Help please...

Specific Inspection Topics Structural Inspections
1

There were substantial cracks on both sides of the sump pump. A U.S. Quarter slid in quite nicely. The pump was in the front right corner of a 6000 sq. ft. home built in 1995. I could not follow the cracks outside the room in a finished basement.

There was no other cracking of any kind to be seen anywhere (foundation, walls, ceilings, floors etc.) inside or outside. Just this. I suspect this may have happened when the pump was installed. I don’t think I should recommend se evaluation. I’m interested to know what you fine gentlemen think.

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2

Is this slabe on grade or basement floor??

3

Seal it, really good.

4

Basement floor…

5

We are assuming that the cracks around the sump happened
1 before the finishing of the basement.
2. after the finishing of the basement.

In cracked before it would be natural to not see other evidence in a finished basement that has covered up said cracks.

was the any recent rainfall?

Moisture test the walls?

Any evidence on the exterior of the building?

Any signs of movement noted on the main floor? Upper floors?

6

No recent rainfall.

The opportunity for moisture testing has passed. No evidence of moisture staining anywhere throughout the home or in the attic.

No evidence on the exterior.

No signs of movement on main floor

No signs of movement on upper level.

Just this…that I can see.

There is that old sump pump in the room and a battery back-up system though.

7

ok folks…I get it…the silence is deafening…lol I recommended the se.

8

Silence means we were not there .
Any advice might be dead wrong.
I would be checking inside / out with as much info as I could gather before recommendations.

9

I totally understand. It’s a done deal. I said it was a large crack, I could not observe where the crack terminated and I recommended further evaluation by a structural engineer and repair if needed. Awkward silence is not always a bad thing. I’ll be back:D

10

My personal initial gut thinks is it may be not a big concern with no other info.
Always recommend further investigation if it could be by any chance something bigger.

Not looking much at rest of thread but I see a possible water induced ripple in that drywall and would be using the meter so it is all about walking around and looking at grade,foundation,Water Intrusion stains,openings,seeing inside the pit and looking at the drains,etc.
Could just be a pipe induced cracking for all I know here.

Back to my own now…:slight_smile:

11

Sorry for delayed silence. I had to go take care of some issues.

I am not sure that a SE can see any more or less than you did, based on your descriptions of the environment.

Calling an SE may be pointless, however not unwarranted.

Call the issue out as you see it. Note what you are unable to see or why you are unable to see more.

Cracks observed at the sump pump area approximate width of XX. It was undetermined at the time of inspection what caused the cracks. It was undetermined at the time of inspection if there is additional structural damage do to the fact the basement area is finished.
Seal and monitor for further expansion or damage. Advice of a SE may be sought to help provide better insight.

12

So in other words we have no idea,doubt a structural engineer will help much,costs extra money,yet to protect yourself from liability recommend one.

That is exactly what I would tell my client as well.

  1. no signs of water issues
  2. no foundation cracks Observed
  3. limited visibility to investigate
  4. other clue ?
13

What would have been your final recommendation??

Is the sump are at the corner of the house?

Is the sump discharging too close to the foundation wall and the reason for the crack itself.

Did the corner of the house sink? But then you would possibly hopefully see exterior cracks.

with the information given…

State what you see.
State why you can not see or what limits you from further evaluation.
Your client may want a remedy to fix.

at best from the information given
Seal the crack and keep an eye on it.

Do you want to call an SE. You can but they cant see through walls or underground either.

14

At 1.3 million these folks can afford to have it professionally evaluated or be prepared to live with the potential consequences. I’m convinced I did the right thing. Sleeping fine tonight:cool: thanks everyone…