California Real Estate Practice Exam

If a house shows wide cracks in the basement walls, this is typically due to:

1. Deterioration due to moisture

2. Natural settling of the house

3. Normal curing of the concrete

4. Weakening of the foundation

The correct answer is: Deterioration due to moisture

The presence of wide cracks in the basement walls is most often indicative of deterioration due to moisture. When moisture infiltrates the foundation, it can lead to the expansion and contraction of the materials involved, causing significant stress and ultimately resulting in wide cracks. This moisture-related deterioration can weaken the structural integrity of the walls, leading to further issues if not addressed. While natural settling of a house can cause some movement and cracking, it typically results in smaller, more hairline cracks as the house adjusts to its foundation. Normal curing of concrete is a process that occurs early on and does not typically lead to large or wide cracks. Weakening of the foundation can be a concern, but the immediate visible signs of wide cracks are more directly linked to moisture issues rather than inherent weakness of the foundation. Therefore, the connection between moisture and the observed condition in the walls makes this the most accurate choice.