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AGE of a BUILDING - how to determine
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BEST CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES GUIDE

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BRICK WALL DRAINAGE WEEP HOLES
BUCKLED FOUNDATIONS due to INSULATION?
BUILDING SAFETY HAZARDS GUIDE
BUILDING SETTLEMENT

CHIMNEY INSPECTION DIAGNOSIS REPAIR
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CONCRETE FOUNDATIONS, PRE-CAST
Cracks, Checking or Splitting Beams & Log Homes
CRAWL SPACES

DECK & PORCH CONSTRUCTION
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FLOOD DAMAGE ASSESSMENT, SAFETY & CLEANUP
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FOOTING & FOUNDATION DRAINS
FOOTINGS EXPOSED, Repair Methods

FOUNDATION BULGE or LEAN MEASUREMENTS
  How to Measure Foundation Movement
  Example of Measuring Foundation Bulge
FOUNDATION CONSTRUCTION TYPES
FOUNDATION CONTRACTORS, ENGINEERS
FOOTING & FOUNDATION DRAINS
FOOTINGS EXPOSED, Repair Methods

FOUNDATION CRACKS & DAMAGE GUIDE
  BRICK FOUNDATIONS & WALLS
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    CRACK MONITORING Methods
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    SHRINKAGE vs EXPANSION vs SETTLEMENT
    Sinkholes & Building Damage
    Thermal Expansion Cracking of Brick
    VERTICAL FOUNDATION CRACKS
  FOUNDATION BULGE or LEAN MEASUREMENTS
  FOUNDATION DAMAGE REPORTS
  FOUNDATION DAMAGE SEVERITY
  FOUNDATION INSPECTION STANDARDS
  FOUNDATION MOVEMENT ACTIVE vs. STATIC
  FOUNDATION REPAIR METHODS
  PIER or PILE FOUNDATIONS
  SITE FACTORS AFFECTING FOUNDATIONS
  SLAB CRACK EVALUATION

FOUNDATION DEFECTS OF OMISSION - MISSING

FOUNDATION FAILURES by TYPE & MATERIAL
  BLOCK FOUNDATION & WALL DEFECTS
  BRICK FOUNDATION & WALL DEFECTS
  BRICK STRUCTURAL WALLS Loose, Bulged
  Brick Thermal Expansion Cracking
  BRICK VENEER WALL Loose, Bulged
  BRICK WALL DRAINAGE WEEP HOLES
  CONCRETE POURED FOUNDATION WALL, SLAB DEFECTS
  CONCRETE PRE-CAST FOUNDATION DEFECTS
  PIER FOUNDATION PROBLEMS
  STONE FOUNDATION DEFECTS
  WOOD FOUNDATION DEFECTS

FOUNDATION FAILURES by MOVEMENT TYPE
  BRICK FOUNDATIONS & WALLS
  BUCKLED FOUNDATIONS due to INSULATION?
  BULGED vs. LEANING FOUNDATIONS
  COMBINATIONS OF FOUNDATION MOVEMENT
  HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT IN FOUNDATIONS
  SETTLEMENT IN FOUNDATIONS
  SHRINKAGE CRACKS in CONCRETE
  VERTICAL MOVEMENT IN FOUNDATIONS
    Diagonal Cracks in Concrete Foundations
    Diagonal Step Cracking in Masonry
    Differential vs. Uniform Settlement Cracks
    Leaning or Tipping Buildings
    Uniform Width vs. Tapered Foundation Cracks
    Vertical Cracks

FOUNDATION INSPECTION METHODS
FOUNDATION INSULATION OPTIONS
FOUNDATION MATERIALS, Age, Types

FOUNDATION REPAIR METHODS
  Bulged foundation Repairs
    Pilasters for Repair of Bulge, Cracks
    Reinforcing Steel I-Beams for Wall Bulge
    Foundation Anchors for Foundation Movement
    Reinforcing Sister Walls for Foundations
    Cables for Repair of Foundations
    Reconstruction of Bulged Cracked Foundations
  Crack Repair Methods
  FOOTINGS EXPOSED, Repair Methods
  Horizontal Movement Repairs
  Seal Cracks by Polyurethane Foam Injection
  Seal Cracks in Concrete, How To
  Shrinkage Crack Repairs
    How to Seal Cracks in Concrete
    Polyurethane Foam Injection
  SLAB CRACK REPAIR
  Vertical Foundation Movement Repairs

FOUNDATION SETTLEMENT
FOUNDATION WATERPROOFING

FRAMING DAMAGE, INSPECTION, REPAIR
FRAMING DETAILS for BETTER INSULATION
FRAMING DETAILS for DOUBLE WALL HOUSES
FRAMING & SUBFLOOR for TILE
FRAMING MATERIALS, Age, Types
FRAMING METAL STUD PERFORMANCE
FRAMING METHODS, Age, Types
FRAMING SIZE & Spacing, Age, Types
FRAMING TABLES, SPANS for DECKS

FRENCH DRAINS
FROST HEAVES, FOUNDATION, SLAB
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GALVANIC SCALE & METAL CORROSION
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Preservative-Treated Framing Lumber

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SHEATHING, FOIL FACED - VENTS
SIDING, Sheathing Identification - Photo Guide
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SINKING BUILDINGS

