that didn't take long...

[jpcjguy]

So my pad was poured today and while walking around I noticed a nice settling crack in the parging already. Block and parging was done 28 days ago.
Is this normal / acceptable? Learning as a go here!
Link to build thread: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=432438

 

[sberry]

Smear some more shat on it. Maybe dump some down a core or 2 there?

 

[dutchgray]

Don't think I have ever seen a masonry structure that wasn't cracked somewhere. Its only a problem if the cracks start opening up.

 

[seanc_mt]

2 guarantees come with concrete: It will crack. And it'll still be there after the fire.

 

[killer cougar]

That's just fine unless the crack starts getting bigger.

Side story:
We just finished our house in a new neighborhood and I was talking to the builder and one of the other buyers of a new construction home had a home inspector inspect the house before the purchase. Everything checked out perfectly fine except the parging was cracked along the grout line just like yours. The inspector had the home buyers convinced that the foundation for the house was bad and would need to be repaired and they almost walked out. The builder had to bring in an engineer and show them progress photos to convince them that the house was going to be just fine.

 

[nh_yota]

2 guarantees come with concrete: It will crack. And it'll still be there after the fire.

My buddy's uncle is an excavation/concrete contractor and he says the only time concrete doesn't crack is when it's still in the truck.

 

[Grimpala]

2 types of concrete, that that is cracked, and that that will crack.

 

[MFolks]

Was reading today,a University made microspheres of fly ash,that can absorb water,slowly releasing in the concrete mix,reducing the chances of cracking,a good use of the by products of Coal power plants

 

[ynned]

I thought fly ash was already microspheres. It was explained to me that's why it's used in high flow mixes; it won't settle out like sand does when it has to run long distances.

 

[Bad00SS]

mine took about 45 days and I had a 6 foot crack in the floor. its never opened up. I don't worry about it. only thing the concrete company can guarantee is it will crack eventually lol.

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

2 types of concrete, that that is cracked, and that that will crack.

The other side of this is that its tendency to crack is often used as an excuse for poor job done by the contractor.

 

[Grimpala]

The other side of this is that its tendency to crack is often used as an excuse for poor job done by the contractor.

Correct, however, it's all going to crack.

 

[Grimpala]

Was reading today,a University made microspheres of fly ash,that can absorb water,slowly releasing in the concrete mix,reducing the chances of cracking,a good use of the by products of Coal power plants

I thought fly ash was already microspheres. It was explained to me that's why it's used in high flow mixes; it won't settle out like sand does when it has to run long distances.

Fly ash has about as much business being in concrete as corn does in gasoline.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

Correct, however, it's all going to crack.

I hear that a lot. Funny that the jobs I've done myself have only cracked at the control joints. The stuff I hired pros for have cracked within 6 months. Big thanks to the guys that poured my garage floor and broke a chunk out removing the form that afternoon. I wish they had let me remove them the next day. (I would have even provided the 10 ft 2x4s and stakes myself)

 

[GMCGarage]

any time you put a thin rigid shell on a more flexible building material, its going to crack.

 

[Walter_TA]

I do not agree. Most concrete cracks because it is poured it with to much water in it. As the water comes out on the concrete will shrink. If it has not gained strength it will crack. If you don't want it to crack pour at a slump of 4 or less. Use super P to make it flow. Keep the top wet and leave the forms on for a week, that will let it cure. Make sure you use fiber, that will hold it together till it gains adequate strength to not crack. Concrete done right will not crack.

 

[Grimpala]

I hear that a lot. Funny that the jobs I've done myself have only cracked at the control joints. The stuff I hired pros for have cracked within 6 months. Big thanks to the guys that poured my garage floor and broke a chunk out removing the form that afternoon. I wish they had let me remove them the next day. (I would have even provided the 10 ft 2x4s and stakes myself)

A crack is a crack, there is a reason it's called a control joint...to help control where the cracking occurs.