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Superior Walls Crack - Normal or Not? (cross post)

8 years ago

Our 12 foot basement walls were installed yesterday by Superior Walls of NC. There were two panels that were badly cracked and immediately the installation crew pulled those out and said new walls would be poured and delivered by the end of the week.

Great.

Well my husband and I were walking around the walls after the crew left and noticed a crack that had been caulked over. Is this acceptable/normal?

I can't tell how deep or wide it is due to the caulking.

Featured Answer

PRO

Charles Ross Homes

2 years ago

I've installed 18 +/- Superior Walls foundations in the past 20 years. No issues--even with one in the middle of what was a swamp with underground springs all around and an underground stream flowing under the slab. Great product.

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Comments (11)

PRO
Springtime Builders
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Jenna, that is an odd crack for such a skinny panel. I think non-structural cracks are somewhat common in panels over the 12-16' width range. It looks like a solid caulking job though. It should certainly be brought to the rep's attention, but with proper foundation drainage redundancies, its probably not a problem.
Jenna Brown thanked Springtime Builders
Rachel (Zone 7A + wind)
8 years ago
Is it caulked on both sides?
Jenna Brown thanked Rachel (Zone 7A + wind)
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PRO
Charles Ross Homes
8 years ago
Small, non-structural cracks are not an abnormal condition for concrete. I imagine that they sealed the crack with the same sealant they use between pre-cast panels--if so, it's good stuff. Superior Walls offers a 15-year dry basement guarantee which should include the repaired area. The way the panels are constructed precludes the ability to seal the back side of the crack.
Jenna Brown thanked Charles Ross Homes
Jenna Brown
Original Author
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Thank you for your replies!

Mama - It can't be caulked on both sides due to the built in insulation. And I was informed today if I remove the insulation (to look at the crack!) it voids the warranty.

Charles - They did use the same sealant, so hopefully it stays dry! And my husband brought it to my attention that there are cracks between every panel that is sealed to keep water out, and it probably isn't a problem.

I've informed the builder and he's left a message with the rep. I also spoke on the phone with an installer that was there yesterday. The installer told me it was not structural and if it does leak they will fix it under warranty.

That didn't really make me feel better.

Since they are already pouring more panels and coming back to finish the job, I would feel better if they would just replace that panel too.

Now we are just waiting to hear back from the rep.
Jenna Brown
Original Author
8 years ago
I just got off the phone with my builder and Superior Walls is going to pour another wall to replace that one and bring it on the truck with the other two panels.
tlbean2004
8 years ago
Good, now you can sleep at night.
John Doe
3 years ago
Jenna, I tried sending you a PM but looks like you have that feature disabled. How is your Superior Wall holding up? I've had mine for a year with no issues and wanted to communicate with other SW owners.
MK Pate
2 years ago
Im considering Supior Walls for my basement. Any thoughts or experience woukd be appreciated.
User
2 years ago
I've had them in 2 houses, which between the 2 comprise over 20 years. I love them. Liked them so much in the first house I chose a builder who would use them for the 2nd.

The crews from the factory install them here. They warranty their work. I had an issue shortly after I moved in, which they came out to assess. It wasn't their fault but they left me what I needed to fix it anyway.

No issues, no concerns here based on 20 years of experience and 2 homes.
MK Pate
2 years ago
Thanks for the feed back!

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