Wall Cracking in Prefabricated Panel Houses

Wall cracking in prefabricated panel houses is a common issue, which may be caused by factors such as inherent defects in the house or its service life. The determination of responsibility depends on the specific circumstances, and the danger level of the cracks depends on their width, location, and changes.

Cracking Caused by Inherent Defects in the House

Prefabricated panel houses inherently have some defects. Their structural strength is low as they are assembled from individual prefabricated panels, lacking robustness and flexibility. Over time, cracks tend to appear in the walls. Moreover, the service life of prefabricated panel houses is relatively short. As time goes on, issues such as wall cracks gradually emerge, and many older prefabricated panel houses are identified as 'dilapidated houses'. Additionally, prefabricated panel buildings have poor thermal insulation. During extreme weather conditions in winter and summer, wall cracks may also occur due to thermal expansion and contraction.

Determination of Responsibility

If the house is within the warranty period, according to the 'Regulation on the Quality Management of Construction Projects', if quality issues occur within the warranty scope and period of a construction project, the construction unit shall fulfill its warranty obligations and be liable for compensation for the resulting losses. The warranty period for foundation and main structure works is the reasonable service life specified in the design documents, usually far exceeding 40 years. If wall cracks are a main structure issue, long-term warranty applies. If the house has exceeded the warranty period, the maintenance responsibility for the owner's exclusive parts (such as indoor walls) is borne by the owner, who can organize the maintenance themselves or entrust a professional agency to handle it. If the cracks involve public areas (such as exterior walls and roofs), owners can apply for the use of maintenance funds for buildings and their附属 facilities (ancillary facilities) in accordance with the 'Civil Code of the People's Republic of China' and use them for maintenance after a joint decision by the owners.

Determination of the Danger Level of Cracks

Whether a prefabricated panel crack will cause the house to collapse depends mainly on the width, location, and changes of the crack. If the crack exceeds 1 millimeter or appears in load-bearing walls, beams, etc., special attention is required. Fine parallel small cracks on the wall are generally not dangerous, but if the cracks spread like branches or the reinforcing steel bars are exposed and rusty, a professional agency must be immediately contacted for handling.