Should I Be Concerned About The 'Crack' In My Basement Wood Beam?

It may look alarming and appear to be a crack. However, the 'cracks' are actually called Checking.

The following photos are from two of our previous inspections (Click to enlarge):

WHAT IS CHECKING?

Checking is often times found in big wood timbers such as deck posts or wood beams in older basements. Checking is a natural process that occurs when wood dries and cracks in a long, parallel pattern along the grain of the wood. As the wood dries, the outside dries quicker than the interior causing differential shrinkage and subsequently causing checking.

IS CHECKING A CAUSE FOR CONCERN?

>Typically,< this is not a structural issue, only a cosmetic issue.

For detailed information about checking, read more from 'Wood Science Consulting'.

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