SLAB CRACK EVALUATION
SLAB CRACK REPAIR

Splits in Structural Wood Beams
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SWEATING (CONDENSATION) on PIPES, TANKS

TERMITES, ROT
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TRUSSES, Floor & Roof

VAPOR BARRIERS & CONDENSATION in BUILDINGS
VENTILATION in BUILDINGS

WATER BARRIERS, EXTERIOR BUILDING
WATER ENTRY in BUILDINGS
WIND ENERGY SYSTEMS
WIND TURBINES & LIGHTNING
WINDOWS & DOORS, Age, Types

WINTERIZE A BUILDING
WOOD FOUNDATIONS

More Information

Repair Methods for Foundation Settlement or Vertical Foundation Movement
InspectAPedia®  -    

  • How to Repair Vertical Foundation Movement or Foundation Settlement
  • Illustrations of foundation settlement or sinking repairs using slab jacking, driven steel pins, helical or "screw piers", friction piers or piles and foundation reconstruction.
  • Photographs and sketches of alternative foundation cracking or settlement repair methods
InspectAPedia offers impartial, unbiased advice without conflicts of interest. We will block advertisements which we discover or readers inform us are associated with bad business practices, false-advertising, or junk science. Our contact info is at InspectAPedia.com/Contact.htm.

This foundation repair article discusses How to Repair Vertical Foundation Movement or Foundation Settlement using methods to stabilize or even level and straightened a settling or moving foundation wall or floor slab, by using slab jacking, driven steel pins, helical or "screw piers", friction piers or piles or even foundation reconstruction.

To diagnose and evaluate foundation settlement or vertical foundation movement, start at VERTICAL MOVEMENT IN FOUNDATIONS.

© Copyright 2012 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use page top links to major topics or use links at the left of each page to navigate within topics and documents at this website. Green links show where you are in a document series or at this website.

Repair Methods for Vertical Foundation Movement - Foundations, slabs, fireplaces, chimneys

Photograph of a substantial settlement crack in poured concrete. Photograph of a substantial settlement crack in poured concrete.

In the photos shown here, substantive cracks appeared and continued to increase in size in this poured concrete foundation used to support a modular home which had recently been completed.

The cracks and foundation movement were probably due to a combination of: poorly prepared foundation footings, blasting on an adjacent building lot to prepare that site for new construction, and possibly omission of steel reinforcement in the poured wall. As movement appeared to be ongoing over more than a year, the builder might have repaired the foundation by supporting it from below using one of the methods listed here.

Foundation Repair Using Mud Jacking, Pressure Jacking, Slab jacking Methods

Mud jacking founadtion repair (C) Carson Dunlop

Grout pumping or mud jacking is used to stabilize soils below settling footings or slabs.

The mud jacking or grout pumping method of foundation repair is capable of lifting a slab and possibly some structures.

Mud jacking is suitable if bearing rock or stable soils are not too deep.

For cases where bedrock or suitable stable soils are deeper, slab-jacking methods are usually preferred - see the next foundation repair item just below.

Photograph of slab jacking.

Slab jacking is used to stabilize or lift and level settling concrete slabs, including interior floor slabs poured within the perimeter of a building foundation, and also lifting and leveling of monolithic concrete slabs or slab-on-grade construction.

If a floor slab or slab on grade construction is tipped, settling, or cracking, the underlying cause may vary among poor site preparation such as pouring over un-compacted fill, poor surface water runoff control resulting in soil loss or compaction, expansive clay soils, soil subsidence over buried debris, and sinkholes.

[Sketch courtesy of Magnum Piering, Florida.]

Mud jacking schematic (C) Carson Dunlop

Sketch of mud jacking or pressure grouting to lift and repair a concrete floor slab

Carson Dunlop's sketch shows how slab jacking or mud jacking, also called pressure-grouting, might be used to repair a settling garage floor slab.

Foundation Repair Using Driven Steel Pins

Photograph of Magnum steel pier foundation leveling or jacking.

Driven steel pins are used to stabilize settling foundation walls or footings. A pin is driven next to the foundation and is inserted into the soil until it contacts bedrock.

The driven pin foundation repair method, like the alternative piers listed below, is often used when a portion of a foundation wall is moving or settling, perhaps because of improper site work or footing undermining.

The cost of this method is about $1200. to $1500. per pin for average 30 ft. depth.

The steel pin foundation repair method permits more precise leveling control across the building than grout pumping.

Some reviewers expressed a concern about a possible durability problem? The manufacturers typically warrant the product for 60 years.

[Sketch courtesy of Dwyer, Magnum Piering, Florida, via ASHI Seminar 1998, edited by DF.]

Helical Pier or Screw-Pier foundation Repair for Settled Footings, Slabs, or Walls

Helical anchor pier used to repair foundation settlement (C) Carson Dunlop

  • A.B. Chance helical screw piers are an approach similar to the above, but may be shorter in length and useful where soil conditions do not provide shallow bedrock or won't work well with friction piers (below).

    Helical piers to repair sinking foundations are often used in building repair or reconstruction, and include models which can be used to level floor slabs as well. Sketch courtesy Carson Dunlop.

