On Nov 3, 10:38 am, "DanG" wrote:
I am always amazed at the number of people who want to holler
about inspectors fixing everything.

Inspectors work with code.
Code identifies construction minimums.

Code is most highly related to life safety issues. Boards must be
a certain minimum size, nails must be a certain size and number.
Foundation concrete needs to meet size and strength minimums.
Handrails, stairs,and ramps need to meet size requirements. Exits
must meet size and number requirements. Things must meet certain
fire ratings. There is usually a footing inspection, framing
inspection, and final leading to occupancy.

Plumbing, HVAC, and electrical inspections do the same thing at an
even more stringent safety level.

There is no inspector/inspection alive that could care less about
a crack in any of your slab concrete. They don't care if your
brick work cracks. They don't even care if your foundation
cracks. They don't care what brand water heater or furnace you
use. They only care that things won't burn down, fall down, catch
on fire, hurt someone else, electrocute someone, contaminate
anyone else or harm city infrastructure.

There is no code requirement for slab reinforcement, jointing,
expansion/contraction control, subsoil compaction, proper fill,
type of finish, or anything else about flat work concrete. These
are all issues that are cosmetic only. Code just doesn't care if
the window or door is crooked, won't latch, siding is crooked,
didn't get painted, has the worst texture job in the world.

This guy's cracked patio is due to lack of proper control joints.
There is no need for an expansion joint at the foundation unless
the concrete is trapped. Re-bar and re-mesh are not required and
may actually do more harm than good. It is too bad there are not
code driven compaction requirements. The slab will probably end
up settling along the foundation due to loose fill and holding
water.

Don't expect code or inspectors to adjudicate or address cosmetic
issues. Ain't happening. This is an issue between owner and
builder. The builder or his subcontractor did not follow industry
guidelines and did not do all that he could have to prevent the
cosmetic problem. If he is using subs that would pour a long
rectangle without joints, I would worry more about all other subs
at every level.

______________________________
Keep the whole world singing . . . .
DanG (remove the sevens)


"hands on" wrote in message

ups.com...

On Nov 3, 1:43 am, wrote:
On Nov 2, 10:27 pm, Joe wrote:

On Nov 1, 1:20 pm, hands on wrote:

I have 12 foot x 21 foot concrete patio that cracked down
the middle
after 30 days of install thanks to Veranda Homes LLC of
Wilmington,NC.
I tried to fill in the crack but it looks bad and the
builder won't
fix it.
Any ideas how I can cover it up with pavers or would the
best thing be
to tear it up and replace it?

Build a deck over it. That will give you so much grief in
maintainance
that when you finally get rid of it the concrte will look
great.

Joe

You have a 21 ft span with no control joints and an 1/8" crack
on a
patio that is 30 days old. That is not normal and I wouldn't
accept
it and would get the building inspector out there. This
should not
happen with concrete work that is done properly. Is the crack
running approximately perpendicular to the 21ft span?
Concrete
shrinks when it cures and if you have a span that long without
a
control joint, that could be the problem.

I'm thinking the building inspector was the problem(lack of
inspection) as with my other problems.

I have a question about the framing inspection because I have a front
door that is out of square and a sliding patio door that is out of
square. Do inspectors look to see if openings are square or do they
check doors after they are installed?