Foundation Inspection Services in Connecticut
The concrete upon which your home stands can fail and crumble just like any other structure. It's important to address any home foundation issues quickly with crumbling foundations costing homeowners in Connecticut as much as $150,000 to stabilize the foundation of their home once again.
There are several reasons why concrete fails to bond together that we evaluate during our foundation inspection process. One prevalent cause that has affected many residents in Connecticut is related to a mineral found called pyrrhotite.
Pyrrhotite Foundation Testing
Pyrrhotite can cause concrete used for foundations, septic tanks, precast concrete products (i.e. hatchways, stairs) to fail by breaking down. The initial signs of pyrrhotite causing foundation issues are called mapping cracks. Initially, mapping cracks are small and hard to see and eventually grow to be very large and cause shifting and movement to the product.
Testing concrete foundations for pyrrhotite can be a difficult process, which is why it is important to know the proper techniques to complete. A professional will make the pyrrhotite foundation testing process much less of a headache and can save you money down the road as well.
Methods to Test Pyrrhotite in Foundation
There are three ways to test a foundation for signs of pyrrhotite:
- Visual inspection: This is limited and is hard to pick up small cracking in the initial stages
- Solution spray: This is applied to the foundation and highlights cracks that cannot be seen with the naked eye. This will help when looking to see if the foundation has started to react to the pyrrhotite and is in the initial stages.
- Core samples (or core taps): This is when an approximately 4″ round sample is taken in 2 locations of the foundation and sent out for independent analysis from a lab of your choice. The hole is then filled properly to prevent leaking and the samples are labeled and sent to the lab. Once the lab evaluates the content they provide a report that provides the amount of pyrrhotite in the core samples. This process has been recommended from the state of Connecticut to get on the list for assistance.
If you have noticed any cracks or instability in the foundation of your home, give us a call at 860-646-9983 and one of our inspectors will come out to provide you with a thorough foundation inspection. You will receive a detailed report and our certified foundation and structure inspectors will take the time to explain any and all issues. This inspection and report will help you learn the extent to the damage and whether or not you need repairs.
Important Information for Connecticut Homeowners
If a Condo, PUD, home, addition, or outbuilding was built between 1983–2017, the buyer has the right to have an foundation evaluation by a Connecticut-licensed professional engineer prior to purchase. If the buyer chooses not to do this evaluation they waive the right for assistance through the Connecticut Foundations Solutions Indemnity Company, Inc. (CFSIC)
You can have core samples taken and sent to a lab for analysis to determine if the mineral pyrrhotite exists in the foundation.
Review From Your Neighbor
Cindy Harger❝
I had a great experience with Andre Bernard who completed my home inspection. Andre explained everything! He was thorough, gave me the rundown on what he found during every step of the inspection, he also left his card and told me to contact him if I had further concerns. I was given an SIS folder with the logo"We Do More Than Inspect, We Educate" and as an educator myself, they did just that for me.