Demystifying Cracks for Home Inspectors at the 2020 Professional Inspectors Convention

This class recording, from the 2020 Professional Inspectors Convention, focuses on the differences in foundation cracks that home inspectors commonly encounter. Home inspectors should be knowledgeable enough to recognize whether cracks and other readily visible evidence of structural movement warrant further evaluation by a structural engineer or not. All concrete cracks, but all cracks are not equal. Is a crack a simple stress crack, shrinkage crack, thermal expansion-contraction crack, some type of mechanical damage, or actual foundation movement? What is the crack doing? Cracks are pieces of the inspection puzzle that we assemble on every inspection. But when should we call for further evaluation by a structural engineer?

[@zunedog31]

Never thought I'd learn so much about my crack

[@internachi]

Ha.

[@kenton6098]

Lon's classes are fun, he's got a great sense of humor and a lot of knowledge! A great book on cracks is "Field Guide to Crack Patterns in Buildings" by Harry S. Audell

[@internachi]

Thanks for the feedback, Harry. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@EPGohlke]

Excellent video!

[@internachi]

Thank you very much!

[@victormartiny7599]

Thanx Lon ! You da man !

[@internachi]

I appreciate that! Thanks for watching.

[@evanpatten4101]

The crack at 26:00 seems to have a hinge in the top side of the foundation, is this seemingly evidence of heaving on one side of the foundation or is the the grade sliding and taking the foundation with it? I guess what I'm trying to ask is what would cause this type of crack in the fountain?

[@internachi]

Good questions.

[@aliasalias3366]

Hello you showed and part of your video the cracking in a tile and you mentioned if it's on a slab Foundation than it's definitely movement in the foundation. We're looking at a house right now it's got tile flooring and all of the tile in a row in one area the center of the living room is cracked and there is some pretty wide cracks they go all the way through the center of the living room through the kitchen what are your thoughts

[@internachi]

You may want to ask Lon himself that question. He's at www.nachi.org/certified-inspectors/lon-henderson-cmi-53115

[@jennifermccrary2552]

Hi, my home is brand new build. The bedrooms on the second floor and in the hallways theres horizontal cracks on the middle of the walls. Is that normal new home settling or something more serious? Also, on the exterior some bricks and mortar have cracks.

[@internachi]

Ask your local inspector at www.inspectorseek.com to take a look.

[@carlosluque3285]

Waooo thank so much for this cvideo thank you great .

[@internachi]

Most welcome 😊

[@specializedconstructioncol7797]

Hey Lon Henderson Great Video, I did have some questions, can you contact me sometime? Thanks

[@internachi]

Lon is at www.nachi.org/certified-inspectors/lon-henderson-cmi-53115

[@KeithsTVHD1]

Great video!

[@internachi]

Glad you enjoyed watching the video.