interface of concrete pours

[jxzohio]

There is a new construction house which I want to purchase. But on the basement walls, I found a long horizontal line (quite obvious) which I believe is due to different concrete pours. The line is about 25 feet long and 3 to 4 feet above basement floor. I am quite concerned about the possible leakage in the future through the interface of different concrete pours. Is this a potential problem in the future? Does the interface undermine the integrity of the basement wall? Thanks.

 

[RDK]

If the construction joint was constructed correctly there should be no need for worry.

However since there is no real need for a construction joint at the location you describe except that they ran into trouble during the pour (i.e. weather, equipment breakdown or concrete delivery problems) I’d assume the worst and that it was constructed in a hurry and might not be done correctly.

Unfortunately no easy way to determine how it was made.

Any sign of leakage or water penetration along the joint? Is it straight and regular or irregular?

Rick Kitson MBA P.Eng

Construction Project Management
From conception to completion

http://www.kitsonengineering.com