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busybeeinsc

crack in brand new concrete slab - what can be done?

9 years ago

The concrete slab under our raised house (we're in a flood zone) was poured 8 days ago and the expansion joints were cut 7 days ago. Yesterday I saw that there is a fine, jagged crack that runs across the entire width of the house, pretty much in the center, lengthwise. There are many CMU piers under the house, and the crack runs from the edge of the house to one pier, and then to another pier, and then to another pier, and then to the other edge. Prior to the concrete being poured they brought in 5 large trucks of dirt and raised the ground level about 16 inches, compacting it for hours as they worked.

I have not called the company that did the work yet and I wanted to know what are the possible fixes that I should expect them to make. Also - does it seem that maybe the dirt wasn't compacted enough? Will I likely get more cracks? My next door neighbor's house (completed several months ago, but the concrete was poured a year ago) was raised about the same amount and they have not had any cracks.

I appreciate any input on this!

Comments (9)

  • 9 years ago

    Was there rebar in the slab?

    busybeeinsc thanked just_janni
  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    How large is a "fine crack"? A photo would be helpful.

    The saw cuts are control joints that do not go all the way through the slab and are intended to encourage the inevitable cracks to form there instead of elsewhere. An expansion joint is a separation between slabs to allow differential movement.

    Its impossible to know if the slab was poured properly but I suspect a high water content, poor curing efforts, insufficient reinforcement, or hot/dry/windy weather.

    If this is essentially a cosmetic issues, it should only matter if the slab is exposed.

    busybeeinsc thanked User
  • PRO
    9 years ago

    I would definitely get a structural engineer to take a look at it-- an independent one, not someone associated with the foundation crew. A few dollars spent on that consultation will either give you peace of mind or a good solution.

    busybeeinsc thanked Build Your House Yourself University (BYHYU)
  • 9 years ago

    I'm surprised they added dirt and not gravel, so it wouldn't compact.

    busybeeinsc thanked Andy
  • PRO
    9 years ago

    Inquire with the construction company about your concerns. Get all correspondences with the construction company in writing, and follow BYHYU's advice.

    busybeeinsc thanked Mark Bischak, Architect
  • 9 years ago

    Thanks for all the input and advice. I will email the foundation company with my concerns, and also get a structural engineer to look at it. We did get a soil test done before any construction began to make sure that the soil could hold the structure. But no tests were done after the additional soil was brought in and compacted for the concrete slab.

  • 9 years ago

    therein lies the problem. we had a soil compaction test done at each 8" lift. the equipment is very specialized and reads the moisture content of the soil (it has be under 5% I believe) and then uses radiation to test the compaction, etc.

    It very much has to be done after each successive amount of fill. In fact - it's the most important reading.

  • 9 years ago

    Is this a basement floor? Or a parking pad fpr cars? Or something else? The answer you are going to get is that small cracks are to be expected and will not impact the structural properties of the concrete. Which I would tend to believe.