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What is a Step Crack?

By
Home Inspector with Bay Area Home Inspection, LLC WI 739-106

I am sure many of you have seen inspection reports where step cracks have been found somewhere on the foundation of the home or garage. So, the question is; is that a major concern? Answer, it depends.

If the crack is narrow (hairline) and is not monothithic, it generally means that movement has stopped. Here is an example.

Minor Step Crack

The Crack is visible showing some movement had occured in the past, but the movement has stopped.

 

In some cases, however, a footing has failed and movement has not stopped. My job is to know the difference. How bad cana failed footing be?

Take a look at this garage. It has been moving for 40 years now.

Step Crack with movement

Step Crack view from front

So, step cracks can be a major problem. It depends upon the cause and the clues a licensed and trained Home Inspector can decipher.

 

Randy Ostrander
Lake and Lodge Realty LLC - Big Rapids, MI
Real Estate Broker, Serving Big Rapids and West Central MI

Lucky it is the garage and not the basement holding their house up.

May 11, 2010 08:29 PM
Yvette Chisholm
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. - Rockville, MD
Associate Broker - Rockville, MD 301-758-9500

Hi Walt, thanks for the lesson on "step cracks".  I don't like any foundation cracks....definitely worth a reblog!

Aug 02, 2010 01:21 AM
Yvette Chisholm
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. - Rockville, MD
Associate Broker - Rockville, MD 301-758-9500

Walt, your reblog is not checked off for this message...let me know if you turn it on...

Aug 02, 2010 01:22 AM
Walt Fish
Bay Area Home Inspection, LLC - Marquette, MI
Upper Michigan's Most Experienced Home Inspector

Yvette,

I just turned it on

Aug 02, 2010 03:37 AM