[faderus]

I have this crack and am curious how best to handle it, and the underlying cause. It is broken through, and appears to have rotated slightly as the vertical joint in the corner is also shifted slightly. The window was installed 2-3 years ago, and this room Is in the corner over the cantilever in a raised ranch with a garage below.

 

[faderus]

Can I post a picture from a mobile device?

 

[faderus]

 

[faderus]

https://imgur.com/a/t4inZU1

 

[Nealtw]

 

[Nealtw]

Have you inspected for something happening below this in the foundation or wood structure?

 

[faderus]

Have you inspected for something happening below this in the foundation or wood structure?

It's possible as this is the cantilevered section as mentioned but that area is completely filled with spray foam so I can't look at it easily. There is no other indication of damage on other corners of the window or the other walls in the room, but this is a 1960 raised ranch with some very half assed construction and creative solutions over the years. There has been termite damage at some point in its history, though nothing current.

My initial thought was a termite tube in the sheetrock paper that weakened it somewhat and when the window was installed the sheetrock cracked along the weakened path...

 

[faderus]

Thanks for the picture insert Neal. What was I doing wrong?

 

[Nealtw]

Thanks for the picture insert Neal. What was I doing wrong?

I just copied and pasted your picture.



See below, go advanced and then find manage attachments

 

[faderus]

Thanks. I was using the "insert image" button and it just disappeared.

 

[Nealtw]

It's possible as this is the cantilevered section as mentioned but that area is completely filled with spray foam so I can't look at it easily. There is no other indication of damage on other corners of the window or the other walls in the room, but this is a 1960 raised ranch with some very half assed construction and creative solutions over the years. There has been termite damage at some point in its history, though nothing current.

My initial thought was a termite tube in the sheetrock paper that weakened it somewhat and when the window was installed the sheetrock cracked along the weakened path...

If it is cantilevered can you inspect much of that for water damage or any movement outside.
Can you get a picture of that section of the house from some distance?

Like from the road if it is the front.

 

[faderus]

If it is cantilevered can you inspect much of that for water damage or any movement outside

Nothing obvious, but between asbestos siding and the spray foam, there isn't much I can get to without making it a pretty good sized project.

One additional note, the window was enlarged downward somewhat so it is possible that it was not properly framed or supported...no evidence of this, just speculation.

 

[faderus]

ill get a picture from outside shortly.

 

[Nealtw]

Nothing obvious, but between asbestos siding and the spray foam, there isn't much I can get to without making it a pretty good sized project.

One additional note, the window was enlarged downward somewhat so it is possible that it was not properly framed or supported...no evidence of this, just speculation.

I doubt that would be a problem if it wasn't made wider.

Is this the corner f the house?

 

[faderus]

I doubt that would be a problem if it wasn't made wider.

Is this the corner f the house?

Yes, it's the outside corner of the house.

 

[Nealtw]

Yes, it's the outside corner of the house.

Some times you can get a sag just from the weight at the corner and made worse with the use of trusses because the end truss can put extra weight there. Newer houses will have a beam sticking out in the corner instead of a joist. So you likely can't see if you just have one joist or 2 or more?

 

[faderus]

Not without some disassembly. Even if it is a single joist, is there a reasonable fix? If not, or if the fix is a major issue, simply fixing the crack is probably my best option.

 

[Nealtw]

Not without some disassembly. Even if it is a single joist, is there a reasonable fix? If not, or if the fix is a major issue, simply fixing the crack is probably my best option.

I would check for a sag in the floor toward the corner with a straight edge like a 4 ft level and record it, so you can check it again if it keeps happening.
If it keeps happening the fix would be from the garage and under the over hang, jack it up and slide a beam in from the garage side. :wink2:

 

[faderus]

I would check for a sag in the floor toward the corner with a straight edge like a 4 ft level and record it, so you can check it again if it keeps happening.
If it keeps happening the fix would be from the garage and under the over hang, jack it up and slide a beam in from the garage side. :wink2:

Ok, thats fair. I have gotten into too many major projects for the sake of fixing a minor issue. For now I'll address the crack and go from there.

 

[Nealtw]

Ok, thats fair. I have gotten into too many major projects for the sake of fixing a minor issue. For now I'll address the crack and go from there.

Just check the floor and see if it is anything. And if the crack comes back you can compare the change.