Hydrostatic Pressure Crack?

[Ben H]

Whatcha think?

Basement wall, looked bowed out a bit, but so much stuff in the way I couldn't sight down it. No water signs at all.

And, have you guys ever seen insulation used as sill seal?

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[Tom Raymond]

How old is it? That looks like slip formed concrete, which would be much older than the framing in that pic.

There was a fiberglass sill seal still in use in the late 1980's, but given the ragged edge at the top of that stem wall are you sure it wasn't stuffed in later?

[Darren]

If that was from water pressure, I'd expect to see it about a foot to 18 inches lower on the wall.

[Ben H]

Late 80's construction. Thats what I thought too Darren, it's awful high up on the wall. I know the establish shot sucks, but the stepped foundation wall was about 6ft or so at this point.

If not pressure, what would cause the bow/crack in a wall like this? It was big, close to 1/4 at the widest point.

[Brandon Whitmore]

Is that crack right at grade level or slightly lower? Perhaps some heavy equipment drove across the ground in the area and caused it.

[Ben H]

Yes, just below grade, about a foot. I thought that too, perhaps a unruly skid steel driver during construction.

I'm just not sure. Either way it's a punt I think. I sure as hell don't wanna miss judge this one.

[kurt]

Yes, that's a weird one. Given the size, I'd be wanting some more eyes on it than just mine.

The insulation is just what Raymond said; very popular in the early-mid 80's. It came in rolls sold as "sill seal".

[Jerry Simon]

Any rust stains? Re-bar getting wet, corroding, expanding. . .

[Bill Kibbel]

It really looks like an impact.

I sure as hell don't wanna miss judge this one.

Who is this Miss Judge?

[Greg Booth]

May be seeing something that's not there.......but from the sill, down to the first slip-form joint, the concrete texture appears different. Could be a cold joint or later repair?

[Ben H]

It really looks like an impact.

I sure as hell don't wanna miss judge this one.

Who is this Miss Judge?

Appears my "s" key got stuck, and the space bar kicked in at the same time. Strange...[:-paperba

[emalernee]

I was thinking a cold joint that got hit, also.

[kurt]

The more I think about it, impact seems the most logical thing.

I just don't see a crack at grade being caused by water heaving on the foundation.

I suppose it could, but I've never seen it.

Final, I'd have to eyeball the thing all the way down the line, even if I had to move stuff. It's the only way to know anything for sure.

[Rob Amaral]

How deep does 'Jack" go there in winter (Mr. Frost)? Horizontal cracks are not good ju-ju... could be Jack Frost.. was the grade relatively flat or negative adjacent to the foundation.. ? Any pics demonstrating the 'bulge'? Hard to tell from your photo..

[Ben H]

When I say this basement was packed, I mean PACKED. Only a small path to the door next to the crack. If that door had not beer there, it would have been covered up to.

I couldn't get a good look at the other side because of the very low deck mounted off the back of the house.

The last deck I build with permits (2008) the AHJ required 24" footer, but I think the frost line is 18". I'm sure Bain or Erby will correct me if not.....it's still early right now. []