Originally Posted By: jrooff This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Not being able to see what went on inside and this is assuming that it is in fact a block or poured basement wall, I would not be able to call out D as my answer. That would be a big leap from just looking at this one photo in my opinion.
Originally Posted By: kdemski This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I agree, James. Calling for the big guns seems like a bit much. I’d start with a “reputable” stucco-guy. If he knows a patch won’t outlast his guaranty, he’ll make the call.
Originally Posted By: cradan This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Concur with Ken, Jeff and James. If it’s Van den Ven’s pic, I’m assuming it’s Florida. Hurrikins, maybe, but not too many shakers down there. Without a good gander at the underlying foundation wall or slab, how could you make an informed call on whether this is a finish problem, or a truly structural issue?
Originally Posted By: Blaine Wiley This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Very common kind of crack down here. If it were in VA at a basement wall I would certainly recommend an SE. Unless this was a fairly new home, I would most likely recommend repair and monitoring by a qualified licensed contractor.
Originally Posted By: rfrancis This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I might be a way off on this, but here goes. Isn’t that the famous stucco that mold lawsuits are made out of, that would be a concern to me and at the bottom of the report or some where else . I would state something like this If client has a concern about mold recommend further evaluation by mold specialist, now before everyone goes nuts on me remember I said bottom of report or somewhere else in the report. Now as to the crack yes it is larger at on end then the other that would be a concern and that it was running sort of vertical would add to that.
Bottom line have repaired and that client should monitor for further movement and then a structure specialist if movement noted, or something along that line.
-- Bob Francis
Shamrock Home Inspections Inc
Toronto, Ontario Canada
Originally Posted By: gbell This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I would not call a crack of that size common. From the looks of the window this is a wood frame home. I would be concerned about structural movement and possible environmental concerns.
But it is a hard call to make from just this one picture.
Originally Posted By: cradan This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
. The material in the photo looks like the real thing, not EIFS.
EIFS is one or more coats of stucco-like media slathered-over a screed and some rather thick slabs of polystyrene (an oversimplification, but you get the idea). For an EIFS wall to crack like that, someone would have to have mechanically attacked it.
Originally Posted By: gbeaumont This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Greg Bell wrote:
I would be concerned about structural movement and possible environmental concerns.
Thanks Greg, that was my thinking behind the question, I am no expert in FL stucco problems, but this crack is a big bugger (sorry for the technical term  ) and due to the fact that it tapers conciderably it would have to allude to some type of differential settlement, either in the framing or the foundation structure.
Originally Posted By: jmyers This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Gerry,
As usual, I totally disagree with you. You could not possibly tell from looking at a picture of a crack in stucco, or even looking at it personally there was any framing problem here what so ever. Further, an engineer could not possibly tell you that either.
While there is not doubt in my mind that is a stress crack, the cause of it would most likely not be structural in nature. The stucco looks like an after thought and not original to the structure, so my thoughts would fly in the direction of improper installation.
