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TRACT HOME

QUESTION:  We own a tract home in a development that was built in 2001. Lately, we’ve noticed that some hairline cracks have appeared in the concrete patio in our backyard and in the concrete that surrounds the two crawl spaces under the house. Is this normal?

ANSWER: It’s hard to say. The crack could simply be a result of the concrete curing or the home gently settling, neither of which a cause for alarm.

                   But the worse-case scenario, the cracks could be a sign that the foundation is starting to slip, and it could ultimately cost thousands of dollars to have a professional shore it up.

                   Experts at Consumer Reports suggest that you put weather-proof tape across the cracks that you recently discovered and then check them again in a few months.

                   If the fissures have widened, you’ll need to call a structural engineer or similar professional for recommendations.

                   If the cracks have remained stable, you can simply fill them with one of the relatively inexpensive epoxy injection systems available at many large home-improvement stores.

                   Consumer Reports’ experts also suggest that you keep the area where the cracks have developed clean of leaves or other debris in which rodents can nest, and to regularly check for pellet-shaped droppings or termite wings. 

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