Friction-Pier or Driven Pier Foundation Repair for Settled Footings, Slabs, or Walls

Friction pier or pile for foundation repair (C) Carson Dunlop

  • Friction piers or Magnum piers or foundation piles for foundation repair are driven piles which rely on soil friction against the sides of the pile to prevent further settlement.

    This method was used with modest success at a spectacular settlement case of the settlement of the Victoria, an enormous masonry hotel on the harbor at Vancouver Island, Canada.

    The Vancouver Victoria hotel was built over a marsh and set on friction piers. When we visited the site in the 1980's the hotel had settled fairly uniformly (luckily) so that the building has remained useable.

    But today visitors enter the building on its second floor! The friction pier approach was not adequate in this case. Sketch courtesy Carson Dunlop.

Rod & Steel U-Channel or I-Beam Foundation Repair for Settled Footings, Slabs, or Walls

Rod and steel channel structural repair over bad soils (C) Carson Dunlop

  • Rod & Channel Repair to Stabilize Structures over Poor Soils. Carson Dunlop's sketch of steel rods and "U" channels illustrates how an engineer may specify a repair to stabilize a building which has been constructed over un-stable soils.

    Rod and u-channel structural repairs are more likely to be used where soil conditions prohibit the other pier or jacking methods illustrated above.

    Threaded steel rods are run through the width or length of the damaged structure and bolted to vertical steel U-channels on the building exterior.

    You may see a similar use of through-building threaded steel rods in 19th century masonry buildings in an attempt to stabilize structural masonry walls. Instead of "U" channels the rod ends are mounted through steel plates, often in a decorative shape.

Foundation Repair of Settled Footings, Slabs, or Walls by Reconstruction

Reconstruction of foundations: Some engineers who examine a failing foundation may prescribe excavation and reconstruction, possibly with reinforcement over the original design and with additional foundation and site drainage. And indeed in some cases these extensive foundation repair steps are completely appropriate and necessary both to repair the building and to prevent a recurrence of the trouble.

Watch out: We saw this method used for a home in Hyde Park, New York when it was discovered that the home had been built half over a landfill and was suffering from substantial differential settlement.

Helical screw piers or even driven steel pins might have worked at about one tenth the cost of the project as it was designed. We don't know if that alternative was considered.

See FOUNDATION CONTRACTORS, ENGINEERS for advice on how to choose an expert to diagnose or repair a building foundation problem.

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FOUNDATION BULGE or LEAN MEASUREMENTS
  How to Measure Foundation Movement
  Example of Measuring Foundation Bulge
FOUNDATION CONSTRUCTION TYPES
FOUNDATION CONTRACTORS, ENGINEERS
FOOTING & FOUNDATION DRAINS
FOOTINGS EXPOSED, Repair Methods

FOUNDATION CRACKS & DAMAGE GUIDE
  BRICK FOUNDATIONS & WALLS
  BUCKLED FOUNDATIONS due to INSULATION?
  CRAWL SPACES
  EARTHQUAKE DAMAGED FOUNDATIONS
  FOUNDATION CONSTRUCTION TYPES
  FOUNDATION INSPECTION METHODS
  FOUNDATION FAILURES by TYPE & MATERIAL
  FOUNDATION FAILURES by MOVEMENT TYPE
  FLOOD DAMAGE TO FOUNDATIONS
  FOUNDATION DEFECTS OF OMISSION
  FOUNDATION CRACK EVALUATION
    CRACK MONITORING Methods
    DIAGONAL FOUNDATION CRACKS
    HORIZONTAL FOUNDATION CRACKS
    SHRINKAGE vs EXPANSION vs SETTLEMENT
    Sinkholes & Building Damage
    Thermal Expansion Cracking of Brick
    VERTICAL FOUNDATION CRACKS
  FOUNDATION BULGE or LEAN MEASUREMENTS
  FOUNDATION DAMAGE REPORTS
  FOUNDATION DAMAGE SEVERITY
  FOUNDATION INSPECTION STANDARDS
  FOUNDATION MOVEMENT ACTIVE vs. STATIC
  FOUNDATION REPAIR METHODS
  PIER or PILE FOUNDATIONS
  SITE FACTORS AFFECTING FOUNDATIONS
  SLAB CRACK EVALUATION

FOUNDATION DEFECTS OF OMISSION - MISSING

FOUNDATION FAILURES by TYPE & MATERIAL
  BLOCK FOUNDATION & WALL DEFECTS
  BRICK FOUNDATION & WALL DEFECTS
  BRICK STRUCTURAL WALLS Loose, Bulged
  Brick Thermal Expansion Cracking
  BRICK VENEER WALL Loose, Bulged
  BRICK WALL DRAINAGE WEEP HOLES
  CONCRETE POURED FOUNDATION WALL, SLAB DEFECTS
  CONCRETE PRE-CAST FOUNDATION DEFECTS
  PIER FOUNDATION PROBLEMS
  STONE FOUNDATION DEFECTS
  WOOD FOUNDATION DEFECTS

