Cracks

[rmaday]

I'd apreciate any comments on these. SE needed?

1950's home - Step crack on front exterior (seems to have been "repaired") - vetical crak below window, crack in ceiling and matching diagonal cracks over opening from LR to kitchen.

See diagram

Also, right read was "sealed" at some point - evidence of water intrusion in this rear area.

TIA

[rmaday]

More pics

[Billy Boerner]

Yes sir IMO one is needed.

http://www.myfoundationrepairs.com/Cracks.asp

[Billy Boerner]

http://www.myfoundationrepairs.com/S...nd_Windows.asp

[rmaday]

Nice site, but these are not in the foundation

[Wayne B. Wilson]

Rick was there any walls removed at anytime that you know of?
And how was the sill plate?

[Billy Boerner]

Originally Posted by rmaday

Nice site, but these are not in the foundation

I was wondering about that. Didn't see much with the foundation. What did you see in the attic?

[rmaday]

Originally Posted by bboerner

I was wondering about that. Didn't see much with the foundation. What did you see in the attic?

Nothing...

[Billy Boerner]

Originally Posted by rmaday

Nothing...

How could you its covered always love covered attics lol. Looks as if the floor is bowed a bit. Did you take a level to it? Did you take a level to all the floors and door frames? Did any doors stick? Could you see more light on side than the other? What was the sill like? Any broke boards attached to the sill? Any WDO damage to the sill? Any checking involved with the sill?

[Billy Boerner]

Any repairs made to the foundation and by chance they were to lazy to fix the cracks?

[Bob Elliott]

Looks like 1957 house to be exact (am I right?)

Door frame cracks are 100% normal on a diagonal like that.

Step cracking bothers me the most ,but this is a 1957? and I would recommend monitoring.

Bet it was original owner selling or moved to a senior home. Am I good or what.

Seriously if the foundation was ok it may not be to bad.
Going to go so far as to guess Pushmatic breakers.

P.S side note ( bet the toilet was Pink or Blue)

[rmaday]

Originally Posted by belliott

Looks like 1957 house to be exact (am I right?)

Door frame cracks are 100% normal on a diagonal like that.

Step cracking bothers me the most ,but this is a 1957? and I would recommend monitoring.

Bet it was original owner selling or moved to a senior home. Am I good or what.

Seriously if the foundation was ok it may not be to bad.
Going to go so far as to guess Pushmatic breakers.

P.S side note ( bet the toilet was Pink or Blue)

Well Carnac, you're pretty close.

Don't know the exact year, but certainly 50's.

Owner passed.

Fuses, no breakers.

Toilet was rplaced, but kitchen had pink tile on the walls.

[Bob Elliott]

Originally Posted by rmaday

Well Carnac, you're pretty close.

Don't know the exact year, but certainly 50's.

Owner passed.

Fuses, no breakers.

Toilet was rplaced, but kitchen had pink tile on the walls.

Ok
Let us know which route you decide.

I doubt it is falling down anytime soon though as this Close to bungalow style house is real brick and the foundation looks good from what you stated.

The attic may have had poor ventilation.

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

Recommending a structural engineer would imply that you feel the structural integrity of the building has been compromised. Based on the information you've posted, I don't believe that to be the case.

With the frequent seismic activity in CA, these conditions wouldn't be much of a concern.

Absent of earthquakes, I would be more inclined to recommend a geological evaluation in order to determine the cause of the movement.

[Philip LaMachio]

The ceiling crack likely follows the joint of the gypsum (or metal) lath that is under the plaster. This crack may occur irrespective of any settling of the structure, but because of its location, may be connected to it.

In any case, if slight pressure were applied to the ceiling at the crack, and ceiling moved up and down, then the ceiling system has an attachment problem. It is possible that nails were used to hold lath up and they are now pulling out of the joist.

I have written extensively about this on my website page titled 'Transitional Ceilings'

Hope this helps,
Philip LaMachio
www.estateplaster.com