By Dave and Mary

Podcast 35: Foundation Cracking Issues

With Moises Cruz, Principal Structural Engineer

Porch Ideas Network Podcast Logo moises-cruz-a1-engineering Foundation cracking issues: "It's probably not your foundation's fault that it cracked," says our guest.

Whether its your porch or home's foundation, cracks and other issues are normally the result of external factors.

Mary and I had the pleasure of interviewing Moises Cruz, Principal Structural Engineer and Army Reserve Officer, with A-1 Engineering. Moises has a wealth of information that can help the average homeowner understand why foundations crack and what can be done to rectify the issue.

A home that cracks in the wall or foundation does not necessarily mean failure. The cracks are an indicator that something is moving. Moises elaborates in our podcast.


Listen to Our Audio Program: 00:30:26


Download the Porch Ideas Network audio program Listen to the Porch Ideas Network on iTunes Listen to the Porch Ideas Network on Stitcher Radio


In podcast 35, our guest Moises Cruz speaks about the reasons for foundations to crack and when to call a structural engineer
Some of the key topics of our discussion with Moises Cruz



Podcast Highlights: Foundation Cracking Issues

front porch falling off home
Photo courtesy of USGS
Front porch failure
Topics Moises discusses on our podcast:
  • A crack in the concrete is not the same as the concrete breaking. A crack does not necessarily mean failure but it does imply that something is moving.
  • Structural engineers look at two things: what might be causing that movement and what other effects the house may be going through because of that movement.
  • When the soil fluctuates between being overly wet and overly dry, that causes volume changes in the soil and that's what causes the foundation to move.
  • Just because it's a porch and not a house does not mean it should be constructed with any less care than a house.
  • As a homeowner you want to be aware of where all the cracks are because those are your indicators. Those are the red lights that tell you that something is happening and a reason to get a structural assessment to determine why that crack might be there.
  • If you decide to enclose an open porch you need to get your local building officials involved to see what their structural requirements area.
  • A savvy creative engineer would try to find ways to modify or add to your existing foundation so that you don't have to start over.

Program Excerpts: Foundation Cracking Issues

Minimize Volume Changes

"A structural engineer who is familiar with your area can help to give advice on minimizing the volume changes in your soil and that is the key to a successful performing foundation."


Wet Soil

"Conversely in an area that is more wet than dry, for example Seattle, then it might be advisable to keep the area around the house more wet than dry."


Loads

"A structural engineer cares about how much the load is, not whether it's built from concrete or steel - it's about how much needs to be carried."


Mudjacking

"Mud-jacking also can work but it can be more destructive to the concrete because of how it has to be inserted through hoses."


Soil Stabilization Goo

Although unpredictable, a material referred to as "snake oil" (also referred to as a soil stabilization goo) tricks the soil to think that it is in a swollen state so that the foundation moves.


A Word or Two About Press Pile or Push Pile Solutions

This system is relatively inexpensive as compared to other options and possibly the most used for home foundations; however, it is not without issues. The potential for future movement is very high meaning that your foundation may eventually move again.

Many structural engineers will tell you that press or push pile solutions may be temporary at best.


press piles installed under foundation
Press piles installed



press piles installed under foundation with foundation cracking
Cracked foundation with press piles installed



Caution! Before contemplating using concrete press piles or concrete piers, we recommend you investigate the precautions you need to take regarding these foundation stabilization systems.



Protect Yourself

Suggestions from Moises to Achieve Long Lasting Foundation Repair

  • Call a structural engineer before you call a contractor. Structural engineers are the only people who have the qualifications for diagnosing and recommending proper repairs for foundations. They can tell you if your foundation is safe; cracks do not necessarily mean your foundation is failing.


  • Check credentials. Not all engineers are structural engineers so be careful when a contractor says they have a structural engineer on staff.


  • Choose the right contractor. Avoid selecting a contractor based on lowest bid; you almost always get what you pay for.



Listen to Our Audio Program: 00:30:26


Download the Porch Ideas Network audio program Listen to the Porch Ideas Network on iTunes Listen to the Porch Ideas Network on Stitcher Radio



Porch Ideas Network Podcast Logo More Audios

Be sure to visit our Podcast Directory to hear more of our audio programs with leading experts.