FOUNDATION FAILURES by MOVEMENT TYPE
  BRICK FOUNDATIONS & WALLS
  BUCKLED FOUNDATIONS due to INSULATION?
  BULGED vs. LEANING FOUNDATIONS
  COMBINATIONS OF FOUNDATION MOVEMENT
  HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT IN FOUNDATIONS
  SETTLEMENT IN FOUNDATIONS
  SHRINKAGE CRACKS in CONCRETE
  VERTICAL MOVEMENT IN FOUNDATIONS
    Diagonal Cracks in Concrete Foundations
    Diagonal Step Cracking in Masonry
    Differential vs. Uniform Settlement Cracks
    Leaning or Tipping Buildings
    Uniform Width vs. Tapered Foundation Cracks
    Vertical Cracks

FOUNDATION INSPECTION METHODS
FOUNDATION INSULATION OPTIONS
FOUNDATION MATERIALS, Age, Types

FOUNDATION REPAIR METHODS
  Bulged foundation Repairs
    Pilasters for Repair of Bulge, Cracks
    Reinforcing Steel I-Beams for Wall Bulge
    Foundation Anchors for Foundation Movement
    Reinforcing Sister Walls for Foundations
    Cables for Repair of Foundations
    Reconstruction of Bulged Cracked Foundations
  Crack Repair Methods
  FOOTINGS EXPOSED, Repair Methods
  Horizontal Movement Repairs
  Seal Cracks by Polyurethane Foam Injection
  Seal Cracks in Concrete, How To
  Shrinkage Crack Repairs
    How to Seal Cracks in Concrete
    Polyurethane Foam Injection
  SLAB CRACK REPAIR
  Vertical Foundation Movement Repairs

FOUNDATION SETTLEMENT
FOUNDATION WATERPROOFING

ADDITIONAL READING about Foundation Failure Diagnosis & Repair

  • Diagnosing & Repairing House Structure Problems, Edgar O. Seaquist, McGraw Hill, 1980 ISBN 0-07-056013-7 (obsolete, incomplete, missing most diagnosis steps, but very good reading; out of print but used copies are available at Amazon.com, and reprints are available from some inspection tool suppliers). Ed Seaquist was among the first speakers invited to a series of educational conferences organized by D Friedman for ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors, where the topic of inspecting the in-service condition of building structures was first addressed.
  • Design of Wood Structures - ASD, Donald E. Breyer, Kenneth Fridley, Kelly Cobeen, David Pollock, McGraw Hill, 2003, ISBN-10: 0071379320, ISBN-13: 978-0071379328
    This book is an update of a long-established text dating from at least 1988 (DJF); Quoting:
    This book is gives a good grasp of seismic design for wood structures. Many of the examples especially near the end are good practice for the California PE Special Seismic Exam design questions. It gives a good grasp of how seismic forces move through a building and how to calculate those forces at various locations. THE CLASSIC TEXT ON WOOD DESIGN UPDATED TO INCLUDE THE LATEST CODES AND DATA. Reflects the most recent provisions of the 2003 International Building Code and 2001 National Design Specification for Wood Construction. Continuing the sterling standard set by earlier editions, this indispensable reference clearly explains the best wood design techniques for the safe handling of gravity and lateral loads. Carefully revised and updated to include the new 2003 International Building Code, ASCE 7-02 Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures, the 2001 National Design Specification for Wood Construction, and the most recent Allowable Stress Design.
  • Building Failures, Diagnosis & Avoidance, 2d Ed., W.H. Ransom, E.& F. Spon, New York, 1987 ISBN 0-419-14270-3
  • Domestic Building Surveys, Andrew R. Williams, Kindle book, Amazon.com
  • Defects and Deterioration in Buildings: A Practical Guide to the Science and Technology of Material Failure, Barry Richardson, Spon Press; 2d Ed (2001), ISBN-10: 041925210X, ISBN-13: 978-0419252108. Quoting:
    A professional reference designed to assist surveyors, engineers, architects and contractors in diagnosing existing problems and avoiding them in new buildings. Fully revised and updated, this edition, in new clearer format, covers developments in building defects, and problems such as sick building syndrome. Well liked for its mixture of theory and practice the new edition will complement Hinks and Cook's student textbook on defects at the practitioner level.
  • Guide to Domestic Building Surveys, Jack Bower, Butterworth Architecture, London, 1988, ISBN 0-408-50000 X
  • "Avoiding Foundation Failures," Robert Marshall, Journal of Light Construction, July, 1996 (Highly recommend this article-DF)
  • "A Foundation for Unstable Soils," Harris Hyman, P.E., Journal of Light Construction, May 1995
  • "Backfilling Basics," Buck Bartley, Journal of Light Construction, October 1994
  • "Inspecting Block Foundations," Donald V. Cohen, P.E., ASHI Reporter, December 1998. This article in turn cites the Fine Homebuilding article noted below.
  • "When Block Foundations go Bad," Fine Homebuilding, June/July 1998
  • InspectAPedia.com - The Free Home Inspection & Construction Diagnosis Public Information Website

NOTE: Journal of Light Construction articles are available on CD ROM from the Journal of Light Construction, www.bginet.com, 802-434-4747

Authority

Opinions herein are the responsibility of the author. Most of this material has been subject to ongoing peer review but is without any professional engineering analysis. Home inspections may include the discovery of defects involving life, safety, and significant costs. Home inspectors who are not both qualified and certain of the authoritative basis of their conclusions should obtain their own expert advice from qualified experts.

