My mom is building a house. I hope you can help. The foundation was poured on a very hot day and immediately there were a few large cracks in the foundation of about ½". The cracks have been repaired with epoxy. There is no rebar in the foundation. The plans didn't call for it. The soil is expansive and recent rains and the roof (concrete tile) has brought several more small hairline cracks. There is no up and down movement of the cracks. They are level. No more large cracks have shown up other than the initial ones. These are the questions:

1. The soils were supposedly compacted and there is a report and it passed with the city inspectors. On paper, everything looks good. The contractor and the concrete contractor say there is no problem with the slab, but we donÂt know why it is cracking.

2. The contractor who was helping her has been fired, but is sketchy.

3. What's the best way to proceed on this? I don't want to open an unnecessary can of worms, but my mom wants to put in travertine and I'm afraid that if the floor cracks more the travertine will also crack and it's expensive. What type of flooring (besides vinyl ~~ no vinyl please!!) would be the best? Wood? Is there a way to install travertine on a slab like this?

4. I've been checking on the internet and I've heard of piping in concrete if there are areas under the slab that need filling or if the compaction of the soil is wrong.

5. Have any of you had to do the high pressure concrete? Have you heard of anyone who has? Is it expensive?

6. Any idea of the best way to proceed? Protect my mom, but be smart about it too?

7. If you have a ¼ inch crack in your slab does that mean the footprint of your home is 1/4 inch bigger?

8. Last question: The footings are much deeper. If the slab is cracking, but the footings arenÂt, is this more of a cosmetic thing?

Thx. Katie