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Hi! We just purchased a 10 yr old home built on a slab foundation. We are having the carpeting downstairs replaced and when they ripped it up there were big, long cracks in the concrete foundation.
The cracks are about 1 inch wide and pretty long. Do we need to do anything about these before the carpeting is put down? Should we be concerned? I know nothing about slab.
Location: Visitation between Wal-Mart & Home Depot
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A 1" crack is probably not something I would want to ignore. Is one face of the crack higher than the other? It isn't necessarily less of a problem if it isn't, but you definitely have a problem if it is.
A slab that is poured the right way over properly prepared ground that doesn't dry out too much or stay too wet shouldn't develop 1" cracks. You may want to seek an opinion from a CPE.
I agree with Jim above. Concrete does crack, it's the nature of the beast. But 1" ???? Are you sure it's 1" wide cracks? A crack would not show up under carpeting but a one inch crack the carpeting would belly into it.
Normally when a slab is poured there are Re-bars criss crossing so when the concrete cracks, the slab will remain surfaced flushed. If one side of the crack is higher as Jim mentioned then you have no Re-bar and you have other problems.
Are you in an earthquake prone area? That is the only time I have known of a crack that wide showing up.
I would be getting some professional advice on this situation.
Just curious - do you have an attached garage? Is it cracked there, also? And driveway? Do any of your outdoor steps look like they have "sunken" or are slightly tilted?
Well, it's definitely something to take care of before doing anything. Generally they are filled with an epoxy injection to prevent further propagation of cracks and fill any void. It's not inexpensive.
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