-
Quick Tour
Connect. Share. Learn.Welcome to ActiveRain, the #1 social community for real estate professionals.- Explore the world's largest storehouse of real estate knowledge
- Access free training on ActiveRain University
- Share the experience of life in the real estate industry
- Grow your business through real estate blogging
- Blogs
-
Resources
Product Reviews Curious as to what others in your profession think about a certain product or tool? AR's community takes the time to leave honest and transparent reviews of their experiences so you can be a bit wiser about your purchase.
- Broken down by categories and subcategories for easy finds
- Get an unfiltered look at what real users are saying
- Leave a review yourself for others to benefit from
- Add new products as you use them and gain points for doing so
|
Interestingly the other side was the same way!
;)
;)
;)
Find VA real estate agents and Bristow real estate on ActiveRain.
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
© 2013 ActiveRain Corp. All Rights Reserved
23 Comments on Floating Foundation
Morning Jay and that sir is one of the many reasons why I go to AR so I can learn things new. Most every day someone tells me something I didn't know and today is one of those days
I could not detect a lintel Jeff, but the engineer says it works structurally. Soil does seem to be eroding away, on the sides and near the house.
Hard to see from directly above, this is an upside-down volcano and about 6' deep.
And the engineer says it isn't recommended and prefers that concrete underneath.
It is apparently done all over, it's just that I had never seen it and doing this for 31 years that would indicate it's fairly rare around here.
But I found an answer!
And you are right, those blocks are heavy!
I'm glad James. That's why I am on AR too - I learn a lot!
Wow! That would take you sit up and take notice. Yet another example of water intrusion and the problems it can cause!
Kathryn - structurally it seems sound and has been there for 12 years. But the erosion is a second issue, and the one that had me bothered the most.
All things considered, it wouldn't take an engineer to tell me that this is a risky home purchase. Any structure that is offered for sale with an unrepaired "sink hole" is far riskier than my risk tolerance.
The engineer who said he had "seen it before" compared it to a similar sink hold but without knowing the actual cause.
Living in Loudoun County, my first question would be "what's UNDER that sink hole?" We have an entire area of Loudoun County down route 15 north of Leesburg where the limestone overlay area is full of sink holes and they are not something one wants under their home or near their well.
Goodness. Never a dull moment in the life of a home inspector.
Lintels are fine, but, again, I'm not comfortable with them as a "repair" or "fix" for what could be a continuing erosion problem.
Yes, I'm severely risk averse.
I would always be concerned, when I saw a sinkhole. That would need to investigated further.
I have heard the term "floating foundation" before, but never really undstood what that meant.
Thank you for sharing the post with all of us.
Which is why I contacted him Lenn. He lives out near you! I did his home inspection! In my opinion it was a pretty deep sink hole. He wanted to fill it and stop the erosion with concrete under the wall. I think that hole has happened over time.
Joe - I had not seen this before, but sink holes are just that. And probably still sinking!
I guess if you live long enough you'll see most evverything. Notice I said most? =:o) Was there any other indications of defects caused by the unsupported areas?
Jay -- if the sink hole is 6' deep now, and the home has only been there 12 years, in a couple of years, with some normal heavy rains, they may have enough open space under the house to frame in a basement.
No, Doug, nothing. That was one thing it had going for it, no movement in 12 years.
Steven - the sink hole bothered me a lot. That's why the engineer said to try to control moisture intrusion.
Jay, bridging spans like that with poured concrete is a no brainer---but with concrete blocks?
Interesting find Jay, sounds a bit wierd but if the engineer is okay with it...
Like I said Charlie, I have never seen it before. Nor the sinking like that. It was baffling enough that I sent them to an engineer.
Tom - he did say it was not recommended. Beyond that, seeing it before doesn't make me feel better, but they are the clients and they can think for themselves after hearing from me and an engineer.
That is odd. I would think it has to be a problem over time structurally due to erosion. Did you notice any settling any where?
None Jim, in 12 years. But, as the engineer said, the structure might be sound, but not recommended. Sinking soil can never help!
Jay, I have heard of some huge sink hole in Quebec, but have never seen one (or heard of one) around here...
Sink holes happen all over, in small scales Chris. It happened near here in the middle of a road!
Jay, hope this will be the only floating foundation you find this week! See you Saturday.
Any foundation of Webster Street has likely been there for a while Pat! And I don't remember seeing one before anywhere!
Login or register to leave a comment