By: Barry Stone
Dear Barry,
My parents have an older home, built in the 1940's. About 25 years ago, a large development was built next to their property, and fill soil was moved to the construction site so that homes could be built on a higher elevation. Shortly afterward, the area was hit by Hurricane Agnes and since that time there have been cracks in my parents foundation. Who should we call to evaluate this problem, a home inspector or a structural engineer? -- Carolyn
Dear Carolyn,
Not all foundation cracks are structural in nature. Hairline cracks can be found in the majority of homes and are typical of normal building stresses. In 1940's homes, foundation cracks are common because structural standards were not the same as today.
If the cracks in your parents' home are wider than 1/8 of an inch, there could be significant settlement problems, in which case an engineering evaluation would be appropriate. A qualified engineer can evaluate the extent of the cracking, determine the most likely causes, and propose the most appropriate means of correction. These cracks may or may not be the result of the nearby construction and/or the notorious Agnes. An engineer could make a determination in this regard.
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