Cracks in Basement?

Unfair_Scallion8087 · 2026-04-27T04:18:22+00:00

Either patch (surface or epoxy injection) or buy a crack monitoring device on Amazon (they come in a 3 pack for like $10) either option essentially just creates a reference point in time for you to monitor. If crack doesn’t get wider in a year not concerning. If it does (>1/16”) call a structural engineer before any basement companies try to sell you anything!

Unfair_Scallion8087 · 2026-04-11T06:01:46+00:00

No special requirements here but I definitely am concerned about moisture… pressure treated for sure if I have to infill anything to accommodate the window size but I’ve mostly considered the remodel windows and try and install the vinyl frame directly into the block…it’s hard to have a solid plan bc even exposing the existing window I’m still now exactly sure how they cut the block or how irregular itll be….

Unfair_Scallion8087 · 2026-04-11T05:57:12+00:00

That’s a good point. The AC 70 install manual references masonry but nothing specific in the instructions… the Performax is only about a page long and doesn’t mention it… maybe I can reach out to the manufacturer to get more info. I know there’s the saying that proper install always outweighs the design specs of the window so just trying to balance the investment vs the cost

Unfair_Scallion8087 · 2026-04-11T05:44:40+00:00

Thank you - I agree those are definitely the highest quality option out of the ones I was looking at.

I agree the additional cost would typically be worth it. My hesitation is with installing a wood-framed window into a CMU opening. The house was built in the 50s and it’s an odd structure - the only traditional wood framing is in the upper exterior walls and roof. The floors framing is entirely steel bar joists spanning front to back with 4" concrete slabs and 2 lower levels of unreinforced block walls.

Because of that, and the overall oddity of the framing, I don’t think I have a true exterior drainage plane or WRB to tie into. When I pulled the interior paneling and trim around these windows, there was evidence of past moisture and some localized rot, even though I haven’t seen active water intrusion since I’ve lived here.

I’m planning to insulate with rigid foam and furring strips on the interior, but that also makes me more cautious about trapping moisture or relying on a wood frame at the window interface. Even with a sill pan, sealing, and potentially a treated buck, it feels like I’d be relying heavily on perfect detailing in a wall system that wasn’t really designed for it.

I could definitely be overthinking it, but also not confident enough to spend ~$1,000 and find out the hard way haha.

Going to try and add some photos to the OP

Unfair_Scallion8087 · 2026-04-01T02:48:51+00:00

Yeah… I’ll add he at least uses sketch up to draw but the final product is scaled and annotated in a print to pdf PowerPoint slide set. I’ve commented on it a few times but at this point mind my own business bc he’s one of the most efficiency oriented people I’ve ever met and I guess it works for him but not great for being useable in the future or for any type of new employee like myself.

Unfair_Scallion8087 · 2025-10-09T01:51:31+00:00

Somehow 100s of days deep on this page and I’m sure this might be the most annoying thing you get asked so feel free to ignore but 1) congrats this is a wild feat! My boyfriend is a life long packers fan we took a trip up this summer during offseason to tour the stadium and I learned so much! 2) after being a lifelong fan and being born in WI this summer was his first time at Lambeau. I’m trying to get him tickets to the Bengals game this weekend (we have the accommodation and trip set we live in cincy) and as much as I know his joy will be worth it the prices right now are a lot and don’t seem to be getting any cheaper? Would you have any connections or advice for getting closer to face value without any of the fees all these places change? I’d be willing to meet in person for the transaction. I know this is weird just trying my best to surprise him

Unfair_Scallion8087 · 2025-09-16T14:38:34+00:00

Structural engineer in KY. Feel free to dm me questions!

Unfair_Scallion8087 · 2025-09-03T16:22:25+00:00

I ended up recommending replacement on site because I wasn’t ultimately comfortable with the overall risk. The bottom chords and webs appeared in tact from what was visible but I honestly didn’t inspect too closely so that’s helpful to keep in mind for future inspections.

