Underpinning issue

[Homeowner5]

House was underpinned a few months back. Very dry clay underneath. The winter rains have started. We have a horizontal crack appearing at the corner of our scullery door 5 months on. Would this be due to settlement or is the underpinning questionable. Any engineers or builders with any advice would be appreciated. Our builder thinks he did an amazing job and it should just be filled and watched but I believe it’s on the move and am quite concerned.

 

[erduplessis]

Where are you located? Check the following link...specifically page 5: http://sahita.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Module-6-SAHITA-Problem-soils.pdf.

I can't tell from your post if the builder underpinned, and now that the rains are here, the crack is reappearing, or if the crack has basically always been there and is not just getting bigger. This drought in Cape Town, and dropping water tables is causing havoc with foundations. There are some conversations on 4x4 Community Forum as well...for example: http://www.4x4community.co.za/forum/showthread.php/200454-Crack-in-outside-wall-of-house?highlight=foundation

Etienne