ᐅ Cracks detected in the exterior concrete wall of the basement – what steps should be taken?
Created on: 17 Dec 2020 14:12
H
HeiniohnePlan
Hello gentlemen!
First of all, I hope you and your families have stayed safe through these challenging times!?
1. Yesterday, I noticed cracks in the concrete exterior wall of the basement at our construction site; please see the attached pictures:
2. I have reported this, along with the pictures, to our site manager.
3. This was the reply:
“Good day Mr. xxx,
I have taken note of your pictures. As an immediate measure, the cracks will be covered to prevent water ingress.
When the basement ceiling is poured, the cracks will be sealed and should therefore no longer pose a problem.
However, I must point out that entering the construction site without supervision by the site management is not permitted for insurance reasons.
Please take this into consideration.”
4. What do the professionals think about this?
5. How should I proceed from here?
6. What should I reply or request?
Thanks in advance for your responses.
I wish you a happy and healthy holiday season!
First of all, I hope you and your families have stayed safe through these challenging times!?
1. Yesterday, I noticed cracks in the concrete exterior wall of the basement at our construction site; please see the attached pictures:
2. I have reported this, along with the pictures, to our site manager.
3. This was the reply:
“Good day Mr. xxx,
I have taken note of your pictures. As an immediate measure, the cracks will be covered to prevent water ingress.
When the basement ceiling is poured, the cracks will be sealed and should therefore no longer pose a problem.
However, I must point out that entering the construction site without supervision by the site management is not permitted for insurance reasons.
Please take this into consideration.”
4. What do the professionals think about this?
5. How should I proceed from here?
6. What should I reply or request?
Thanks in advance for your responses.
I wish you a happy and healthy holiday season!
Steven schrieb:
Hello
I just noticed that too. In the neighbor’s picture, all the rebar is bent upwards (why is that?). That is exactly what should not be done. The rebar is bent and installed. Now it is bent back and then bent again at some point. The steel is weakened.
StevenHowever, you can see no cracks in the neighbor’s rebar. The construction workers probably waited over the weekend before removing the formwork. Don’t worry too much about bending the reinforcement. This is a fairly common practice. In the neighbor’s photo, in my opinion, the bending is harmless.
To the original poster: How was the repair work carried out?
HeiniohnePlan14 Jan 2021 22:03Happy New Year, ladies!
Thanks to @sascha-t4-le and @icandoit!
1. Our TÜV construction inspector wrote to the site manager before Christmas, asking him to check the exterior wall for cracks.
So far, no response.
2. I was at the construction site last Saturday and noticed that the exterior wall was not covered as the site manager had promised before Christmas.
3. Last Sunday, I wrote to the site manager and the general contractor:
"…
Notification of defects regarding the exterior wall cracks:
On Saturday, we unfortunately discovered that the discussed exterior wall with cracks was not covered as assured (see email from Mr. XXX dated 16.12.2020, 15:52), but instead has been exposed to rain for 3 ½ weeks and then snow.
A photo of the snow on the wall is attached.
As recommended by Mr. XXX (TÜV), we urgently ask for further inspection of the exterior wall to assess the extent of the damage.
Afterwards, we need to decide together with Mr. XXX (TÜV) how to resolve the defect.
Please keep us informed about this matter.
…"
4. To this day, no email from the site manager or general contractor.
5. Instead, the following email from the general contractor today:
"…
The current weather conditions do not allow any work to be carried out.
As soon as work is possible again, it will resume immediately.
This circumstance will affect the completion deadline.
If the announced ‘mega-lockdown’ is implemented soon in Germany, this will cause further significant delays.
We again ask that, according to contractual agreements, the construction site is not entered alone or without permission.
Especially at this time, the risk of accidents on site is far too high.
If this agreement is not strictly followed by everyone, we will have to exercise our right of access in accordance with the contract in the future.
Please arrange site visits as already communicated multiple times with the site management XXX.
…"
6. Photo from last Saturday:
7. A structural builder advised me, based on the photos, to demand that the cracked areas be chiseled out and then re-shuttered/poured.
8. How would you proceed?
THANK YOU!
Thanks to @sascha-t4-le and @icandoit!
1. Our TÜV construction inspector wrote to the site manager before Christmas, asking him to check the exterior wall for cracks.
So far, no response.
2. I was at the construction site last Saturday and noticed that the exterior wall was not covered as the site manager had promised before Christmas.
3. Last Sunday, I wrote to the site manager and the general contractor:
"…
Notification of defects regarding the exterior wall cracks:
On Saturday, we unfortunately discovered that the discussed exterior wall with cracks was not covered as assured (see email from Mr. XXX dated 16.12.2020, 15:52), but instead has been exposed to rain for 3 ½ weeks and then snow.
A photo of the snow on the wall is attached.
As recommended by Mr. XXX (TÜV), we urgently ask for further inspection of the exterior wall to assess the extent of the damage.
Afterwards, we need to decide together with Mr. XXX (TÜV) how to resolve the defect.
Please keep us informed about this matter.
…"
4. To this day, no email from the site manager or general contractor.
5. Instead, the following email from the general contractor today:
"…
The current weather conditions do not allow any work to be carried out.
As soon as work is possible again, it will resume immediately.
This circumstance will affect the completion deadline.
If the announced ‘mega-lockdown’ is implemented soon in Germany, this will cause further significant delays.
We again ask that, according to contractual agreements, the construction site is not entered alone or without permission.
Especially at this time, the risk of accidents on site is far too high.
If this agreement is not strictly followed by everyone, we will have to exercise our right of access in accordance with the contract in the future.
Please arrange site visits as already communicated multiple times with the site management XXX.
…"
6. Photo from last Saturday:
7. A structural builder advised me, based on the photos, to demand that the cracked areas be chiseled out and then re-shuttered/poured.
8. How would you proceed?
THANK YOU!
HeiniohnePlan schrieb:
7. A shell builder advised me, based on the pictures, to request that the cracked areas be chipped out and re-shuttered/poured.Hello HeiniohnePlanChiseling out the loose concrete, formwork everything again, and re-pouring won't help at all. The new concrete won’t bond with the existing wall.
It’s a tricky situation. Without an expert and a structural engineer, no advice can be given.
Steven
Steven schrieb:
Technically, it should be: Hello esteemed gentlemen and ladies.
Finally, a solid suggestion. From now on, I would like to be addressed as Mistress only.kati1337 schrieb:
only addressed as mistress from now on.Hello Kati
no thanks, that’s not my thing.
Steven
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