Cracks in L-stone - what is a shrinkage crack, what is a defect?

2018-09-06 13:21:10

Good day,

one of our L-shaped stones unfortunately shows cracks that have also grown over the past few months. The landscaper says these are shrinkage cracks and normal. Could you take a look at them?

Cracks in spring 2018:

Cracks from two weeks ago – it has worsened, in the lower left third water apparently flowed out of the hole.

What do you think?

Thanks & regards

2018-09-06 13:37:00

Caution layman’s opinion: I think L-shaped stones must not show cracks, as they are not cast on site. A clean surface is expected for L-shaped stones.

2018-09-06 14:11:56

Caution layman's opinion: I think L-blocks must not show any cracks because they are not concreted on site. One expects a clean surface for L-blocks.

That is also my (layman's) standpoint...

2018-09-06 14:42:30

The crucial question is whether the cracks are only superficial or if the element is actually broken. In the latter case, it should be replaced. The only one that seems relevant to me is the one continuous and somewhat deeper crack further down; the others are obviously only superficial. Can't you see from the side how far it goes in? That bit of water doesn't necessarily have to seep through from the other side (then it would definitely be a problem), maybe it just accumulates at that spot because of the superficial crack itself. To me, it looks like that. P.S. I basically have no idea about it either, I just read up on it briefly.

2018-09-06 16:03:20

The crucial question is whether the cracks are only superficial or whether the element is actually broken. In the latter case, it should be replaced. What seems relevant to me anyway is only the one continuous and somewhat deeper crack further down; the others are quite obviously only superficial. Can't you see from the side how far it goes in? That little bit of water doesn't necessarily have to penetrate from the other side (that would definitely be a problem), maybe it simply accumulates at the spot because of the superficial crack itself. That’s what it looks like to me. P.S. I basically have no idea about this either, I just read up on it a bit.

Following my complaint about defects, the company covered the crack with concrete compound but at the same time declared it as "not a defect." The correction was made without prior notice – therefore, I currently have no way to verify how deep the crack actually is. On the left and right, there are also L-shaped stones. Are there permitted tolerances or similar here?

2018-09-06 16:18:15

As long as no water reaches the reinforcement, the whole thing is actually only an aesthetic problem and can be fixed by filling it in. You will see over time if the part is actually broken and the iron starts to rust, as a little filling won't change that. It doesn't look like that to me so far.

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Cracks in L-stone - what is a shrinkage crack, what is a defect?

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