This work is also based on the author's construction & inspection experience, training, research, and survey of material from ASHI, and from N. Becker, R. Burgess, J. Bower, D. Breyer, A. Carson, J. Cox, A. Daniel, M. Lennon, R. Peterson, J. Prendergast, W. Ransom, D. Rathburn, E. Rawlins, E. Seaquist, and D. Wickersheimer. Some useful citations are at the end of this paper.

  • Sal Alfano - Editor, Journal of Light Construction*
  • Thanks to Alan Carson, Carson Dunlop, Associates, Toronto, for technical critique and some of the foundation inspection photographs cited in these articles.
  • Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd., 120 Carlton Street Suite 407, Toronto ON M5A 4K2. (416) 964-9415 1-800-268-7070 info@carsondunlop.com. Thanks to Alan Carson and Bob Dunlop, for permission to use illustrations from their publication, The Illustrated Home which illustrates construction details and building components. Carson Dunlop provides home inspection education including the ASHI-adopted Home Inspection Training Program (home study course), publications such as the Home Reference Book, report writing materials including the Horizon report writer, and home inspection services. Alan Carson is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors.
  • A.B. Chance foundation repair systems, helical piers, foundation repairs www.abchance.com
  • Dwyer of Florida, supplier of Helical Piles, foundation repair, and concrete restoration in Florida, exclusive dealer for Magnum piering. This company provides helical piles, foundation settlement repair, concrete restoration, shotcrete, pressure grouting, and slabjacking for residential and commercial buildings. 1-866-900-PIER www.dwyerflorida.com
  • Terry Carson - ASHI
  • Mark Cramer - ASHI
  • JD Grewell, ASHI
  • Duncan Hannay - ASHI, P.E. *
  • Bob Klewitz, M.S.C.E., P.E. - ASHI
  • Ken Kruger, P.E., AIA - ASHI
  • Aaron Kuertz aaronk@appliedtechnologies.com, with Applied Technologies regarding polyurethane foam sealant as other foundation crack repair product - 05/30/2007
  • Bob Peterson, Magnum Piering - 800-771-7437 - FL*
  • Arlene Puentes, ASHI, October Home Inspections - (845) 216-7833 - Kingston NY
  • Greg Robi, Magnum Piering - 800-822-7437 - National*
  • Dave Rathbun, P.E. - Geotech Engineering - 904-622-2424 FL*
  • Ed Seaquist, P.E., SIE Assoc. - 301-269-1450 - National
  • Dave Wickersheimer, P.E. R.A. - IL, professor, school of structures division, UIUC - University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign School of Architecture. Professor Wickersheimer specializes in structural failure investigation and repair for wood and masonry construction. * Mr. Wickersheimer's engineering consulting service can be contacted at HDC Wickersheimer Engineering Services. (3/2010)
  • *These reviewers have not returned comment 6/95

Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair

  • Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.
  • Home Reference Book - Carson Dunlop The Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 2010, $69.00 U.S., is available from Carson Dunlop, and from the InspectAPedia bookstore. The 2010 edition of the Home Reference Book is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. InspectAPedia.com ® author/editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume.
  • Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction, by Steven Bliss. John Wiley & Sons, 2006. ISBN-10: 0471648361, ISBN-13: 978-0471648369, Hardcover: 320 pages, available from Amazon.com and also Wiley.com. See our book review of this publication.
  • Decks and Porches, the JLC Guide to, Best Practices for Outdoor Spaces, Steve Bliss (Editor), The Journal of Light Construction, Williston VT, 2010 ISBN 10: 1-928580-42-4, ISBN 13: 978-1-928580-42-3, available from Amazon.com
  • The Journal of Light Construction has generously given reprint permission to InspectAPedia.com for certain articles found at this website. All rights and contents to those materials are ©Journal of Light Construction and may not be reproduced in any form.
  • Appliances and Home Electronics, - energy savings, U.S. Department of Energy
  • Avongard foundation crack progress chart for structural crack monitoring
  • Basement Moisture Control, U.S. Department of Energy
  • Building Failures, Diagnosis & Avoidance, 2d Ed., W.H. Ransom, E.& F. Spon, New York, 1987 ISBN 0-419-14270-3
  • Building Pathology, Deterioration, Diagnostics, and Intervention, Samuel Y. Harris, P.E., AIA, Esq., ISBN 0-471-33172-4, John Wiley & Sons, 2001 [General building science-DF] ISBN-10: 0471331724 ISBN-13: 978-0471331728
  • Building Pathology: Principles and Practice, David Watt, Wiley-Blackwell; 2 edition (March 7, 2008) ISBN-10: 1405161035 ISBN-13: 978-1405161039
  • The Circular Staircase, Mary Roberts Rinehart
  • Construction Drawings and Details, Rosemary Kilmer
  • Crawl Space Moisture Control, U.S. Department of Energy
  • Design of Wood Structures - ASD, Donald E. Breyer, Kenneth Fridley, Kelly Cobeen, David Pollock, McGraw Hill, 2003, ISBN-10: 0071379320, ISBN-13: 978-0071379328
    This book is an update of a long-established text dating from at least 1988 (DJF); Quoting:
    This book is gives a good grasp of seismic design for wood structures. Many of the examples especially near the end are good practice for the California PE Special Seismic Exam design questions. It gives a good grasp of how seismic forces move through a building and how to calculate those forces at various locations. THE CLASSIC TEXT ON WOOD DESIGN UPDATED TO INCLUDE THE LATEST CODES AND DATA. Reflects the most recent provisions of the 2003 International Building Code and 2001 National Design Specification for Wood Construction. Continuing the sterling standard set by earlier editions, this indispensable reference clearly explains the best wood design techniques for the safe handling of gravity and lateral loads. Carefully revised and updated to include the new 2003 International Building Code, ASCE 7-02 Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures, the 2001 National Design Specification for Wood Construction, and the most recent Allowable Stress Design.
  • Diagnosing & Repairing House Structure Problems, Edgar O. Seaquist, McGraw Hill, 1980 ISBN 0-07-056013-7 (obsolete, incomplete, missing most diagnosis steps, but very good reading; out of print but used copies are available at Amazon.com, and reprints are available from some inspection tool suppliers). Ed Seaquist was among the first speakers invited to a series of educational conferences organized by D Friedman for ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors, where the topic of inspecting the in-service condition of building structures was first addressed.
  • Domestic Building Surveys, Andrew R. Williams, Kindle book, Amazon.com
  • Defects and Deterioration in Buildings: A Practical Guide to the Science and Technology of Material Failure, Barry Richardson, Spon Press; 2d Ed (2001), ISBN-10: 041925210X, ISBN-13: 978-0419252108. Quoting:
    A professional reference designed to assist surveyors, engineers, architects and contractors in diagnosing existing problems and avoiding them in new buildings. Fully revised and updated, this edition, in new clearer format, covers developments in building defects, and problems such as sick building syndrome. Well liked for its mixture of theory and practice the new edition will complement Hinks and Cook's student textbook on defects at the practitioner level.
  • Guide to Domestic Building Surveys, Jack Bower, Butterworth Architecture, London, 1988, ISBN 0-408-50000 X
  • "Avoiding Foundation Failures," Robert Marshall, Journal of Light Construction, July, 1996 (Highly recommend this article-DF)
  • "A Foundation for Unstable Soils," Harris Hyman, P.E., Journal of Light Construction, May 1995
  • "Backfilling Basics," Buck Bartley, Journal of Light Construction, October 1994
  • "Inspecting Block Foundations," Donald V. Cohen, P.E., ASHI Reporter, December 1998. This article in turn cites the Fine Homebuilding article noted below.
  • "When Block Foundations go Bad," Fine Homebuilding, June/July 1998
  • Historic Preservation Technology: A Primer, Robert A. Young, Wiley (March 21, 2008) ISBN-10: 0471788368 ISBN-13: 978-0471788362
  • Log Homes: Minimizing Air Leakage in Log Homes, U.S. Department of Energy
  • Manual for the Inspection of Residential Wood Decks and Balconies, by Cheryl Anderson, Frank Woeste (Forest Products Society), & Joseph Loferski, October 2003, ISBN-13: 978-1892529343, $39.00 at Amazon.com or at the InspectAPediaBookstore
  • Masonry structures: The Masonry House, Home Inspection of a Masonry Building & Systems, Stephen Showalter (director, actor), DVD, Quoting:
    Movie Guide Experienced home inspectors and new home inspectors alike are sure to learn invaluable tips in this release designed to take viewers step-by-step through the home inspection process. In addition to being the former president of the National Association of Home Inspectors (NAHI), a longstanding member of the NAHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), and the Environmental Standard Organization (IESO), host Stephen Showalter has performed over 8000 building inspections - including environmental assessments. Now, the founder of a national home inspection school and inspection training curriculum shares his extensive experience in the inspection industry with everyday viewers looking to learn more about the process of evaluating homes. Topics covered in this release include: evaluation of masonry walls; detection of spalling from rebar failure; inspection of air conditioning systems; grounds and landscaping; electric systems and panel; plumbing supply and distribution; plumbing fixtures; electric furnaces; appliances; evaluation of electric water heaters; and safety techniques. Jason Buchanan --Jason Buchanan, All Movie Review
  • Masonry Design for Engineers and Architects, M. Hatzinikolas, Y. Korany, Canadian Masonry (2005), ISBN-10: 0978006100, ISBN-13: 978-0978006105
  • Masonry Structures: Behavior and Design, Robert G. Drysdale, Ahmid A. Hamid, Lawrie R. Baker, The Masonry Society; 2nd edition (1999), ISBN-10: 1929081014, ISBN-13: 978-1929081011
  • Masonry, Engineered: Using the Canadian Code, J. I. Gainville, Cantext publications (1983), ASIN: B0007C37PG
  • Masonry, Non-reinforced masonry design tables, Hans J. Schultz, National Concrete Producers Association and the Canadian Masonry Contractors Association (1976), ASIN: B0007C2LQM
  • Moisture Control in Buildings, U.S. Department of Energy
  • Moisture Control in Walls, U.S. Department of Energy
  • Quality Standards for the Professional Remodeling Industry, National Association of Home Builders Remodelers Council, NAHB Research Foundation, 1987.
  • Quality Standards for the Professional Remodeler, N.U. Ahmed, # Home Builder Pr (February 1991), ISBN-10: 0867183594, ISBN-13: 978-0867183597
  • R-Value of Wood, U.S. Department of Energy
  • Slab on Grade Foundation Moisture and Air Leakage, U.S. Department of Energy
  • Straw Bale Home Design, U.S. Department of Energy provides information on strawbale home construction - original source at http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/designing_remodeling/index.cfm/mytopic=10350
  • More Straw Bale Building: A Complete Guide to Designing and Building with Straw (Mother Earth News Wiser Living Series), Chris Magwood, Peter Mack, New Society Publishers (February 1, 2005), ISBN-10: 0865715181 ISBN-13: 978-0865715189 - Quoting:
    Straw bale houses are easy to build, affordable, super energy efficient, environmentally friendly, attractive, and can be designed to match the builder’s personal space needs, esthetics and budget. Despite mushrooming interest in the technique, however, most straw bale books focus on “selling” the dream of straw bale building, but don’t adequately address the most critical issues faced by bale house builders. Moreover, since many developments in this field are recent, few books are completely up to date with the latest techniques.
    More Straw Bale Building is designed to fill this gap. A completely rewritten edition of the 20,000-copy best--selling original, it leads the potential builder through the entire process of building a bale structure, tackling all the practical issues: finding and choosing bales; developing sound building plans; roofing; electrical, plumbing, and heating systems; building code compliance; and special concerns for builders in northern climates.
  • "Vapor Barriers or Vapor Diffusion Retarders", U.S. DOE: how vapor barriers work, types of vapor diffusion barriers, installing vapor barrier
  • Ventilation for energy efficient buildings, Purpose, Strategies, etc.,
  • ...

