Foundations: Tips and Articles

Tips by Real-Estate-Agents.com

Articles and tips about Foundations, of interest to homeowners.

Rotting Behind a Cinder Block Wall: Q: I have a cinder block wall in a finished basement in a house built in 1978. Behind the paneling, the drywall and the studs were rotted out from moisture. A sump pump was added at some point before we bought it, but there is no evidence of standing water. There are hairline cracks in the wall on the outside, below ground level, but no large cracks (as far as I can tell). After removing the drywall and insulation, the cinder blocks were damp, not wet, but dried out eventually. Do I need to trench around the foundation and re-coat with waterproofing, or is waterproof paint on the inside good enough?; Read more: Rotting Behind a Cinder Block Wall ...

Water Seepage: Finding the cause of water seepage is essential to its cure. The hardest type of water problem to correct is one created by faulty construction practices at the time the house was built.; Read more: Water Seepage ...

Sinking Foundation: Q: I live in the foothills where my 21-year-old two-storey home is built on a hillside. One end of the house sits on solid granite and the other end sits on landfill. The house has been sinking on the landfill end for the entire 21 years I have lived here, which has created wall cracks, slab cracks, a cracked beam in the attic, door frames that periodically require shaving of the door or latch in order for it to close properly, and other problems. I'd like to know what type of contractor or engineer I should contact in order to have this problem assessed for repairs and costs.; Read more: Sinking Foundation ...

Sealing a Concrete Foundation: Q: How do I seal a concrete slab foundation that is leaking water into the covering pad and carpet? I know that I likely will have to have new pads or carpets installed, but before I do that, I'd like to know if there is a sealer that will prevent the water from coming up from the ground. Or is there another solution?; Read more: Sealing a Concrete Foundation ...

Sealing a Foundation: A strong foundation is necessary in tackling any construction project. Moisture that enters the home through the foundation walls and floor can lead to problems such as mold growth and can contribute to a variety of health problems for the homeowner.; Read more: Sealing a Foundation ...

Installing a Concrete Foundation: This information can clarify and help answer some questions about installing a concrete foundation.; Read more: Installing a Concrete Foundation ...

Repair Cinder Block Foundation: Q: The front of my home is supported by two cinder block pillars, creating a five-foot high crawl space, which is under my porch and part of the front bedroom. One pillar has slipped over time and needs to be replaced. I'm not sure if the footing needs to be redone. Will this project require someone to use a house jack to bear the house while work is being done? Who can I trust to take care of this properly for me?; Read more: Repair Cinder Block Foundation ...

Foundation Repairs: Q: We have had some foundation damage as a result of a flood. We have been advised that we need to have slurry pumped underneath the house, to fill the large voids that were washed away.; Read more: Foundation Repairs ...

Foundation Repair Options: Q: The west half of my home is falling from the foundation. I have had two estimates and they are vastly different. One person thinks that I need 13 piers and recommends a concrete piling driven into bedrock or refusal with a lifetime warranty. The other is recommending eight duel shaft concrete, 20-year limited warranty, driven nine feet into rock, which would be a budget saver if I plan to sell my home in the next ten years. Why the difference in the number of pilings?; Read more: Foundation Repair Options ...

Effects of Cracked Foundation: Q: We have detected several cracks in our cement foundation. Our vinyl flooring is puckering. Is this a serious problem?; Read more: Effects of Cracked Foundation ...

Foundation Drainage: The foundation is a vulnerable place for water intrusion. Improper drainage around the foundation is a major cause of leaking foundations. When a drainage system is used in residential construction, it is usually a combination of a gravel drainage layer with a foundation drain, either drain tile or perforated PVC pipe.; Read more: Foundation Drainage ...