My inspection report mentions hairline cracks in the basement foundation and says to 'monitor'. But like... monitor for what? How long? Is this code for 'this is fine' or 'this could be a problem'? The report doesn't really explain and the inspector already moved on to his next appointment. First time buying and trying to figure out what actually matters here.
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In inspection-speak, 'monitor' usually means the crack exists but isnt showing signs of active movement or structural concern at this time. Hairline cracks in foundations are extremely common and often just from normal concrete curing and settling. The inspector is basically saying 'keep an eye on it' rather than 'panic now'.
so what am i looking for when i 'monitor' it? how do i know if it gets worse?
take a photo now with a ruler for scale. check again in 6 months. if the crack hasnt grown, youre fine. if its noticeably wider or longer, get a structural engineer to take a look. you can also put a piece of tape across it - if the tape tears, the crack is actively moving.
I had the same thing on my inspection report 3 years ago. Took photos, checked every 6 months, crack hasnt changed at all. Wish i hadnt stressed about it so much honestly. Hairline foundation cracks are like gray hairs on a house - normal with age.
lol thats a great analogy. makes me feel better about it
If you want peace of mind you can always pay for a structural engineer to look at it. Costs about $300-500 but theyll give you a definitive answer on whether its a concern. Worth it for the sleep.
What to actually watch for: if cracks start running at angles (diagonal, stair-step pattern), if you see the wall bowing inward, if doors and windows start sticking when they didnt before, or if you get water coming through the crack. Those are signs something changed. Hairline cracks that stay hairline? Normal house stuff.