Crack in the foundation

[The_Tick]

So...

I have lived in this house for 9 years. We are first owners of the home.

About 4 months ago I notice the grout in the main bathroom had a crack going right down the middle. No problems with the tile, just the grout.

About 3 months ago I notice that there is a raised area in the kitchen floor. We have linolium in there and it was the way that the light reflected off of the floor that caught my eye. The main bathroom is right next to the kitchen. The cracking grout in the bathroom and the raised area in the kitchen are in a direct line.

So...I can see that there is a crack in the foundation and that the slab has raised a bit.

Other than cutting into the linolium in the kitchen...well there really isn't any other way to see how big this thing is or how far it goes.

It bothers me everytime I go into the kitchen. It is the only thing I can see. When I am in the restroom all I can look at is the grout.

Anyone ever had to deal with an insurance company over a slab issue? I am starting to freak myself out slightly.

[Babs]

Anyone ever had to deal with an insurance company over a slab issue? I am starting to freak myself out slightly.

Homeowners insurance generally won't cover foundation problems.

[TripletDaddy]

I thought this thread was going to be about SeattleUte's path to self-discovery....

[Babs]

I thought this thread was going to be about SeattleUte's path to self-discovery....

I thought it was about Tick's avatar's bra.

[Babs]

Isn't nine years awfully young for a house to have foundation issues?

[mUUser]

We had to fix ours after 6 years. About $8K and insurance didn't cover it.

[Tick's wife]

Don't forget about the crack in the front walkway by the garage that was there right after we moved in. Oh, and the studs that we can see through the crappy paint in master bathroom above the shower.

[FN Phat]

Cracks in the flatworks outside is not too uncommon. Your slab is another story. How big is the crack into the grout? How raised is the kitchen floor?

[pellegrino]

Isn't nine years awfully young for a house to have foundation issues?

not the way they build houses these days. It used to be that they'd take a year to build a house, now they do it in 3-4 months, with the speed comes massive shortcuts and that can lead to major problems a lot sooner than usual. Our first home was on a slab as well. We were the first owners and everything was fine for us, but there were several neighbors whose houses were built at the same time and they had major issues in a lot of things, one of them being the foundation. In two cases the plumbing that was put into the slab leaked, eroded all of the earth underneath it and the slab basically caved in above those eroded areas. That all happened within two years of construction.

[The_Tick]

Cracks in the flatworks outside is not too uncommon. Your slab is another story. How big is the crack into the grout? How raised is the kitchen floor?

Crack in the grout just runs the length.

Crack in the kitchen is something I really am not going to be able to guess until I cut the flooring.

Let's just say it stresses me out looking at it. It probably looks worse than it is. Less that 1/4"

[Tick's wife]

Crack in the grout just runs the length.

Crack in the kitchen is something I really am not going to be able to guess until I cut the flooring.

Let's just say it stresses me out looking at it. It probably looks worse than it is. Less that 1/4"

Time to remodel...me like...

[beefytee]

I think our last house came with a 10 year warranty on the foundation.

I don't remember hearing anything like that on our most recent house, even though it was a new house as well.

Did you look at your original sale and the warranty to make sure it isn't covered?

I doubt there is anything covered, but it might be worth looking into.

[Tick's wife]

I think our last house came with a 10 year warranty on the foundation.

I don't remember hearing anything like that on our most recent house, even though it was a new house as well.

Did you look at your original sale and the warranty to make sure it isn't covered?

I doubt there is anything covered, but it might be worth looking into.

No warranty, just remodel or get a new house.....lol

[Katy Lied]

1. I would check your state statute. Many states (including Utah) impel builders to cover structural damage for 10 years, whether it is in your warranty or not. This is why builders offer the 10 year warranty: because they have to, not because they want to. I would call the warranty department for your builder, it doesn't cost you anything to have them come out and look at it. They won't lie to you so if they say anything other than "the state doesn't require us to cover it, and we dont" I would pursue it further.

2. Most of the time the 10-year statute is predicated on you being the initial home buyer, which I gather is your case. You bought directly from the builder, right? And the builder is still in business?

3. Not that I am volunteering him, but I would direct any incidental questions to FN Phat.

[beefytee]

1. I would check your state statute. Many states (including Utah) impel builders to cover structural damage for 10 years, whether it is in your warranty or not. This is why builders offer the 10 year warranty: because they have to, not because they want to. I would call the warranty department for your builder, it doesn't cost you anything to have them come out and look at it. They won't lie to you so if they say anything other than "the state doesn't require us to cover it, and we dont" I would pursue it further.

2. Most of the time the 10-year statute is predicated on you being the initial home buyer, which I gather is your case. You bought directly from the builder, right? And the builder is still in business?

3. Not that I am volunteering him, but I would direct any incidental questions to FN Phat.

Good info Katy!

Thanks.