Can all foundation problems be fixed? Most foundation problems can be fixed; however, there are two exceptions. A majority of house foundation problems can be fixed in a timely manner. The exceptions are...
A majority of house foundation problems can be fixed in a timely manner. The exceptions are very, very uncommon, says Fred Marshall, owner of Advanced Foundation Repair. His company started repairing foundations 13 years ago and has repaired more than 10,000 foundations. Two problems that can occur in foundations that are not repairable are slope failures, and a concrete foundation built without steel reinforcing. "Once these types foundations start to disintegrate, they are usually not repairable," says Marshall.
If a concrete foundation is built without steel reinforcing, then more than likely the foundation will eventually give out. Steel reinforcing helps the foundation wall bear stress while mechanical vibration soothes the concrete to void air bubbles, which might weaken the concrete. Steel reinforcing, also known as rebar, is added and the hollows in the blocks are often filled with concrete. If a foundation is missing steel rods for reinforcement, there is not a way to correct the problem in the future. The foundation will eventually give out because of the amount of weight the house adds to the foundation. A house needs a foundation to shoulder its weight and provide a flat and level base for construction. It is very important to get a house inspected before buying, to see how the foundation was built, and to see if it needs to be repaired. If one is not experienced in detecting foundation problems, then one may not be able see if the foundation does not have steel reinforcing. "Many homeowners that are looking to sell, ignore this foundation problem because of cost," says Marshall. "Then the house is sold and the new homeowner is having to pay a lot of money to protect a huge asset."
The other exception is when you have slope failure. Slope failure is when the house is sitting on ground and the ground starts to slide away. Slope failures or mass movements are major natural hazards. Every year in the United States this natural disaster causes millions of dollars in damage to highways and homes. According to Natural Hazards.org, slope failures can be triggered by a variety of natural events including earthquakes, heavy rainfall, or freezing and thawing of the ground. Slope failure occurs when people modify landscapes or it can be caused by natural disasters. This disaster will happen where slopes exist. "Generally, areas which receive ample precipitation and have moderate to steep slopes are most at risk," says the website. In the state of Kentucky, 50% of the state is at risk of slope failures because sink holes form in karsts landscapes, where water has broken up bedrock. This disaster can occur any time of the year but is more likely to occur during seasons of excessive rain or snow. It is very difficult to put something under the house that is strong enough to resist sideways movement once the hill fails. If a slope gives out that a home rests upon, then the outcome is never good. More than likely the home will be damaged beyond repair along with the ground that the home and foundation were on.
