New garage floor-extensive cracking

[vtecintegra]

New construction. Garage floor poured about 18 months ago. At the six month mark there were about 5 cracks, up to 6 feet long. Now at 18 months, cracks continue to appear and there are probably at least 25.

My problem is the same old song and dance, builder says they must be a 1/4"wide before they will consider it a problem (so far they are just under credit card width).

I've searched the internet trying to find a standard regarding the number of cracks. Everything I find references width or vertical displacement. Is there anything I can use to argue a concrete problem based on an excessive "number" of cracks?

What kills me is the identical house next door that went up just after mine does not have one crack in the garage.

 

[03ranger]

First, have you had a chance to review the building plans? if not, the plans should be on file with your local government. Check the plans under “Concrete requirements to see if the job required any type of specifications. You will usually see something like “to confirm to latest A.C.I. standards” (American Concrete Institute). If the plans do show that the job was to meet the latest A.C.I. standards, then hire an outside A.C.I. inspector to review the floor and get a written report.

Once the above has been completed, and it in your favor; you have several options:
1. Contact the builder show him the report and give him one last chance.
2. Contact the state contractor board
3. Contact his bonding company
4. Or contact a lawyer that specializes in construction defects

I would opt for number 4 and let the lawyer handle it.

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Skip the lawyer and try to make a deal or mutually beneficial arrangement. Nobody wins once the lawyer gets involved.


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[ConCretin]

Where to start? Before we jump to all sorts of conclusions, maybe we can try and determine a few facts. Let's start with a few questions.

How big is the slab?

Are there any control joints?

What was the mix design?

Can the slump as placed be verified?

What was the weather at the time of placement?

Is the slab reinforced?

The answers to these questions will likely give rise to more and pictures would sure help but we need to start somewhere.

 

[UTCiv]

New construction. Garage floor poured about 18 months ago. At the six month mark there were about 5 cracks, up to 6 feet long. Now at 18 months, cracks continue to appear and there are probably at least 25.

My problem is the same old song and dance, builder says they must be a 1/4"wide before they will consider it a problem (so far they are just under credit card width).

I've searched the internet trying to find a standard regarding the number of cracks. Everything I find references width or vertical displacement. Is there anything I can use to argue a concrete problem based on an excessive "number" of cracks?

What kills me is the identical house next door that went up just after mine does not have one crack in the garage.

Do you have pictures of the cracks and the rest of the work for an overall representation of the quality? Were sawcuts performed in a timely manner and proper curing performed? How well as the base material compacted and was the surface at the correct grade and fairly uniform?

I'm not expecting that you have all of those answers, but those are the things that the contractor might be contractually obliged to provide that weren't.

 

[DFB]

Sorry to hear that often nothing more disappointing than certain new construction that's somewhat less than perfect.

I had a similar situation where my basement garage slab developed hairline stress cracks in several sections even with all the control cuts. Lot of variables as to why.

If it's any reassurance nothing's ever moved in just about 20 years time and after a while you don't even notice them.

Be surprised if there's much of anything the contractor can/will do about it though.

 

[Evilcactuar]

That's crazy! I'd be most concerned that cracks are still forming at 18 months. I would consider doing a core drill and see what they actually poured, what the strength of it is, and what was under it. I'm no expert, but that's where my head would be at. I'm assuming from your description that this is a garage poured inside footings?