pls take some photo and post it here, if those cracks only occur at surface (plaster cracks) then u can fix it use semen... hack bigger area then redo the plastering with some fiber mesh.

if the cracks is structure cracks ( cracks on concrete) then u need someone to check on the stability.............. do u feel any vibration while walking on the stair, u may want to stand at the 5th step, ask your wife/son to jump on 7/8th step , if u can detect vibration then u better move out..until u verify the house structure is sound.........LOL

This post has been edited by skng03: Feb 2 2010, 08:36 PM

the crack happens at the middle of the staircase (at the waist) is because of the bending moment n deflection behavior..meaning to say ur staircase is failed in term of structural...normal concrete crack is allowed to 0.3mm...
putting cement or paint is no help, the crack will become bigger in future...

wa so scary..omg


so any idea to fix it ? cost ?



This post has been edited by dvinez: Feb 3 2010, 11:42 AM

update, i calculated the staircase got 14 step. (maybe 13 not sure how to calculate)
middle crack is at 8-9th step. picture will try to get asap.

Engineering code specifies that the surface width of cracks should not generally exceed 0.3 mm. Anything, however generally any cracks from 0.3mm to 3mm is not critical. If it is more than 3mm then immediate action need to be taken.

Take picture so that can see how severe is the crack.

3mm, is it the diameter of crack ? or long ? if long sure more than 3mm alrdy.

3mm is the width of the crack not length of the crack ... anyway dun worry too much if it is less than 3mm width ... if i remember LDP highway had >30mm width cracks and still standing ... however they had rectify the structure already ... cheers

will get my ruler and check it asap lol =.="

Hi, just to share my view...

Most likely the crack is structure crack, suspected due to under provide of steel reinforcement.

I suggest you to ask your neighbour if they have the same problem. If it happens to all unit at the same location. High percentage there are problem with the design and you should inform the developer for rectification/varification.

If you happen know someone who is engineer and if you manage to bought the structure plan of your unit, can ask them for help and give you their professional view.

Once the root cause identified. the rectification would be simple.
Hope it helps

I just renovated my house and build a new concrete stairs with store room below it.
I also put cheap tiles throughout the stairs. my stairs has around 18 steps.
It costs me roughly between rm5k to rm7k.

mine no store room below..build store below better ?
rm5k-rm7k for 1 batang stair ?
can i have ur contractor no.?

---

Added on February 4, 2010, 4:28 pmit is second hand old house, so every house different..cos last time staircase is kayu with lubang lubang one..
if not enuff steel so must remake ? can fix ? remake will cost a lot of time and how i can go upstair.
checked last night, the crack was 1mm or less..

This post has been edited by dvinez: Feb 4 2010, 04:28 PM

It might be structural crack or not as some crack do occur due to method of construction ....
Since it is just 1mm crack then it can be considered a hairline crack which most of the time caused by :

Drying shrinkage – as concrete cures and goes through it’s chemical reaction between the water and cement particles it begins to “dry” out. As with most materials that dry out they begin to shrink causing hairline cracks to appear.

Thermal shrinkage – all materials shrink and expand with changes in temperature. As concrete cools down (the chemical reaction that’s created when water and cement is mixed creates heat) it shrinks. The shrinking from cooling down can also cause hairline cracks to appear.

If you are still worried then you can monitor at the concrete on both sides of the crack and try to determine whether or not there has been any relative movement between the sides, up/down, left/right, in/out. Like what I said earlier on you need to take immediate action if the cracks are more than 3mm width.

You should check the crack in the concrete itself and not just the plaster.
If the crack is in the plastering only, then it is not be structure problem. Thus the staircase will not collapse.
It is the crack in the concrete that you should be worry about.

sorry old topic..got too busy i totally forgotten about it until i saw the crack yesterday..

the cracks gotten bigger, but not much probably 0.5mm or so...


how to check whether its plaster or concrete ? actually i think i cannot differentiate both of them...

anyone have good contractor ? i want to fix the cracks in my house, cos i dont like to see it..

those filler i bought from ace hardware, will crack again after 1-2 months or so..

U have to check whether there's displacement on both sides of the crack. If there's displacement even for 1mm, the stairs is not stable and will collapse! if not, treat it like hairline crack. Since each time u walk on the stairs, there's going to be vibration, solid filler may not work for your case, as the line will reappear. U can try mixing silicone base filler with cement (or some flexible filler), and fill the gap accordingly, it will work.

It all comes down to the word CASH...
Sorry for being direct. If U ask here no one have seen it. Want a real advice get pro's advice on site viewing. As for me, you're repairing your doubt more than the stairs.
If U used MRR2 when it's known of being cracked then U got the guts not to repair ur staircase

If U got de CASH then just take it as you're buying a sleeping pill to help U sleep better at night.


This post has been edited by khoodennis: Oct 27 2010, 02:16 AM

agreed with khoodennis

you have been asking for opinion since february, but until now still not yet fix / get any contractor for quotation?

the hairline cracks are to be negligible.. inless the depth is very deep

already used it for about 1 year, will the displacement show up ? (if it is showing up)
will find the silicone base filler and try...thanks

cash i have a lot, and i want to sleep real better without sleeping pill. sorry to being direct.
i just dont want ppl to dirty my house and move my furniture here and there if possible.
as for me, you are not helping but telling me you are clever with guts.

thanks bro, i had been looking for a real good one who can fix it permanently, not those who only talk bullshit.
if you renovated your house before, i'm sure you know that most of them talk and look so promising/reliable and it became totally different when the project/payment is almost complete.
my purpose is to hide/fix those cracks permanently, not only staircase but also wall.

if u have good/skillful contractor please share.

found a good contractor nearby my house