Sinkholes and Sudden Land Subsidence References, Products, Consultants

  • "A Hole in the Ground Erupts, to Estonia's Delight", New York Times, 9 December 2008 p. 10.
  • History of water usage in Estonia: (5.7 MB PDF) jaagupi.parnu.ee/freshwater/doc/the_history_of_water_usage_systems_in_estonia.pdf
  • "Quebec Family Dies as Home Vanishes Into Crater, in Reminder of Hidden Menace", Ian Austen, New York Times, 13 May 2010 p. A8. see http://www.nytimes.com/
  • "Quick Clay", Wikipedia search 5/13/2010 - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quick_clay
  • Florida DEP - Department of Environmental Protection, & Florida Geological survey (http://www.dep.state.fl.us/geology/default.htm) on Florida sinkholes: Effects of Sinkholes on Water Conditions Hernando County, Florida, Brett Buff, GIS in Water Resources, 2008, Dr. David R. Maidment, Photos - Tom Scott, Florida Geographic Survey - Web Search 06/09/2010 - http://www.dep.state.fl.us/geology/geologictopics/jacksonsink.htm
    and - http://www.dep.state.fl.us/geology/geologictopics/sinkhole.htm
    also see
    Lane, Ed, 1986, Karst in Florida: Florida Geological Survey Special Publication 29, 100 p.
  • Foundation Engineering Problems and Hazards in Karst Terranes, James P. Reger, Maryland Geological Survey, web search 06/05/2010, original source: http://www.mgs.md.gov/esic/fs/fs11.html
    Maryland Geological Survey, 2300 St. Paul Street, Baltimore, MD 21218
  • "Frost Heaving Forces in Leda Clay", Penner, E., Division of Building Research, National Research Council of Canada, Canadian Geotechnical Journal, NRC Research Press, 1970-2, Vol 7, No 1, PP 8-16, National Research Council of Canada, Accession number 1970-023601, Quoting from original source

The frost heaving forces developed under a 1 ft. (30.5 cm) diameter steel plate were measured in the field throughout one winter. The steel plate was fixed at the ground surface with a rock-anchored reaction frame. heave gauges and thermocouples were installed at various depths to determine the position and temperature of the active heaving zone. The general trend was for the surface force to increase as the winter progressed. when the frost line approached the maximum depth the force was in excess of 30,000 lb (13,608 KG). Estimates of the heaving pressure at the frost line ranged from 7 to 12 psi (0.49 to 0.84 KG/cm) square during this period. The variation of surface heaving force was closely associated with weather conditions. Warming trends resulting in a temperature increase of the frozen layer caused the forces to decline.

  • "Geoscape Ottowa-Gatineau Landslides", Canada Department of Natural Resources, original source http://geoscape.nrcan.gc.ca/ottawa/landslides_e.php - quoting from that source:

    Leda clay slopes in the Ottawa valley are vulnerable to catastrophic landslides. More than 250 landslides, historical and ancient, large and small, have been identified within 60 km of Ottawa. Some of these landslides caused deaths, injuries, and property damage, and their impact extended far beyond the site of the original failure. In spectacular flowslides, the sediment underlying large areas of flat land adjacent to unstable slopes liquefies. The debris may flow up to several kilometres, damming rivers and causing flooding, siltation, and water-quality problems or damaging infrastructure. Geologists and geotechnical engineers can identify potential landslide areas, and appropriate land-use zoning and protective engineering works can reduce the risk to property and people.

