California Real Estate Practice Exam

If an appraiser observes wide cracks in the walls of a basement, the probable cause is:

1. Deterioration due to moisture

2. Normal curing of the concrete

3. Settling of the house

4. Weakening joists

The correct answer is: Deterioration due to moisture

The presence of wide cracks in the walls of a basement is often indicative of deterioration due to moisture. When moisture seeps into the walls, it can cause the materials to swell and weaken over time, leading to substantial cracking. This deterioration is particularly common in basements, which are more susceptible to water intrusion. While normal curing of concrete can initially create minor cracks, they typically are small and do not represent the significant and wide cracks observed in this scenario. Settling of the house could lead to cracks, but these would generally appear more uniform and related to foundation issues rather than being concentrated in a specific area like the basement walls. Weakening joists may result in structural issues but would not directly cause wide cracks in the walls themselves. Hence, when wide cracks are noted in the basement, moisture-related deterioration is the most probable cause.