no expansion joint at exterior foundation step

[RGWA]

a residential concrete foundation extends 10" beyond frame & stucco exterior, with 3" thickness creating a step in L shape 10'x10' L; isn't this a design flaw? There is no expansion joint. The step is exposed to temperature fluctuations. Lowest in winter = 10 degree F, typically 20 degrees F; summer = 90 degrees F. Does this cause cracks?

 

[jhnblgr]

Corners in general cause cracks. But I’d guess this was caused by settlement or heave

 

[RGWA]

Probably b/c no expansion joints within 1 block (5 unit) townhouse foundation= settlement + 4 foot excavation within 20-30 ft + no weep holes or vertical steel in retaining walls

 

[bilalali45]

a residential concrete foundation extends 10" beyond frame & stucco exterior, with 3" thickness creating a step in L shape 10'x10' L; isn't this a design flaw? There is no expansion joint. The step is exposed to temperature fluctuations. Lowest in winter = 10 degree F, typically 20 degrees F; summer = 90 degrees F. Does this cause cracks?

Looking at the pic, yeah I’d be concerned too. A 10" foundation lip with no expansion joint and constant freeze-thaw cycles? That’s asking for trouble long term. I’ve seen similar setups crack exactly where that step hits. Honestly, this feels like a design miss — especially with the L-shape acting like a stress point. Even 3" thickness can’t handle those thermal shifts forever.

 

[RGWA]

As I am replacing the carpet with porcelain floor tile (12"x12" squares) in this bedroom (20'x15'), I am considering what to do:
after cleaning with wire brush, etc. Problem is, will the installed floor tile crack due to continued movement of the cracks/cracked corner?
1. fill in cracks with Sika sikaquickpatch (recommended by Sika tech person for the situation) or
2. fill in cracks with expansion joint putty such as dap 3.0 self-leveling advanced hybrid sealant for concrete and masonry, or
3. create an approximation of an expansion joint in the 3"x10" exterior step, such as cut router line along the L-length, maybe 1"Dx1/4"W, and fill that with expansion joint either the putty or the fiber type, after repairing floor via ¶1 or 2.
??
Since acquiring the house 6 years ago, I have stabilized the abutting dirt by creating a terrace 16' wide (from exterior wall outward), supported by 3 rows of interlocking concrete terrace blocks, for a total of about 11" increase in depth fill in with adobe dirt; as well, I have removed the flagstone-with-concrete-in-between-patio which also had no expansion joint; I will replace this with paver bricks but will put in expansion joint at house junction

 

[jhnblgr]

The crack will transfer through likely regardless of the repair. Need to bond break over the cracked area