Originally Posted By: Diana Reese This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I think I have mentioned here before about my noticing a hairline [about 1/32"] crack that’s above grade on the exterior, north wall of my home. It’s a few feet long and stops before reaching either end of the wall. Based on all that I’ve researched, it sounds as if this crack may have occurred due to lateral pressure or movement, but most of the info. concerns basement horizontal cracking.
My home is slab on grade and cement block. I "think" the crack is following the bed joint. There's no evidence of it on the interior side. I am monitoring the situation, but I am not sure just how concerned I should be about this.
Are there any hard and fast rules for what causes this type of crack? Thx! 
Originally Posted By: bking This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
From your info I assume this crack is in the block and maybe along a mortar joint ? If so, just seal it with some good paintable exterior caulk and monitor it to see if any movement occurs.
Maybe some florida inspectors can comment on that area. I understand that foundations and their performance can vary there.
Originally Posted By: Mark Anderson This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Diana,
Difficult to say without seeing problem first hand, ya know? Read some of your earlier posts and the good people/HI`s here pretty much gave you what they could,not much to add other than assumptions.
Slab-footing movement/crack--settling of soil beneath slab/footing certainly could have occurred with all the rain ya had there which possibly have caused your 'above ground' step crack(s). Several assumptions can be made which prolly isnt going to do you much-any good. You want Facts-Causes-Reasons from a capable SE--foundation contractor who can view this on sight. Wish there was more to say,GL Kid.
Originally Posted By: Diana Reese This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Hey! Thanks for trying! I am just so very undecided about whether it’s worth staying in our home long-term and deal with whatever comes our way, or try and sell it and let someone else have the headaches. I believe that at best, an SE would recommend monitoring the situation and that alone has been incredibly stressful to me because there’s no “real” way to know what the future holds in this. Do I really want to spend thousands fixing up a home when the repairs could potentially lead to more problems?
Well, maybe I'll win the lottery tonight and this will be all mute anyway! One can dream! 
Originally Posted By: dedwards This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Regardless of what you deceide to do, in Florida you have to disclose this to any potential buyer. So without any real answers to your problem you are back to square one. Find out what is going on. It may be minor and easy to correct or if it isn’t you need to do something about it before it gets worse.
Originally Posted By: Diana Reese This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I know, and should we decide to sell, we do intend to disclose the home’s history since our arrival. And in an odd way, I am looking forward to an SE’s evaluation. It will be interesting to see if my private evaluation corresponds with theirs.
I am just so very undecided about whether it’s worth staying in our home long-term and deal with whatever comes our way, or try and sell it and let someone else have the headaches. I believe that at best, an SE would recommend monitoring the situation and that alone has been incredibly stressful to me because there’s no “real” way to know what the future holds in this. Do I really want to spend thousands fixing up a home when the repairs could potentially lead to more problems?