Foundation Cracking and Settling
Foundation Cracking and Settling
(OP)
My was built in 1948 in Tacoma, Washington. When I purchased it I had to tear down an existing outdoor deck and stairs which uncovered a crack in the foundation that starts at a doorway and extends down to the footing. The crack is about 3/8" wide, and the adjacent corner of the house has settled to the point where the doors upstairs won't close, the floors are unlevel, etc. Is it possible to re-level the upstairs by jacking up the floor joists, or should the foundation be jacked up? If the foundation is jacked up should the footing be extended to prevent further settling? Does anyone have any reference books on this subject?






RE: Foundation Cracking and Settling
RE: Foundation Cracking and Settling
RE: Foundation Cracking and Settling
RE: Foundation Cracking and Settling
have fun
tony
RE: Foundation Cracking and Settling
RE: Foundation Cracking and Settling
Answering these questions will help to lead you to a cause of the settlement. You will also need to know some basic info about the subsurface conditions (i.e., clays, sands, silts, residual soils, etc.).
To answer your original question, yes you can lift and level the foundation by several means. Atlas piers and other similar foundation remedies can work, assuming you can get access and can penetrate to a competent soil. Pressure grouting can also work, keeping in mind that if the settlement is due to consolidation of underlying clays or silts, then any weight you add to the foundation can contribute to additional settlement.
Ron
RE: Foundation Cracking and Settling
RE: Foundation Cracking and Settling
Atlas-type piers or other permanent posts/jacks can usually be advanced to stable soil, allowing adequate underpinning of the foundation. Likewise, jacking the joists should work as well. It would be well worth your while to find a contractor that specializes in such work. I have seen inexperienced contractors attempt these jobs with disastrous results. Good luck!