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Construction & Contractors/cracks around sink pipes in the new house floor

Expert: Michael Hughes - 12/17/2008

Question

Dear Michael,

I have a question about cracks on the floor in my new house. The house is at the Central Florida region, which a builder is still building for us. Currently, the foundation, the pipes, the walls and the roof are done, with the dry wall installed at the next step. But I noticed there are three very long cracks on the floor around the kitchen sink pipe, two of which extend to the boundary of the foundation and are at least 30 feet long. The size of the crack is less than 1/8 inch wide and 1/8 inch deep currently since the slab is only one month old. I was wondering whether you can tell me what you think about the crack. What causes the cracks? Where can I find an engineer to inspect them? Thanks!

Shawn

Answer
It is not unusual for concrete to crack along a waste pipe in the floor. I would ask the builder to provide an engineer's report on the severity or structural impact of the cracks on your home. You should not have to pay for this, make it the builder's responsibility.
I hope this helps.