Erby Posted January 18, 2012 Report Posted January 18, 2012 Anybody have a good authoritative reference for this. Click to Enlarge 95.06?KB Click to Enlarge 88.81?KB Appraiser noted it requesting a structural engineer review. Bank is going along with it. I'm looking for a good authoritative reference (cause and effect) that the bank might accept in lieu of a $400 structural engineer. -
Tom Raymond Posted January 18, 2012 Report Posted January 18, 2012 It's a stretch, 'cause it's about slabs, but it is exactly the same issue and it's written by a PE. http://houstonslabfoundations.com/?p=110 If that were to happen here I'd file an official complaint against the appraiser for performing a home inspection without a license. I might even cc the bank.
Mike Lamb Posted January 18, 2012 Report Posted January 18, 2012 Anybody have a good authoritative reference for this. Click to Enlarge 95.06?KB Click to Enlarge 88.81?KB Appraiser noted it requesting a structural engineer review. Bank is going along with it. I'm looking for a good authoritative reference (cause and effect) that the bank might accept in lieu of a $400 structural engineer. - No reference other than my own experience. I've seen hundreds, maybe thousands, with no structural or seepage concerns. I've called it a "corner shear". A name I made up. It's not peculiar to brick veneer as the stated in the article Tom linked but just as harmless. I walked outside and took a pic of the corner of my own house which is solid masonry wall construction. Click to Enlarge 84.12?KB Click to Enlarge 74.12?KB
Nolan Kienitz Posted January 18, 2012 Report Posted January 18, 2012 Tom Witherspoon has his Phd and is a PE in the D/FW market and has written about "corner pops" or "wedge cracks". He is well respected and an involved engineer. Here is the URL to his website: Tom Witherspoon Below is what I put in my reports about the "corner pops" or "wedge cracks": Comment: Corner(s) of foundation were observed to be cracked. W. Tom Witherspoon, PE; has commented in his book: Residential Foundation Performance about cracked foundation corners: "Cracking at the corners is a very common feature in concrete foundations. It is very common to see spalling concrete, commonly called "wedge cracking" at the corners with no damage to the brick. This anomaly is normally caused by a thermal expansion coefficient difference between brick and concrete which terminates at the corners. Seldom is there a foundation problem, but it is very unsightly and must be repaired in severe cases."
Garet Posted January 19, 2012 Report Posted January 19, 2012 My understanding... Brick is the driest (and smallest) the day it leaves the kiln. It expands slightly as it gains moisture. Concrete shrinks slightly as it cures, and it never completely stops curing. Thus, the brick wall gains length as the foundation gets shorter. Different rates of thermal expansion/contraction also play into it. Eventually, the immovable object meets the irresistible force. Then, cracks happen. Clients sometimes ask about it. Even if not, I talk about it to make sure they know I saw it and that it's not a big deal. It does not make it into the report. I'd go outside and take a picture of the cracks on my own house, but it's dark, I'm lazy and they wouldn't look any different than the one you posted. Sorry, but I can't help you with an authoritative source to save the $400. Appraisers should stick to appraising.
hausdok Posted January 19, 2012 Report Posted January 19, 2012 I see it all the time but I've never accepted the premise that expansion causes it. I think it's just the weight of that veneer at that corner on the corner of a green not-yet-fully-cured foundation wall. Never seen it cause an issue,......ever. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike
Rob Amaral Posted January 19, 2012 Report Posted January 19, 2012 I see this all the time up here in the land of 4 real seasons... We had a PE in to an ASHI New England meeting once... did a seminar on brick masonry.. It's that coefficient of expansion thing.. It's supposedly worse/better depending on the type/color of the brick and sun exposure, wind, etc,...
kurt Posted January 19, 2012 Report Posted January 19, 2012 I see them all the time on frame structures; it's not just brick. I think it has more to do with thermal variance in the concrete than the cladding material, otherwise, how could it occur with a frame dwelling?
Garet Posted January 20, 2012 Report Posted January 20, 2012 I can't recall ever seeing it without brick veneer present.
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now