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<br /> <br />Look at OUTSIDE/ <br />INSIDE <br /> <br />Foundation and <br />basement wa I 15. <br /> <br />, <br />;.'i-. <br /> <br />Exter I or wa I 15 <br />(Brick, block, <br />stucco) . <br /> <br />(Wood) <br /> <br />FJrep I ace and <br />chimney. <br /> <br />LoOk at INSIDE <br /> <br />Basement f loars <br /> <br />Sumps, dralos, <br />sump pumps In <br />basement and <br />around foundation. <br /> <br />I r1t er 1 or wa I Is, <br />doors, and <br />cei II Og5. <br /> <br />Observation <br /> <br />Vertical or near-vertical cracks <br />open at the top or bottom. <br /> <br />Cracks open on Inside but not on <br />outside. <br /> <br />Cracks 1 n masonry we I 15, a long <br />joints and across bricks and <br />blocks. Windows and doors may not <br />operate properly. <br /> <br />Movement may only show around <br />windows and doors due to <br />flexibility of structure. <br /> <br />Cracks In masonry. <br /> <br />Masonry Intact but chimney pulling <br />away from structure. <br /> <br />Cracks across slab or parallel to wall <br />so floor shows upward movement. Check <br />furnace duct work and Interior <br />partition walls for distress. <br /> <br />If these dewatering systems exist, <br />look for evidence of past wet or <br />flooded basement. <br /> <br />Cracks with offsets In plaster. <br />drywall, wallpaper, often most <br />noticeable around door and window <br />panes. <br /> <br />Significance <br /> <br />If clay 50115, foundation movement <br />caused by swelling 50115. If slits <br />and sands, settlement Is the <br />probable cause of movement. If <br />severe, can cause damage to rest <br />of structure. <br /> <br />Indicates inward movement of <br />foundation or basement wall <br />caused by externa I pressure. <br />Cou I d be m I nor back f II I prob I em <br />or major slope Instability. <br /> <br />Probable foundation movement <br />caused by swelling and settling <br />50115. <br /> <br />D if ferent I a I sett I ement of <br />foundation can cause openIngs In <br />flue II nar I ncreas I ng fIre hazard <br />and/or pu III ng of ch I mney away <br />from structure. <br /> <br />Fireplace foundation rotating away <br />from structure and/or foundation. <br /> <br />Swelling solis causing heave of <br />slab. If basement is unfinished, <br />may be only cosmetic problem unless <br />furnace and utilities are affected. <br />If basement Is finished, problem may <br />be serious causing major damage to <br />walls, doors, and wi ndows. <br /> <br />Indicates high or perched <br />groundwater conditions are possible. <br />Pumps require maintenance. Drains <br />may plug. If malfunctioning, <br />basement or crawl space may then <br />become wet or flooded. <br /> <br />May only Indicate shrinkage or <br />of wood frame. Can also indicate <br />foundation or basement slab movement <br />from swelling or collapsing soils. <br /> <br />Act I on <br /> <br />Keep surface and <br />subsurface water <br />away from founda- <br />tion. Investigate <br />for structural <br />damage. <br /> <br />Determine cause and <br />correct: remove and <br />rep I ace backf III or <br />stabi Ilze slope. <br /> <br />As noted above for <br />foundation movement. <br /> <br />Check structural <br />integrity for fire <br />safety. <br /> <br />Jack back Into place <br />or rebuild. <br /> <br />Determine if correc- <br />tive or structural <br />damage. Repair may <br />be very costly. <br /> <br />Check for proper <br />operation and <br />ascertain past <br />history. <br /> <br />Determine cause. <br />May require <br />structural repair <br />or cosmetic <br />attention. <br /> <br />59 <br />