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I am having a new home built...its almost done, but there are two cracks in the garage floor, which have been sealed, however it is apparent that the garage slab has sunk on both outside sides of the cracks, leaving the garage floor somewhat un-level, so much so that you can easily see where the slab has sunk almost 1.5 inches below the original pour line, increasing as you go from the center of the garage to the outside walls. Even the stairs that enter the house from the garage are slanted because they are sitting on the un-level floor. In the middle where there are two large steel beams holding the support beam, it seems to be level, but on the sides it has sunk. I never noticed any of this until the garage was cleaned out.
I am concerned that if the garage slab sinks in the middle, where the vertical steel beams are, the second floor above the garage will be compromised.
I am wondering if there is a footing under these steel beams and that it is why they did not sink when the outside sections of the slab did?
Not surprisingly, builder says this is normal and will not fix. Is this settlement of an inch or so normal?
I am having a new home built...its almost done, but there are two cracks in the garage floor, which have been sealed, however it is apparent that the garage slab has sunk on both outside sides of the cracks, leaving the garage floor somewhat un-level, so much so that you can easily see where the slab has sunk almost 1.5 inches below the original pour line, increasing as you go from the center of the garage to the outside walls. Even the stairs that enter the house from the garage are slanted because they are sitting on the un-level floor. In the middle where there are two large steel beams holding the support beam, it seems to be level, but on the sides it has sunk. I never noticed any of this until the garage was cleaned out.
I am concerned that if the garage slab sinks in the middle, where the vertical steel beams are, the second floor above the garage will be compromised.
I am wondering if there is a footing under these steel beams and that it is why they did not sink when the outside sections of the slab did?
Not surprisingly, builder says this is normal and will not fix. Is this settlement of an inch or so normal?
I will be glad to give you my thoughts, but I need more information. But no, I don't believe ths is even close to normal.
First, what are you talking about when you talk about steel beams holding a support beam? When you say vertical steel beams you must be talking about columns.
Second, what is the support beam actually supporting? Is there a room above the garage?
Cracks in concrete are normal. All concrete cracks. However that much settling that soon is not normal. It is potentially a very serious problem. You might expect an inch of settlement in 50 - 75 years. What makes you think it is done settling? There is likely a foundation/soils problem. something cheap like mud jacking is probably only a temporary fix. In all likelihood you will either need to remove the slab or possible cut holes in it and drill caissons down to bedrock.
I hope this guy did not build your house too. This could be a small matter or it could be as big as having to jack up your house or even tear it down and rebuild it.
Also do not use a structural engineer provided or recommended by the builder. Get someone who works for you and has no connection to the builder. A good contractor may be able to give you some advice, probably without charging you, but that may not be enough. You should probably find out who was the civil engineer and geotech for your lot. You could start by asking them, but do not stop there. If they say it is OK get a second opinion. If they agree there is a problem, you know there is a problem, but if they suggest a cheap fix, get a second opinion.
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