Foundation vertical movement allowances

[JoePT]

I've been experiencing allot of sheetrock cracking in my new home and so the builder took a survey of my current foundation versus 1 year ago. In the back corner of my home there was a 2 inch difference in 1 year. I have attached part of my survey which shows the differences between the 2 measurements. My question is, is this too much movement? Is my slab in danger of cracking? Thanks for the advice.

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[Don_P]

What is the foundation type... I'm assuming slab on grade?
What is the proposed solution?

[concretemasonry]

Are the settlement figures based on the difference between the slab one year earlier and the slab presently or are they a comparison to the supposed level original construction and the present?

The actual settlement may be more of less depending on the whether the slab was actually placed on the level. I assume there was no study a year ago, but they just assumed it was built level. If there was a similar study a year ago, that indicates there was a concern then.

Dick

[JoePT]

Slab on grade and those figures were compared to the base line figure 1 year ago when the slab was poured. When it was poured there was no more than a .4 inch difference anywhere.

[concretemasonry]

Location on your post would help to get more or better answers.

It is unusual for survey to be done when the house is new, but there must be a reason.

I would suspect a general soil problem since the major settlement is in the one corner, but some minor settlement elsewhere, plus some minor raining in one area, which MAY indicate expansive soils or just an error in the datum used from the initial survey.

There must be some cracks in the slab that could give additional information.

Dick

[JoePT]

Well this is is Richmond Texas which is a suburb of houston texas. The proposed fix is to check and repair the grade of the lawn taking water away from the house and change my watering habits. Currently I'm watering 3 times a day 10 minutes per zone. I'm planning on watering less in the zone which has risen up but the builder is suppose to come over to talk to me about it.

I believe that they took the initial survery becuase of the type of soil that is under our houses in my area which has been reported to move allot more than others. My builder has reported other people having similar problems as mine. They have said that the foundation is designed to move up to 2.5 inches without damage so I'm within the limitation but getting close to the limits.

As I have tile all down stairs and I cannot access the foundation to look for cracks but they look fine with no cracks in the tiles or grout and there is no cracks in the bricks or foundation on the outside of the house.

I have some alge on the back and side of my foundation at ground level indicating standing water. I have a feeling that this is a major cause of my problem. Thanks for the posts guys.