About A-1 Engineering

moises-cruz-a1-engineering moises-cruz-a1-engineering A-1 Engineering was established to not only educate the public and homeowners regarding issues surrounding both residential and commercail foundations, but also to provide customers non-biased and objective consulting services for their everyday projects.

To that end, A-1 Engineering provides a myriad of reference materials to educate homeowners to enable them to competently address foundation cracking issues and repair options.

With offices in both San Antonio and Austin, Texas, A-1 Engineering provides direct consulation in those geographical areas and is most willing to give advice to others outside those areas as well.

We are most appreciative to Moises Cruz for sharing his expertise. What he shared is helpful to us homeowners to better understand the real meaning behind foundations cracking.

You can call A-1 Engineering at (210) 591-8829.




Mary and Dave, Founders of Front Porch Ideas and More
Hi! We're Mary and Dave, lifelong DIYers, high school sweethearts, and we both love porches. You've come to the right place for thousands of porch ideas.

Our Sponsors
The Porch Store


Shop for Porch Parts at Vintage Woodworks.


Use the PCA Visualizer to design your screen door

End Sponsors


Helpful Links

Enjoy shopping Amazon (affiliate link)

Popular Pages

What's New

Join Our Newsletter Family

Porch Designs

Porch Ideas for Mobile Homes

Find a Local Contractor

Build a Porch | Small Porches

Porch Columns | Porch Railings

Screened Porches

Porch Curtains | Porch Enclosures

Porch Landscaping | Vinyl Lattice

Porch Decorating | Porch Ideas

Shop

Navigation Aids

Home | Top of Page

Site Search | Site Map

Contact Us

Policies

Disclosure Policy | Privacy Policy

Legal Info

Please Join Us Here Also

Join us on Facebook for porch talk Join us on Pinterest Subscribe to get our updates. Thank you!


Get in touch with pre-screened local professionals for work you need done
Find a Trusted Local Pro


Copyright© 2008-2024
Front-Porch-Ideas-and-More.com All rights reserved.
No content or photos may be reused or reproduced in any way without our express written permission.

At no extra cost to you, we earn a commission by referring you to some products on merchant sites. See our disclosure policy.
We, Front Porch Ideas and More, confirm, as stated on our privacy policy, that we do not sell personal information.

All content here is solely for presenting ideas. We recommend consulting with a licensed, experienced contractor before you begin your project.
We make no guarantees of accuracy or completeness of information on our site or any links to other websites contained here.

Thank you for taking your time to stop by. See what's popular and new here.

small rocking chair



Mary and Dave, Founders of Front Porch Ideas and More
Hi! We're Mary and Dave, lifelong DIYers, high school sweethearts, and we both love porches. You've come to the right place for thousands of porch ideas.
--- Our Sponsors ---
The Porch Store

Shop for Porch Parts at Vintage Woodworks.

Use the PCA Visualizer to design your screen door
--- End Sponsors ---
Mary's Etsy Shop
Mary's Christmas cards on Etsy

Find Top-Rated Service Pros
Get in touch with pre-screened local professionals for work you need done

Our Newsletter, Front Porch Appeal
Learn more!


Thank you for being here!


small rocking chair
At no extra cost to you, we earn a commission by referring you to some products on merchant sites. See our disclosure policy.
We, Front Porch Ideas and More, confirm, as stated on our privacy policy, that we do not sell personal information.

All content here is solely for presenting ideas. We recommend consulting with a licensed, experienced contractor before you begin your project.
We make no guarantees of accuracy or completeness of information on our site or any links to other websites contained here.

Front Porch Home | Return to Top
Contact Us | About Us | Advertise with Us | Search | Site Map
Media | Privacy Policy | Disclosure | Legal Notice | What's New

XML RSS   Add to My Yahoo!  
By Mary and Dave Morris, Copyright © 2008-2024 Front-Porch-Ideas-and-More.com. All rights reserved.
No content or photos may be reproduced or copied in any way without our express written permission.

Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape