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DMoore
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Two things here:

  1. If a basement is poured right it will all slope to the floor drain. This sometimes is noticeable because not all guys pouring a basement floor are artists, so their flow to the drain might not be as even as you would want (being nice). Maybe sometimes the exterior walls will slope in if there is an extensive weeping system - that flows to sump pit(s).

  2. Very normal for a basement to have 1 major heave line. This is basically the concrete buckling on itself. This has nothing to do with your foundation is in essence cosmetic. To fix these there are a number of products but basically you chisel out the line (in reality hammer but giving you a visual) and then install some sort of flexible substance (you can just use caulk on smaller heaves) and then reseal it with concrete. It is basically the same way you fix drywall that has seasonal heaves with just slightly different materials.

If you are alarmed pull up the carpet, take some pictures and post them on here. You really can't tell with carpet there. My gut reaction is that you are probably just fine. Sometimes these heaves are caused by once in a lifetime events (a summer of 100 degree days 40 days in a row without rain - happened to two of my properties that summer) or that's just what the basement was going to do no matter what (not enough stress reliefs during pour). Either way this is usually not a big deal or a big risk to home owner unless you are feeling the unevenness next to walls which could effect footings.

Note based on added picture: Your basement has heaved right at the joint control - which is by design. It looks like the joint cut was slightly small for the amount of movement. This is neither a problem or even a tad alarming. If you don't like it, grind down the ridge flat. You could even chisel a "V" in that ridge and fill with something more pliable than concrete. On the scale of being an issue this is a .5 out of 10.

Also the crack is because the heave point pushed out. Again not a big deal. Given the house was built 35 years ago, it is probably settled in. So it is basically as bad as it is going to get. Remember basement floors almost have nothing to do with the foundation of your house (except in rare cases which I don't think yours is).

Two things here:

  1. If a basement is poured right it will all slope to the floor drain. This sometimes is noticeable because not all guys pouring a basement floor are artists, so their flow to the drain might not be as even as you would want (being nice). Maybe sometimes the exterior walls will slope in if there is an extensive weeping system - that flows to sump pit(s).

  2. Very normal for a basement to have 1 major heave line. This is basically the concrete buckling on itself. This has nothing to do with your foundation is in essence cosmetic. To fix these there are a number of products but basically you chisel out the line (in reality hammer but giving you a visual) and then install some sort of flexible substance (you can just use caulk on smaller heaves) and then reseal it with concrete. It is basically the same way you fix drywall that has seasonal heaves with just slightly different materials.

If you are alarmed pull up the carpet, take some pictures and post them on here. You really can't tell with carpet there. My gut reaction is that you are probably just fine. Sometimes these heaves are caused by once in a lifetime events (a summer of 100 degree days 40 days in a row without rain - happened to two of my properties that summer) or that's just what the basement was going to do no matter what (not enough stress reliefs during pour). Either way this is usually not a big deal or a big risk to home owner unless you are feeling the unevenness next to walls which could effect footings.

Two things here:

  1. If a basement is poured right it will all slope to the floor drain. This sometimes is noticeable because not all guys pouring a basement floor are artists, so their flow to the drain might not be as even as you would want (being nice). Maybe sometimes the exterior walls will slope in if there is an extensive weeping system - that flows to sump pit(s).

  2. Very normal for a basement to have 1 major heave line. This is basically the concrete buckling on itself. This has nothing to do with your foundation is in essence cosmetic. To fix these there are a number of products but basically you chisel out the line (in reality hammer but giving you a visual) and then install some sort of flexible substance (you can just use caulk on smaller heaves) and then reseal it with concrete. It is basically the same way you fix drywall that has seasonal heaves with just slightly different materials.

If you are alarmed pull up the carpet, take some pictures and post them on here. You really can't tell with carpet there. My gut reaction is that you are probably just fine. Sometimes these heaves are caused by once in a lifetime events (a summer of 100 degree days 40 days in a row without rain - happened to two of my properties that summer) or that's just what the basement was going to do no matter what (not enough stress reliefs during pour). Either way this is usually not a big deal or a big risk to home owner unless you are feeling the unevenness next to walls which could effect footings.

Note based on added picture: Your basement has heaved right at the joint control - which is by design. It looks like the joint cut was slightly small for the amount of movement. This is neither a problem or even a tad alarming. If you don't like it, grind down the ridge flat. You could even chisel a "V" in that ridge and fill with something more pliable than concrete. On the scale of being an issue this is a .5 out of 10.

Also the crack is because the heave point pushed out. Again not a big deal. Given the house was built 35 years ago, it is probably settled in. So it is basically as bad as it is going to get. Remember basement floors almost have nothing to do with the foundation of your house (except in rare cases which I don't think yours is).

Source Link
DMoore
  • 50.4k
  • 15
  • 88
  • 207

Two things here:

  1. If a basement is poured right it will all slope to the floor drain. This sometimes is noticeable because not all guys pouring a basement floor are artists, so their flow to the drain might not be as even as you would want (being nice). Maybe sometimes the exterior walls will slope in if there is an extensive weeping system - that flows to sump pit(s).

  2. Very normal for a basement to have 1 major heave line. This is basically the concrete buckling on itself. This has nothing to do with your foundation is in essence cosmetic. To fix these there are a number of products but basically you chisel out the line (in reality hammer but giving you a visual) and then install some sort of flexible substance (you can just use caulk on smaller heaves) and then reseal it with concrete. It is basically the same way you fix drywall that has seasonal heaves with just slightly different materials.

If you are alarmed pull up the carpet, take some pictures and post them on here. You really can't tell with carpet there. My gut reaction is that you are probably just fine. Sometimes these heaves are caused by once in a lifetime events (a summer of 100 degree days 40 days in a row without rain - happened to two of my properties that summer) or that's just what the basement was going to do no matter what (not enough stress reliefs during pour). Either way this is usually not a big deal or a big risk to home owner unless you are feeling the unevenness next to walls which could effect footings.