When does a house stop settling?

[oiprocs]

It's been 9 years and I still hear parts of the house settling at night.

I figure, since it's CA, the settling will never stop. (i.e., earthquakes, for you impaired ones)

 

[lokiju]

Also depends on what was used to build up the foundation.

A lot of builders will not use the proper fill dirt and it will erode more than it should.

I actually looked at a house before I bought my current one where the whole one side of it was cracked right down the middle of the master bedroom, the crack went all the way up to the ceiling.

Upon inspection it was discovered that the wrong fill dirt was used and that's what caused it and would have cost $20k to fix.

 

[dguy6789]

I'm sure location has everything to do with it. Earthquakes, major storms, weather etc...

 

[nakedfrog]

I don't think it ever stops, it just slows down a lot.

 

[zinfamous]

Only when the spirits of the slain Indians finally remove the human hosts from their eternal resting spot.

 

[SonnyDaze]

Originally posted by: scorpious
It's been 9 years and I still hear parts of the house settling at night.

I figure, since it's CA, the settling will never stop. (i.e., earthquakes, for you impaired ones)

You asked this question and called someone else impaired? :laugh:

 

[MustISO]

Our house makes crazy noises all the time. Things like loud cracks and pops. It's only 9 years old so I assume this is either a temperature thing or our house is sinking in quick sand.

 

[SilverThief]

Never.
I'm in a 50 year old house, and its still settling.

 

[herm0016]

never. house built in 1901... still moving. the center post in the basement is about 1.5 inches lower, need to jack it back up so we can close the doors on the 2nd floor all the way.

 

[ChaoZ]

Is it those cracking sounds? I thought it had to do with the temperature.

 

[hanoverphist]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog
I don't think it ever stops, it just slows down a lot.

unless its on granite, im pretty sure that wont settle much.

 

[hanoverphist]

Originally posted by: ChaoZ
Is it those cracking sounds? I thought it had to do with the temperature.

a lot of it is. wood expands and contracts a lot with wide temp changes. i have wood inside the house, but the exterior walls are all block. i dont get much settling at all. it was built in 55

 

[MotionMan]

Originally posted by: ChaoZ
Is it those cracking sounds? I thought it had to do with the temperature.

I think most people call those noises "settling". I have always assumed that the house will always make noise (especially at night) due to temperature changes, so it is hard to say when (or if) any "settling" stops.

MotionMan

 

[waffleironhead]

If the foundation is proper, there should not be any settling. Are there any cracks in the foundation?

 

[eplebnista]

Never

 

[GagHalfrunt]

Hearing "settling" noises does not necessarily mean the house is actually settling. Changes in temperature and humidity will cause the lumber and masonry to expand and contract over the entire lifetime of the house. Every house can make popping sounds once in a while even if built on solid bedrock with a foundation that's perfect.

 

[MotF Bane]

I think this house is around sixty, and it still isn't quite done, although major construction didn't help.

 

[PlasmaBomb]

Originally posted by: hanoverphist

Originally posted by: ChaoZ
Is it those cracking sounds? I thought it had to do with the temperature.

a lot of it is. wood expands and contracts a lot with wide temp changes. i have wood inside the house, but the exterior walls are all block. i dont get much settling at all. it was built in 55

And it is what makes whisk(e)y taste the way it does

 

[TridenT]

This used to happen a lot when I was in a new house... After a few years it went away.

So I voted: Years.

 

[Perknose]

When does a house stop settling?

Dr. Phil says it's when it decides not to take any more guff and stand up for itself!