AboutDominic J. Maltese, Jr. Expertise Construction industry related questions. Issues on construction, careers in construction, marketing construction, starting a construction company, cost estimating. These are a few examples.
Experience Twenty seven years as a general contractor (15 as a construction manager and design-builder).
Organizations Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) - Detroit Chapter (President in 1999), American Society of Professional Estimators - Detroit Chapter (President in 1994-95), Construction Association of Michigan, National Home Builders Association.
Publications Estimator - the magazine for American Society of Profession Estimators, also, the Detroit Chapter of AGC magazine.
Education/Credentials Associate of Science in Construction Technology, Instructor for STP classes (Superintendents Training) for AGC, lecturer at University of Detroit School of Architecture on Cost Estimating.
Awards and Honors 1998 Franklin award for one of Michigan's best run family businesses, Yearly Safety awards from AGC, Remodeling Magazine 2001 Big 50 Remodelers of the year.
Question QUESTION: I am purchasing a new patio home that is just being built. The basement concrete floor was poured last week and has cracks all over it. We were told that it was poured on a windy day and dried too quickly and is cracked. Also, the floor drains are in the wrong place. We do not want to purchase the home unless the basement floor is totally removed and redone and the drain placements are corrected. Do you agree?
ANSWER: I agree. a new floor should not have cracks all over, maybe one at the most. something is wrong with the concrete or prep work before pouring. You might contact the building department and ask if this is normal.
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QUESTION: Thank you for responding to my question. However, my husband told me I did not tell you that the basement floor is poured over beams with pans on the beams and the concrete is poured in the pans. We live in Colorado that has expansive soil and this is supposed to help that. Again, we do not want to purchase the home unless the basement floor is totally removed and redone and the drain placements are corrected. Please respond. Thank you.
Answer If the concrete is poured in pans over beams, it could be subject to cracking. Again, you need to check with the local building inspector to see if this is normal for your area.
Second, If you plan on tiling the floor you can place an isolation membrane over the concrete and no cracks will come up to the tile level.
