OT: Retaining wall question

[AlSwearengen]

We have a pretty large retaining wall in our front yard that is made with block and covered in a thick layer of mortar smear. The wall/house is about ten months old right now. The other day, I was doing some yard work in front of the wall and noticed a very thin/small vertical crack in the mortar smear from the top of the wall almost to the bottom. Having dealt with the builders/construction people that we had, I'm convinced the house will fall in any day now.

It might just be natural for the smear to crack like that, but I am paranoid about it. Is there any way to tell if it is structural? Should I be worried about a small crack like that?

What if it is structural and is already falling apart? Should the builder/construction co. be held accountable? Thanks

 

[BulldogBlitz]

Fill crack with Dales, enjoy a Blue Moon while it dries.**

 

[Hoover Dawg]

We have a pretty large retaining wall in our front yard that is made with block and covered in a thick layer of mortar smear. The wall/house is about ten months old right now. The other day, I was doing some yard work in front of the wall and noticed a very thin/small vertical crack in the mortar smear from the top of the wall almost to the bottom. Having dealt with the builders/construction people that we had, I'm convinced the house will fall in any day now.

It might just be natural for the smear to crack like that, but I am paranoid about it. Is there any way to tell if it is structural? Should I be worried about a small crack like that?

What if it is structural and is already falling apart? Should the builder/construction co. be held accountable? Thanks

Vertical cracks are evidence of a severe structural issue. I would count on at least $15,000 worth of non-insurance spending.

Just kidding. But seeing how you've asked these questions before and never follow up with pictures or answers to any questions, you deserve to be kidded with.

 

[AlSwearengen]

Vertical cracks are evidence of a severe structural issue. I would count on at least $15,000 worth of non-insurance spending.

Just kidding. But seeing how you've asked these questions before and never follow up with pictures or answers to any questions, you deserve to be kidded with.

I'll try to get pics. I am tech challenged and just recently got an iPhone. Honestly, I don't know how well the crack would show up in a picture, it is that thin. I was mainly hoping to get some ideas about what to look for other than the thin crack. They built a footer, used rods and concrete inside of the wall, and anchored it at several spots to a large cement pour. I think I am permanently scarred from building a house.

 

[Hoover Dawg]

I'll try to get pics. I am tech challenged and just recently got an iPhone. Honestly, I don't know how well the crack would show up in a picture, it is that thin. I was mainly hoping to get some ideas about what to look for other than the thin crack. They built a footer, used rods and concrete inside of the wall, and anchored it at several spots to a large cement pour. I think I am permanently scarred from building house.

In all honesty it's probably not a big deal. Mortar cracks. Concrete cracks. If there's no shifting you likely don't have a big problem.

 

[Xenomorph]

Could be nothing, or..

..you might come out after the next rain and find the wall lying face down.

A block and mortar wall is tricky (at least more tricky than segmented retaining wall). If it doesn't drain properly, it's going to fail.

Concrete always shrinks. It'll crack if you don't have control joints. A mortar smear done without fibers mixed in will crack 100% of the time. But it doesn't necessarily mean your wall is coming down.

If you have a real problem there will be other (additional) signs.. The compacted soil settling behind the wall.. i.e: Holes forming at the top... a sign of erosion. Laymen's terms: Is dirt coming out the drain holes? That's bad.

Wet spots on the wall even in dry spells. A sign of poor drainage. Hydraulic pressure is THE cause of retaining wall failure.

Is the top of the wall no longer aligned... meaning there is a bulge. If you've got that after 6 months, just go ahead and grab your ankles before winter rains.

Was this the first rodeo for whoever built your retaining wall? Did they have long discussions and present different opinions and options (and prices) for getting the job done? A lot of retaining wall people will ask you... Do you want to do it once or save money and do it again?

 

[SwampDawg]

I'm not an engineer or construction guy, but I have lots of experience with "craftsmen." I would immediately put the builder on notice by registered letter that there is a crack, and also send a picture of the crack. Ask him in the letter to come out and take a look. Be nice at first. Whether he is or isn't going to come out you are at least building your case if you wind up in court. He will probably tell you is a minor crack, you can expect things like that, and so forth. Then keep an eye on that crack and look around for others in the future and document and notify. If it's bad tell him you will take him to court, with all the legal fees attached, unless he makes it right. Then do it. Don't let it go. Time is your enemy.

 

[T-TownDawgg]

Send the letter mentioned above. Smear is going to crack. Put a laser, transit, or taught string on the top run and check for sagging and monitor it.

 

[WrapItDog]

It's so dry in N. MS my cracks have cracks and I encourage people to pee in my pool**

 

[bulldogcountry1]

Is there any sort of drainage system behind/through the wall?

 

[The Peeper]

Your "mortar smear" is just cosmetic so you don't have to see blocks. This smear isn't going to crack in a continuous line, the wall under it is cracking for whatever reason, i.e. footer is settling, backfill is washing out (not likely w/ no rain, irrigation break behind it?) When Fall rains come and subsoil gets wet it may disappear until next summer when the ground shrinks again

 

[Uncle Ruckus]

Thought this was a Trump thread *

 

[sandwolf.sixpack]

We have a pretty large retaining wall in our front yard that is made with block and covered in a thick layer of mortar smear. The wall/house is about ten months old right now. The other day, I was doing some yard work in front of the wall and noticed a very thin/small vertical crack in the mortar smear from the top of the wall almost to the bottom. Having dealt with the builders/construction people that we had, I'm convinced the house will fall in any day now.

It might just be natural for the smear to crack like that, but I am paranoid about it. Is there any way to tell if it is structural? Should I be worried about a small crack like that?

What if it is structural and is already falling apart? Should the builder/construction co. be held accountable? Thanks

So your house is sitting on the retained soil, correct? If so, the builder is held liable for any major structural defects for 6 years under the MS New Home Warranty Act.....and if the retaining wall is supporting the soil under your foundation, and it fails, that would qualify as a major structural defect. That said, if it is a crack so small that it won't show up in a picture, it probably isn't anything to be concerned about. I would definitely keep an eye on it, but as long as it doesn't get worse, I wouldn't lose any sleep about a hairline crack.