My house lately seems to be shifting. The concrete is coming up and our stick on tile is cracking and so is the concrete. On the ceiling there are huge cracks and they have progressed in 6 months, and keeps cracking. Is it because it has been such a dry year? So I guess my question is:
What has caused this and how can I fix it?
2006-09-09 13:30:39 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
this house is an earth contact home and it is around 30 years old.
2006-09-09 13:37:29 · update #1
Your foundation is shifting or settling, and yes, sometimes this is exacerbated by the foundation becoming to dry during a dry year. You need to have a foundation specialist company look at it and I would get several quotes on repair. This can be very costly the longer you wait, affecting plumbing, electrical etc.
2006-09-09 13:39:27 · answer #1 · answered by DDav 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This doesn't look like a foundation problem. If this was cause by shifting and/or settling of the foundation, there would likely be cracks in the wall as well, probably at or near the corners. You don't mention these and I don't see any in the pics, so I don't think that is it. More likely some of the wood in the ceiling structure has shrunk a bit. Nothing more than a distraction and one of those things that happens to a home over a period of time. Unless there are some other signs of trouble, I would have the crack patched with a fiberglass mesh tape and be done.
2016-03-27 04:31:43 · answer #2 · answered by Helen 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
.It is doubtful that it was a dry year causing it.
Something is settling. Your foundation is probably cracked becuase
it is no longer being supported by the earth underneath.
there are a few reasons this could happen.
A sinkhole under the house.
The earth was not compacted well enough before the house was built.
Something is washing away dirt from under the foundation.
Large tree roots are LIFTING part of the house. Large tree roots can and DO break foundations. SInce a foundation should have steel rebar in it it can only move so far, but even one inch will cause the problems you describe.
You need to have a civil engineer come look at your problem.
Some times they can be repaired. but NONE are cheap.
2006-09-09 13:36:01 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
1. cracks in the ceiling are signs of structural failure as supported by your findings that the house is tilting.
2. the earth underneath your foundation may have moved due to long dry season. this happens if your foundation is on clay. clay when dry, cracks. otherwise, the soil underneath is eroded by some flowing water, from your bath and sink, that has found it way below the footing/s.
3. call a structural engineer at once to assess the stability of your house. he will also tell you how to fix it.
4. start looking for a place to stay should repairs be recommended.
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progressive cracking means progressing foundation movement.
2006-09-09 14:33:33 · answer #4 · answered by Ley 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The ground that your house is built on is moving.It is usually not caused by dry weather but improper preparation of the housing pad and compaction of the dirt.
Also if there is any dirt work or excavation being done in your neighbourhood.
To fix it is very difficult and sometimes can not be done without extensive work and money.
2006-09-09 13:37:24 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yikes, sounds like earth movement is pushing your house. Unfortunately, most insurance companies will not cover earth movement. Is your spouting clean and is the spouting diverting the water away from your foundation? You may want to have an engineer look at this.
2006-09-09 14:24:49 · answer #6 · answered by Chick with pets 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
dont listen to any of those tards, its because of the dry year. i routed a soaker hose around my house and run it for 24 hours once a week all summer because i knew what such a dry summer could do to a foundation.
2006-09-09 17:03:40 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The ground is settling. You quickly better get a contractor to shore up the foundation.
2006-09-09 13:36:56 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the earth is settling around the outside.. need a pro 2 look at it.. costly 4 sure
2006-09-09 13:34:26 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your home is shifting. Either due to settling, or possibly soil errosion under it. Not a good sign at all.
Run Forrest, RUN!!!
2006-09-09 13:36:59 · answer #10 · answered by jessep 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