Without pics or measurements it's impossible to give an accurate answer. Shrinkage cracks are standard. As it cures, concrete shrinks about 1/16" per ten feet. The mandatory government warranty programme Construction Performance Guidelines I work under say the following about poured concrete foundation wall cracks: "1.11 CONDITION CAST-IN-PLACE CONCRETE FOUNDATION WALL IS CRACKED Acceptable Performance/Condition Cracks resulting from normal shrinkage are acceptable; cracks in excess of 6 mm in width are not acceptable. Warranty One-Year Work and Materials Cracks resulting from normal shrinkage of materials caused by drying after construction are excluded from the statutory warranty. Action Walls with cracks exceeding the acceptable condition shall be repaired. Remarks Concrete walls naturally crack during curing due to shrinkage. Where lateral or vertical movement is evident, further investigation may be required. The colour and texture of a repaired area may not match the surrounding concrete"

Most RE contracts probably have similar verbiage like ours. Consumer protection being the main reason for this escape clause: 10.2. Inspection Objection Deadline. Unless otherwise provided in this Contract, Buyer acknowledges that Seller is conveying the Property to Buyer in an "as is" condition, "where is" and "with all faults". Seller shall disclose to Buyer, in writing, any latent defects actually known by Seller. Buyer, acting in good faith, shall have the right to have inspections (by a third party, personally or both) of the Property and inclusions (Inspection), at Buyer's expense. If (1) the physical condition of the Property, (2) the physical condition of the Inclusions, (3) service to the Property (including utilities and communication services), systems and components of the Property, e.g. heating and plumbing, (4) any proposed or existing transportation project, road, street or highway, or (5) any other activity, odor or noise (whether on or off the Property) and its effect or expected effect on the Property or its occupants is unsatisfactory in Buyer's sole subjective discretion, Buyer shall, on or before Inspection Objection Deadline (para. 3): 10.2.1. Notice to Terminate. Notify Seller in writing that this Contract is terminated; or 10.2.2. Notice to Correct. Deliver to Seller a written description of any unsatisfactory physical condition which Buyer requires Seller to correct. If written notice is not received by Seller on or before Inspection Objection Deadline (para. 3), the physical condition of the Property and Inclusions shall be deemed to be satisfactory to Buyer. 10.3. Inspection Resolution Deadline. If a Notice to Correct is received by Seller and if Buyer and Seller have not agreed in writing to a settlement thereof on or before Inspection Resolution Deadline (para. 3), this Contract shall terminate on Inspection Resolution Deadline (para. 3), unless Seller receives Buyer's written withdrawal of the Notice to Correct before such termination, i.e., on or before expiration of Inspection Resolution Deadline (para. 3).... .. 10.6. Due Diligence-Physical Inspection. Buyer's Inspection of the Property under para. 10.2 shall also include, without limitation, at Buyer's option, an inspection of the roof, walls, structural integrity of the Property and an inspection of the electrical, plumbing, HVAC and other mechanical systems of the Property. If the condition of the Property or Inclusions are not satisfactory to Buyer, in Buyer's sole subjective discretion, Buyer shall, on or before Inspection Objection Deadline (para. 3), provide the applicable written notice pursuant to para. 10.2.

sdello, yes we are on landfill and in 1990 post-tension slab was the thing to do in this area. What does that mean that the slab should be supported on grade beams? Do you mean they should dig up around the foundation (now that would be an expensive job as it is pretty much cement all the way around the house) and put some sort of pilings into the soil? We are not the original owners, but are the first people to live there. The original owners bought on spec to make a profit. The first year the builder would calk things, but then they moved on to their next development and then went out of business under that name. I would say that for the most part all these cracks have been there at least 10 of the 15 years in varying degrees. I used to caulk the ones I could reach, but never touched the cracks where the walls meet the ceiling. Funny thing, until I started wearing my glasses at home, I never even noticed them, but with my glasses everything came into focus. :-\ Some of the patches they originally did have held up the last 12 years or so. Some just kept spreading. I think made a mistake installing plantation sutters on all the windows before the settling stopped or at least slowed down as both sides of the house have sticking problems with the shutters. That was putting pressure on the opening. From the very beginning there was not a straight wall in the entire house and wall sections from top to bottom weren't even the same measurement, meaning left to right. We pretty much have patio surrounding 3 sides of the house, no contact with dirt, and then one section of the front is the driveway/garage, next to that is a planterbox area and then next to that is the frontdoor. I'd say the only sections that are exposed to dirt would be a section of the living room that is about 6'. I'd say it has probably been at a slow rate, but just never paid a whole lot of attention to it until I realized the amount of money we were spending for remodeling two bathrooms, kitchen and laundry room, also carpeting and whole interior painting. We have never painted the interior for the whole 15 years. Just minor touchups where I caulked or where there was a little wear and tear. The windows all operate, though both sides of the house, a couple windows are definitely out of square. Of course, they were like that when we moved in at 1 year old. I had the builder redo the one window, but didn't check it right away, but found that he didn't really do a great job replacing it level anyway. I'd say the areas where I patched myself, and didn't do the job right, just adding caulking and painting over it, some held up ok, others just kept reappearing after a few months or year. This was supposed to be our "forever home", so we are really upset that there might be a problem. We are hoping that this is just part of the pain of living on landfill and that there is no major problem. Can't afford to do repairs and remodel and the kitchens and bathrooms...

So here is the response I received from the builder....should I have concerns? "The crack in the foundation is what is called a shrinkage crack. Anytime we have walls in excess of 30 feet or so without any other intersecting walls this happens. It is not a structural concern. This crack showed up in the first month after the foundation was poured and has not had any water penetration for the duration of the build. I have had the guys repair what is visible." We are under a new home warranty for 7 years for major structural issues and I have an email conversation which indicates our concern and the builder's response. Should I just observe the crack and see what happens? The thing is I don't remember seeing this crack on previous visits and he says its been there awhile? I looked on previous pics I have of that wall but can't really zoom in enough to see if there was evidence of a crack there but I'm sure we would have noticed it if it was there previously. Just for reference...our footings were undisturbed for 6 weeks and foundation sat for about 3 weeks before framing started in mid-October.