Expert: Richard Taylor, AIA - 7/4/2004

Question
Hi Richard,

My house is newly built about 6 years ago. Now I have noticed cracks on quite many areas around the house here and there. I thought it could be due to the contracting of soil, and perhaps not getting enough rain. But it could not be that bad, maybe it is the bad soil structure of the base when the builders first built the house.

I have used some polyfiller to patch up the cracks, which is a temporary solution I can only think of. It is a double brick, 2 storey house.

Just asking for some advice if anything can be done to fix the problem.
Thanks.

Answer
Jack:

Thanks for your question!

Did I read correctly that your house is solid brick, not brick veneer over framing?  That's very unusual for a new home - what part of the country are you in?

The cracks can be caused by any number of things; I'll need more information to make a diagnosis.  Exactly what is the construction of the house?  What kind of foundation?  Is there a basement or crawlspace, or a slab?  What direction do the cracks run (vertical, horizontal, diagonal)?  Where on the house are the cracks located?

Cracking is usually caused by settling of the foundation.  Some settling is normal, as is some minor cracking in the foundation walls.  But more serious cracking indicates something else.  Often it's water making it's way to the foundation from disconnected or plugged downspouts, or poor grading along the foundation wall.  Keeping downspouts open and flowing freely is the #1 maintenance task of a homeowner.

Most states require a 10-year warranty on the structural integrity of a home; if that's the case in your state, get in touch with the home's builder immediately and ask him to remedy the problem.

If you can give me some more information, I can try to help a little more.

Richard Taylor, AIA
Richard Taylor Architects, LLC
www.rtastudio.com