ᐅ Gap in the foundation—does anyone have experience with this issue or any information?

Created on: 27 Oct 2018 16:54
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Dennis674
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Dennis674
27 Oct 2018 16:54
Hello everyone,

We have now been living in our small solid-built house for 1.5 years.
I am currently working on the landscaping step by step, and I noticed that at the back of the house there are gaps forming at several spots (3-4) along the foundation slab.
A brief background: we built without a basement and, following the recommendation from the soil survey, founded the house on a 1.5 m (5 ft) thick gravel base.
Is this normal settling, or would it make sense to consult a specialist?
Anyone with opinions or information?
Attached are some photos; in some places, I can insert a 1 m (3 ft) rod about 20 cm (8 inches) into the gap.
Regards
Dennis674

Außenwandseite eines Baugrundstücks mit Schutt, Geröll und Abdeckplane


Baustelle mit grobem Untergrund, Kies und Steinen, Messband an Fundamentwand zeigt Maße


Baustelle mit Kies, Schutt und Messband neben Fundamentmauer
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Nordlys
27 Oct 2018 17:31
Earthquake. Volcanic eruption... or simply drought? The volume of the ground has contracted! This has happened everywhere in Germany.
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HilfeHilfe
28 Oct 2018 07:42
Nordy, don’t always be so cheeky. Te, you do have a warranty. Ask your general contractor.
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Nordlys
28 Oct 2018 08:26
The dryness and soil shrinkage issue is serious. Really. Soils everywhere have settled by one or two millimeters (around 0.04 to 0.08 inches) as water volume has been lost.
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Dennis674
28 Oct 2018 08:31
Nordlys schrieb:
The dryness and soil shrinkage is serious. Really. Soils everywhere have settled by one or two millimeters as water volume has left.

Yes, you can also see that the ground has settled. What worries me more is the gap that is currently forming at the slab. Thanks for your information.
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Dennis674
28 Oct 2018 08:34
HilfeHilfe schrieb:
Nordy, don’t be so cheeky all the time. Te, you do have a warranty. Ask your general contractor (GC)

Yes, I do have a warranty. After the GC told me during the construction phase that water behind the vapor barrier is "normal," I expect I’ll be told again that I’m "being too sensitive" 🙂

But you’re right, before I close this up, I’ll give him a call on Monday.