    Deposits of Leda clay, a potentially unstable material, underlie extensive areas of the Ottawa-Gatineau region. Leda clay is composed of clay- and silt-sized particles of bedrock that were finely ground by glaciers and washed into the Champlain Sea. As the particles settled through the salty water, they were attracted to one another and formed loose clusters that fell to the seafloor. The resulting sediment had a loose but strong framework that was capable of retaining a large amount of water. Following the retreat of the sea, the salts that originally contributed to the bonding of the particles were slowly removed (leached) by fresh water filtering through the ground. If sufficiently disturbed, the leached Leda clay, a weak but water-rich sediment, may liquefy and become a 'quick clay'. Trigger disturbances include river erosion, increases in pore-water pressure (especially during periods of high rainfall or rapid snowmelt), earthquakes, and human activities such as excavation and construction.

    After an initial failure removes the stiffer, weathered crust, the sensitive clay liquefies and collapses, flowing away from the scar. Failures continue in a domino-like fashion, rapidly eating back into the flat land lying behind the failed slope. The flowing mud may raft intact pieces of the stiffer surface material for great distances.

  • Kochanov, W. E., 1999, Sinkholes in Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania
    Geological Survey, 4th ser., Educational Series 11, 33 p., 3rd printing April 2005, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources / Bureau of Topographic and Geologic Survey, DCNR Educational Series 11, Pennsylvania Geological Survey, Fourth Series, Harrisburg,
    1999 - web search 06/05/2010, original source: http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/topogeo/hazards/es11.pdf - Quoting from the document introduction:
    The first 18 pages of this booklet contain an explanation of how sinkholes develop. In order to tell the sinkhole story, it is important to discuss a number of related geologic disciplines. The words used to describe sinkholes and these disciplines may be a bit unfamiliar. However, general explanations are given throughout the booklet to help clarify their meanings. Key words are printed in bold type for emphasis. The more important ones are defined in a Glossary that begins on page 29. The remaining sections, starting with “Sinkholes in the Urban Environment” (page 18), deal with sinkholes and their impact on our environment. This includes recognition of subsidence features and sinkhole repair.
  • [1] Sarah Cervone, [web page] data from the APIRS database, Graphics by Ann Murray, Sara Reinhart and Vic Ramey, Vic Ramey is the editor. DEP review by Jeff Schardt and Judy Ludlow. The web page is a collaboration of the Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants, University of Florida, and the Bureau of Invasive Plant Management, Florida Department of Environmental Protection contact: varamey@nersp.nerdc.ufl.edu [A primary resource for this article
  • [2] Center for Cave and Karst Studies or the Kentucky Climate Center, both at Western Kentucky University
  • Vanity Fair - web search 06/04/2010 http://www.vanityfair.com/online/daily/2010/06/what-caused-the-guatemala-sinkhole-and-why-is-it-so-round.html
  • Sinkholes, Virginia Division of Mineral Resources,
  • Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy, www.dmme.virginia.gov Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy Division of Mineral Resources 900 Natural Resources Drive, Suite 500 Charlottesville, VA 22903 Sales Office: (434) 951-6341 FAX : (434) 951-6365 Geologic Information: (434) 951-6342 http://www.dmme.virginia.gov/ divisionmineralresources.shtml - Web search 06/09/2010

Sink Hole & Related Engineering References

  • Newton, J. G., 1987, Development of sinkholes resulting from man's activities in the eastern United States: US Geological Survey Circular 968, 54 p.
  • Sinclair, W. C., 1982, Sinkhole development resulting from ground-water withdrawal in the Tampa Area, Florida: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations 81-50, 19 p.
  • White, W. B., 1988, Geomorphology and Hydrology of Karst Terrains: Oxford University Press, New York, 464 p.
  • Williams, J. H. and Vineyard, J. D., 1976, Geologic indicators of subsidence and collapse in karst terrain in Missouri: Presentation at the 55th Annual Meeting, Transportation Research Board, Washington, D.C.
  • Barry F. Beck, A. J. (1999). Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology of Sinkholes and Karst. Rotterdam, Netherlands: A. A. Balkema.
  • Beck, B. F. (2003). Sinkholes and the Engineering and Environmental Impacts of Karst. Huntsville, Alabama: The American Society of Civil Engineers.
  • Beck, B. F. (2005). Sinkholes and the Engineering and Envrionmental Impacts of Karst. San Antonio, Texas: The American Society of Civil Engineers.
  • Tony Waltham, F. B. (2005). Sinkholes and Subsidence, Karst and Cavernous Rocks in Engineering and Construction. Chichester, United Kingdom: Praxis Publishing.
  • Whitman D., G. T. (1999). Spatial Interrelationships Between Lake Elevations, Water Tables, and Sinkhole Occurence in Central Florida: A GIS Approach. Photogrammetric Engineering and Remote Sensing , 1169-1178.
  • Cited References from this article:
  • #3. Detecting Sinkholes with Geophysics, Enviroscan, Inc., Lancaster PA 717-396-8922 email@enviroscan.com www.enviroscan.com 2003
  • Sinkholes in Guatemala, Guatemala City, Wikipedia - web search 06/04/2010 - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guatemala_City
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