Crack in the wall

[Marcel R. Cyr]

Good point Jae;

I keep forgetting to check the dishwasher, my wife usually takes care of that inspection.

Marcel

[Jay Moge]

Hay aren't we taught to "test under normal working condition" as the home owner would? Just doin' my part.

[Jason A. Sieg, CMI]

Originally Posted by rray

Drywall seam crack.

Here's a discussion I wrote on cracks that I include in my Interactive Report System Version 2:

Russel,
Is this from your IRS System???

[Russel Ray]

Jason, have you been hitting the margaritas?

In my quote is "Interactive Report System Version 2"

And then you ask if it is from my IRS.

Interactive Report System Version 2 = IRS

So the answer, of course, is "Yes."

Now I want you to lay off the margaritas for a couple of hours, okay? If you have some left over, just send them my way.

[Robert J. OConnor]

Originally Posted by jburk2

The crack runs down from the bottom of the window to the floor and although noticable, wasn't very wide ... Here's the problem, there was a negative grade found in the landscape right outside of the window in question (underneath a deck/balcony) and the ground outside at the wall was very wet.

On the surface the pic/description doesn't seem that serious. But keep yours eyes and mind open. If that is a pic of cracked drywall it may indicate a crack in the foundation beyond, which could be more serious if the drywall is not that old and the walls were furred out with lumber.

In addition, If there is foundation wall cracking in the area where the grade pitches towards the foundation, there is likely water penetration ... and possible water damage and mold that may not be readily visible.

Observe and Report ... thats the job, and don't try to guess at things you can't see ...

[Senthil Puliyadi]

Originally Posted by roconnor

Observe and Report ... thats the job, and don't try to guess at things you can't see ...

Hi Robert,
This comment is specifically for you since you are an engineer.

What do you do in a situation where additional engineering thought is needed to identify the problem and remedy the same? Do you charge additional fee for it? Or, simply you report and tacitly tell the buyer that the situation needs additional engineering.

Thanks,
Senthil

[Robert J. OConnor]

Originally Posted by Senthil Puliyadi

What do you do in a situation where additional engineering thought is needed to identify the problem and remedy the same?

For a while I have been concentrating more on the engineering, and getting away from doing inspections. But if I did a home inspection I would advise clients that I am also a structural engineer, and if there are indications of any potential structural problems I could spend the extra time to look more closely into the issue for an additional fee.

[Brian E. Kelly]

Originally Posted by bkelly2

Wood frame house? Small crack in the drywall, probably nothing.

Seeing a crack on the BB and seeing it durring an inspection are two different things.

Wood frame houses get drywall cracks, most are of no great concern.

[Marcel R. Cyr]

Sorry guys, and no offense Robert, but a crack in the drywall as shown in the original pic, certainly does not require a Structural Engineer to figure out.

This is obviously a shrinkage crack that is normal with drywall construction. I see this on a regular basis and are usually corrected within the one year warranty. Sometimes these cracks necessitate installing a permenant control joint, re-taped and painted.
We are dealing with wood here and material that is installed with no enviromental evironment protection while it is being done.

Moiture intrusion on to the material, before it is all said and done could be exactly what is needed to create these cracks.

Home Inspector= Crack in the drywall, should be monitored to make sure that it is not related to movement of the structure. Any increase in size, should be evaluated by a Credintial Contractor and/or Engineer.

Case closed.

Marcel