exterrior

Specific Inspection Topics Exterior Inspections
#1

Because i am not a member or inspector i cant post pics but would like your thoughts please.

1998 stucco concrete poured slab issues.

  1. garage concrete floor moves when car is driven in and out of garage
  2. patio sidewalk concrete leads to front door moves up/down when dirt around it is wet. also are heaving
    3 lots of cracks in living room tiles 12x12 all in one continues line
  3. garage header or above garage seems to dip down a bit in the middle
    what causes these things do i have a soil problem or structual issues
    your thoughts are much appreciated

Rafael

#2

Where are you located? What type of soil?
What type slab construction - slab on grade ?
Concrete sections / garage floor should not be moving.
Cracking of floor tiles indicates a slab problem in many instances, or expansion / contraction at any rate.
The header above the garage door could be a structural issue.

Can you post pictures somewhere else and include a link?
Linda

#3

The movement of the slabs suggests that you live in an area where expansive clay soils are present. These soils expand when wet, and contract again when dry.

Your floor tile problem may be a shrinkage crack in the slab. Best to monitor the crack. Is there any vertical displacement from one side of the crack to the other? Is the crack widening, or is it stable? You can discover this by marking one spot on the floor, and measure between the sides of the crack, maybe monthly. If the measurement is always the same, the crack is now stable, and is the likley a shrinkage crack in the slab. What are the dimensions of the house, and where exactly is the crack, and how is it oriented?

What is the composition of the garage door header? What size lumber, and how many pieces? What is the span of the header? What is located above the garage? Just roof, or another story and roof? Whcih way do the rafters run relative to the header…perpendicular or parallel?

#4

tHE HOME IS IN TURLOCK,CA

  1. garage concrete floor moves when car is driven in and out of garage
    Slab on grade

  2. patio sidewalk concrete leads to front door moves up/down when dirt around it is wet. also are heaving

3 lots of cracks in living room tiles 12x12 all in one continues line
Cracks are not widening

  1. garage header or above garage seems to dip down a bit in the middle
    what causes these things do i have a soil problem or structual issues
    your thoughts are much appreciated

Not sure of the lumber size but the length is 15ft and is a single story house about 1400 sq ft nothing above header.rafters run perpendicular
Thank you both for your inputs and time it is well appreciated.
Rafael