get the best of me!) ---
**Author:** ![jjonas](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/jjonas/32/301755_2.png) [@jjonas](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jjonas)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2021, 7:49pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/crumbling-concrete-flooring-under-carpet/199302/13 "2021-06-12T19:49:50Z")
> [@shanly](#): > > I am going to go with naivete I only mentioned a possible connection as it should make no difference in how you inspect/report. Same as with Agents/Sellers/Contractors, etc. The Client hired YOU and is paying you for your observations and opinions. Report what you see. Mention your concerns. Move on to the next issue. ---
**Author:** ![jspencer](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/jspencer/32/172267_2.png) [@jspencer](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jspencer)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2021, 10:40pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/crumbling-concrete-flooring-under-carpet/199302/14 "2021-06-12T22:40:25Z")
Around here, gypcrete is used for fire rating between floors. I would call it out for repair. ---
**Author:** ![mdurante](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/mdurante/32/289617_2.png) [@mdurante](https://forum.nachi.org/u/mdurante)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2021, 3:01am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/crumbling-concrete-flooring-under-carpet/199302/15 "2021-06-13T03:01:48Z")
> [@shanly](#): > > It’s **lightweight concrete** , used for noise suppression between floors. When used over wood structure, like a hotel or apartment building, this is what you will get. A typical mix design for this application has no real structural integrity anyway since more fly-ash is used than portland cement. The aggregate is usually made of pumice type stone, and if not properly hydrated prior to use, it will suck the moisture right out of the mix when pumped causing excessive cracking and spalling, hence the high fly-ash content (it makes it slicker and easier to pump). Not to mention, these floors are usually no mare than 2" thick. I have done several floors like this, and they never last more than a few years without needing some sort of repair. ---
**Author:** ![bcawhern1](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/bcawhern1/32/408713_2.png) [@bcawhern1](https://forum.nachi.org/u/bcawhern1)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2021, 3:04am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/crumbling-concrete-flooring-under-carpet/199302/16 "2021-06-13T03:04:42Z")
Good stuff!! Thanks for the info. ---
**Author:** ![wbernauer](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/wbernauer/32/304389_2.png) [@wbernauer](https://forum.nachi.org/u/wbernauer)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2021, 3:18am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/crumbling-concrete-flooring-under-carpet/199302/17 "2021-06-13T03:18:00Z")
Thanks for that! Always a wealth of knowledge. ---
**Author:** ![rthornburg](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/rthornburg/32/60113_2.png) [@rthornburg](https://forum.nachi.org/u/rthornburg)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2021, 12:31pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/crumbling-concrete-flooring-under-carpet/199302/18 "2021-06-13T12:31:47Z")
Even if an issue isn’t a structural concern it can still be a concern and shouldn’t necessarily be dismissed. Cosmetic concerns can be a huge financial concern…and in this case if the choice of flooring materials was anything other than carpet you might expect to experience some of that financial concern… ---
**Author:** ![rkenney](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/rkenney/32/405447_2.png) [@rkenney](https://forum.nachi.org/u/rkenney)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2021, 1:11pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/crumbling-concrete-flooring-under-carpet/199302/19 "2021-06-13T13:11:57Z")
Carpet is often used as a floor covering in these situations to HIDE something. I’ve even seen carpet installed in garages to hide concrete cracks and stains. ---
**Author:** ![dbowers](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/dbowers/32/59651_2.png) [@dbowers](https://forum.nachi.org/u/dbowers)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2021, 4:36am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/crumbling-concrete-flooring-under-carpet/199302/20 "2021-06-14T04:36:25Z")
You’re talking apples to Hostess Twinkies. Code vs Home Inspection … NOT the same thing ESPECIALLY on a pre-owned dwelling