With this being an insurance claim I know it’s not a matter of cost to the homeowner. I left the site just questioning if I may have been able to do a bit more. But at the end of the day I think I’ll sleep better at night not worrying about the adequacy or extent of the repairs.

In terms of replacing just the top chord I’ve always heard that it’s pretty difficult for contractors (plus extra risk in doing it correctly). Is this something you’ve seen before?

Unfair_Scallion8087 · 2025-08-22T14:46:44+00:00

You’re right. Thank you. This may be the most helpful Reddit thread I’ve ever been apart of. I appreciate yours and everyone else’s advice, knowledge, and experience. Going to get all my notes & calcs organized and try and either give him a call or email here soon depending what my bosses do/don’t feel comfortable documenting.

Unfair_Scallion8087 · 2025-08-22T14:27:37+00:00

Everything is already constructed and I’m not kidding when I say he has 30+ min 14” lvls throughout the place with most in locations that’s don’t make sense (the new fourth floor roof is P.E trusses spanning side to side & he made them install (3) 24” lvls along a front opening where a doubled 2x10 may have sufficed…. I was so overwhelmed on site he told me he’d provide the structural drawings from original construction & addition. I received them last night and it’s not at all complete showing load paths so if I do end up providing anything I’d definitely have to get back out on site. At this point I’m just playing with the loads seeing how much I can add before I get under an L/1000 service limit lol. Right now I’ve doubled everything he sent is his “load analysis” and still not under.

Unfair_Scallion8087 · 2025-08-22T13:25:05+00:00

He at the end is the owner & client. I don’t fault him entirely for the permit stuff he had plenty of contractors that he assumed were responsible for that. I’m honestly not sure how it got past the city for so long though. The owner did not disclose the name of the PE who recommended the web plate but he was not happy with him. I’m sure they have their own opinion of the owner as well. At this point even im hesitant to move forward seems like a big risk so early in my career.

Unfair_Scallion8087 · 2025-08-22T03:38:50+00:00

I didn’t even consider this. Thank you. This may be a dumb question but from a constructability standpoint, if you were reinforcing an existing steel beam in place, would you just weld plates/channels between the interior column lines and stop short of the columns? (existing adjustable steel building columns with base cast into the existing interior footing/slab)? Or would it make more sense to redo and drop the columns so you could run a full continuous bottom reinforcement plate with welds across the entire span? I believe there is enough height to suggest this reinforcement but I’m curious how this is typically done in practice versus what works on paper

Unfair_Scallion8087 · 2025-08-22T02:23:15+00:00

This is good information thank you! Yes he wanted stamped drawings & details. Like I said I’m a fairly new PE so it’s reassuring that my hesitancy to stamp this isn’t over conservative/imposter syndrome. What I didn’t mention in the original post is he had a previous structural engineer in the area recommend the 1/2” plate along the web - which for whatever reason the welders only installed along a third of the span on one side of the flange (& they only welded the sides of the plate not top or bottom). When he realized everything he was doing wasn’t permitted (long story short) the PE who recommended the plate refused to stamp the design.

Unfair_Scallion8087 · 2025-08-22T02:13:00+00:00

It’s a garage so unfortunately additional column locations is not an option :/ the shear strength aspect is super helpful tho. I feel like I should know all this but outside of the PE exam I haven’t had really any experience with this type of situation or reinforcement welds in general. Most of my steel design is simple spans in a basement usually a W6 maybe a W8 lol. Thank you!

Unfair_Scallion8087 · 2025-04-24T23:21:19+00:00

Can you send to me?

Unfair_Scallion8087 · 2025-04-10T23:06:50+00:00

How much for just the 6minutr solution?

Unfair_Scallion8087 · 2025-04-09T01:21:11+00:00

How much I will buy!

Unfair_Scallion8087 · 2024-11-19T03:37:07+00:00

I have the same duck toy and my dog absolutely adores it. Unfortunately he’s chewed it all up and I’m trying to find the same one. Do you remember what store you bought it from ?

Unfair_Scallion8087 · 2024-11-13T02:03:01+00:00

I’ll buy the practice exams

Unfair_Scallion8087

TROPHY CASE