Cracked Concrete

Tips from Real-Estate-Agents.com

by Kathy Maynard, reprinted courtesy of ServiceMagic.com

Q: My basement has a 1/4 inch horizontal crack in the wall that continues across the basement floor. I've had a mason to come in and look at it and he told me all I need to do is to seal up the wall and to pour new concrete on the floor. Do you think I need a structural engineer to take a look and if so could you provide a listing of engineers in the area. Thank you.

A: Thanks for your inquiry. My concrete expert says any crack wide enough to stick a nickel in is something to worry about, so you would be wise to consult a structural engineer to see what is causing those cracks.

To locate one, simply visit our site at http://www.servicemagic.com, fill out the service request, and let us match you with the ideal service professional in your area.

If we don't have any listed in your area, I would ask some of our foundation repair specialists or general contractors for referrals to structural engineers. They could also be good resources because they frequently need to consult with structural engineers, and since you will probably need to hire someone to implement the engineer's recommendations, they know it could turn into a project for them too!

Good luck!

Kathy Maynard

-- Tips courtesy of Service Magic