This photo is the masonry foundation repair of the front wall of a 45 year old house.  It is one of many techniques that can be used for such a repair.

The masonry foundation had been suffering from horizontal cracking.

Around here a big factor contributing to this problem are expansive clay soils.  Certainly soil/water pressure is the culprit, but clay soils can shrink when very dry and then, when wetted, can expand with greater force than normal.

Such force works on these walls, over time and even quickly!

When it happens, and if there has been enough movement, a structural engineer should get involved.

 

 

And one certainly got involved here!

This engineer's solution was one of many, and involved installing small, steel I-beams against a foundation wall that was pushed back into a plumb condition.

This is one of about six such posts used to gird up the structure.

They continue every six feet or so from this one toward the left.

I could detect no bulging in that wall!

Each of these posts is anchored between floor joists to become a part of the structure of the house.

And they extend below the floor slab, deeply enough to have their own secure anchor there, to be filled in with a new slab at the entry point.

It is extremely strong.

Of course, outside more work has to be done to divert water and soil pressure off of the foundation wall.

Together these two solutions provide a peace of mind that future foundation problems will not be an issue.  This seller was able to provide the engineer's solution recommendations, final report and the County approval.  Getting and reviewing all that paper work, my clients were very satisfied.

My recommendation:  when you see something like this don't be upset!  It obviously indicates a professional, and probably permanent, solution to a previous problem.  And of course, any information or paper work the seller can provide is extremely useful.

 

 

 

Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC  

Based in Bristow, serving all of Northern Virginia

www.jaymarinspect.com


 
This post has been included in Virginia Real Estate News Prince William County, VA Real Estate News Bristow, VA Real Estate News
Post is included in group: Addicted to Active Rain
Post is included in group: Adventures in Home Inspecting
Post is included in group: Best Practices
Post is included in group: Professional Home Inspectors
Post is included in group: WeBlog Anything (almost)!

40 Comments on Masonry Foundation Repair - Steel Posts

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

FEB
21
2012
492,341 Points 29 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

You make such sense, out of something that would look a little freightning to the average homeowner. Thank you for sharing the post with us.
5:01am • #21

Lucky where I do business here is California we do not run into this type of issue. But looking to expand to other areas that have basement  thank you for letting me know what to look out for in an appraisal 
5:35am • #22
1,154,702 Points 29 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Jay this is a great consumer information and would be of interest in my market since the majority of homes have basements.

I appreciate the information you share.
6:09am • #23
728,881 Points 15 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Jay, structural engineers are worth every penny. Often what looks like a disaster can often be fixed easily with their help. They did a good job on your example.
6:09am • #24

Great post Jay, I wish all sellers could provide the engineering documents.
6:59am • #25
487,821 Points 4 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

If I saw those steel beams going through I would probably think that there was some type of issue however those steel beams look pretty heavy duty and would hold up a lot of weight. 
7:31am • #26
836,047 Points 69 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

When I hear the word foundation in any conversation, it is like the kiss of death...even if it is remedied and when it comes time to disclose, makes people consider buying another home
7:34am • #27
619,869 Points 8 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

A buyer who see's this blog who is thinking of buying a home that has these steel posts in the basement I think will feel much more comfortable with their potential purchase now that they know why they are there and what they are doing.

 
7:59am • #28
226,413 Points Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Jay -- great explanation with pictures that assist in understanding.  That must be one of the reasons you are an in demand inspector!
12:02pm • #29
1,360,170 Points 93 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

One time I said to a buyer...  "don't be upset!  It obviously indicates a professional, and probably permanent, solution to a previous problem."

I can not remember what the disclosure said about the repairs to the basement walls.  We had seen walls in a number of this model throughout the neighborhood that had cracking on this wall (not the wall that usually  has this crack at the frostline in our market with it's heavy clay soil.) 

WRONG... the builder (original builder) did the beams and they were not fastened correctly.  As I recall the problem was Each of these posts is WAS NOT anchored between floor joists to become a part of the structure of the house.

Her home inspector (an engineer)  caught it and prescribed the fix that would make the beams  become a part of the structure of the house.   We negotiated for the sellers to pay  for the beams to be installed correctly. 

 

 
1:25pm • #30
127,001 Points 2 Featured Posts

What's a basement?

No seriously most buyers run at the sound of foundation repairs, even when repaired.  We have a short sale right now on the market that buyers won't touch because it has some slight foundation issues and instead of getting a foundation report to give to potential buyers, the listing agent just notes "some possible foundation issues" in MLS.

2:41pm • #31
972,711 Points 348 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Joe - thanks.  Sometimes a little edjumakashun is all that a client needs.

Nathan - you have other structural anomalies to think about out there!  Like, um, shaking?

Thanks Jennifer.  I'm glad you can use it!

Mike - they are sometimes very necessary.  This was a good job.

Brad - I have to admit, having all that documentation was very unusual!  And great to see.
2:50pm • #32
972,711 Points 348 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Morgan - especially spaced as they were and in a row.

Richie - in this case they had the documents, and I was able to explain exactly what they were looking at.

Hence my post Eileen!  Glad to do it too!

Steven - education is the most basic reason for a home inspection. My opinion...

Maureen - probably good to leave the opinions to the engineers!

Faye - they are holes in the ground into which you pour money and the men of the house put their stuff.  Often times called a cave.
2:53pm • #33
Outside Blog

Jay - great information and pictures on pretty much a common problem of foundation cracks. With those steel post that will won't move.

Also I seem to be having a problem posting Gutters Done Right on Best Practices, even cut and paste won't work. But I'll keep trying.
3:28pm • #34
359,886 Points 42 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Well, Jay~congrats on your Gold Star. Do you guys have a lot of clay there?  We have quite a bit of clay in our soils here in Orygun (at least the northwest part)....maybe I should take heed??
5:10pm • #35
972,711 Points 348 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Thanks Eric.  First, join the group.  Then control C your post.  From there push "Post To Group," and control V your post.  It should appear!

Gayle - yes we do and clay soils are a problem everywhere they are found!
6:11pm • #36
547,229 Points 9 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Jay:

Structural Engineers are worth their weight in gold.  They can fix problems that seem impossible to fix.  But you do have to pay dearly for their services.
7:50pm • #37
FEB
22
2012
972,711 Points 348 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I have heard that Evelyn.  But they have student loans too!
12:02am • #38
567,003 Points 140 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

You say the structure has been girded. So are the posts a girdle? Just wondering.

This is obviously a good and proper repair. Something we don't see very often. 
4:54am • #39
548,345 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Great observation Jay.  This does not represent a "problem" but rather a good solution.
2:01pm • #40

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

Login or register to leave a comment
 
Jay_light_ar_photo Rainmaker_large

Jay Markanich - N. Virginia Home Inspector

Bristow, VA

More about me…

Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC

Address: 12315 Sherborne Street, Bristow, VA, 20136

Office Phone: (703) 330-6388

Cell Phone: (703) 585-7560

Email Me

An experienced home inspector's look at current home inspection events and conditions along with his useful recommendations.


Listings

Links

Archives

RSS 2.0 Feed for this blog

Find VA real estate agents and Bristow real estate on ActiveRain.