I've noticed a significant crack in my basement wall since we moved in. It runs the entire length of the wall and is about half an inch wide at its widest. I had it inspected by an engineer and my civil engineer uncle, and they said it wasn't a concern since it hadn't moved. However, I've recently seen a tiny bit of movement, which has caused a door above it to stop latching properly. I'm curious about how concerned I should be about this crack. I've ordered some monitoring devices to keep an eye on it, but I'm wondering if it's something that needs immediate attention or if I can just monitor it for now. Eventually, I would like to finish the basement and add drywall over it. Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated!
2 Answers
I recommend bringing in a few foundation companies to get their take on the situation. Just so you know, horizontal cracks are often considered less serious than vertical ones, but it's always good to get multiple opinions. However, keep in mind, some companies may push for more than what's really needed since they want to sell their services.
It's definitely concerning that a door above the crack has stopped latching, as that indicates some movement. Given that the crack is half an inch wide and spans the full wall, it's wise to keep monitoring it. If things change and the crack continues to widen, it's a good idea to call in a foundation specialist before moving to your basement project. Usually, it's cheaper to reinforce early on than to wait until it becomes a bigger issue. If it stabilizes, you could just seal it and finish up without too much hassle.