Gauging the size of the basement wall crack

There are many ways to measure the size of the crack, but sometimes the best ways are the simple ones. The inspector was able to insert a pen into the wall crack, and since everyone knows the size and shape of a simple ball point pen, it is a great reference. DryZone has found that some people don't quite understand the severity of the situation from numbers and facts. Simple, real world references are much more effective when educating the homeowner. You should never be ok with a crack like this in the basement wall.