All Forum Posts by: Robert S.

Quote from @John Coulter:

That hairline crack is not (yet) a structural problem and is not uncommon to see within the first couple years. And your builder may be right, that most of the water entered through the window... you should be able to tell where the water line is. Once again, if you had proper surface drainage, you wouldn't have water coming in the crack or pooling in the window well. You can seal it up, but it's still a very small bandaid. From what I remember, Utah residential code does not require foundation drainage and therefore, no window well drains (where would it go?). It does however require specific grading (2% over 10 ft extending away from the house). Which if not possible (your side yard), should require physical drainage (french drain, surface drain, etc). Call your city's building department and they can verify this- you may need to talk to a building inspector. 

As for the studs/ framing- it def looks scabby but they aren't structural and I'm guessing the demo team cut 1 or 2 out to see that crack. Easy enough to put it back together.

 Perfect. Thanks John. 

Quote from @Theresa Harris:

Quote from @Robert S.:

can you please check these pictures and advice? The builder is saying that most of the water enter through the window and not the crack to protect themselves I guess. How to prove that the water actually entered through the foundation crack? What are your thoughts with this size of a crack?Thanks everyone @John Coulter

@John Coulter

 Some of those joists end in mid-air-why?  They should be going all the way down to the ground.  I've never seen a window framed that way. Normally there is a joist running along the outside.

My knowledge on framing is very limited. The restoration company had to cut the drywall out and remove some of the studs. Can you please tell me or possibly highlight and show me which joists are you referring to?

can you please check these pictures and advice? The builder is saying that most of the water enter through the window and not the crack to protect themselves I guess. How to prove that the water actually entered through the foundation crack? What are your thoughts with this size of a crack?Thanks everyone @John Coulter

@John Coulter

@John Underwood can you please check these pictures and advice? The builder is saying that most of the water enter through the window and not the crack to protect themselves I guess. How to prove that the water actually entered through the foundation crack? What are your thoughts with this size of a crack? Thanks brother. 

Quote from @John Underwood:

Quote from @Robert S.:

Thanks for everyone's help with this. Very much appreciated. The restoration guys found a foundation crack which caused the water to enter the basement from the window well. They said they can seal the crack right away. Should I wait for the builder to come take a look at the crack or just go ahead and seal the crack now? I just don't want to the builder to think that this was not caused by the crack once sealed and hence not accept responsibility of the structural problem. They have a 10 year structural warranty. Please offer your insights asap if possible. Thanks everyone. @Leo R. @John Underwood

 I would show it to the builder first.

This problem has clearly been ongoing and never resolved so he should correct it.

 Thanks John

The restoration guys found a foundation crack which caused the water to enter the basement from the window well. They said they can seal the crack right away. Should I wait for the builder to come take a look at the crack or just go ahead and seal the crack now? I just don't want to the builder to think that this was not caused by the crack once sealed and hence not accept responsibility of the structural problem. They have a 10 year structural warranty. Please offer your insights asap if possible. Thanks. @Benjamin Aaker

Thanks for everyone's help with this. Very much appreciated. The restoration guys found a foundation crack which caused the water to enter the basement from the window well. They said they can seal the crack right away. Should I wait for the builder to come take a look at the crack or just go ahead and seal the crack now? I just don't want to the builder to think that this was not caused by the crack once sealed and hence not accept responsibility of the structural problem. They have a 10 year structural warranty. Please offer your insights asap if possible. Thanks everyone. @John Coulter @Theresa Harris @Matthew Paul

Thanks for everyone's help with this. Very much appreciated. The restoration guys found a foundation crack which caused the water to enter the basement from the window well. They said they can seal the crack right away. Should I wait for the builder to come take a look at the crack or just go ahead and seal the crack now? I just don't want to the builder to think that this was not caused by the crack once sealed and hence not accept responsibility of the structural problem. They have a 10 year structural warranty. Please offer your insights asap if possible. Thanks everyone. @Leo R. @John Underwood

@John Coulter I really appreciate your advice. I will take another video later today from the front of the home and post it for your reference. 

@Theresa Harris yes the one hose is from my house. The hoses that you see behind the standing water in the yard are the neighbors. I am going to take another video today covering the front of the house to the backyard and post it later today. Thank you very much.