Originally Posted By: mcyr This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
James,
Cement parging of the concrete surface is in no doubt in my mind.
Excessive drying is in fact the contributor to the shrinkage.
More pronounced when a cement coat is applied to a foundation for whatever reason.
Originally Posted By: Mark Anderson This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
BUT–cracked-loose cement parging on a block wall will allow water to get into/enter through unprotected block exterior & joints,which then allows the possibilities/entryways for mold/efflorescence/radon gas `n insects. See this all the time here in Mich. Got milk?
Originally Posted By: rgallahorn This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I agree with Michael, the first several don’t raise any hairs, but I would probably look a whole lot closer in the areas around the last pic before I gave up.
Originally Posted By: mboyett This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
monolithic slab ] I’ve never seen or noticed the rigid insulation, I don’t think that’s done here at all. The ~1/8" cosmetic parge coat is applied directly to the rough slab to ‘dress it up’ some.
Originally Posted By: mcyr This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
James;
Looking at one of the pictures again, it appears the the bed joint mortar on the right of the picture was installed indicative of after the parge coat.
To the left, it appears that the parge coat might have been done afterwards, because you can not see the bed joint for the brick.
Originally Posted By: rwand This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I noticed there was garden hose in the first picture. My thinking is that the parging is wetted by the proximity or watering of grass. Parging will wick water hydrating parging and then drying out, causing spalling.
Question is your area of Texas prone to frost during winter months? If so the parging if wetted and freezing maybe the cause of the spalling.
Raymond Wand
Alton, ON
-- The value of experience is not in seeing much,
but in seeing wisely. - Sir William Osler 1905
Originally Posted By: jlybolt This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Frost is not a big concern in this area. Raymond I think you have a good point. Most of the spalling was near the water spigots.
Yesterday went out to same job and reinspected slab. I came to the conclusion its was just spalling, shrinkage cracks and a piece of rebar that started to break through. Next time I will pay closer attention to detail but this post has helped me get a better feeling for foundations. Everyones help is really appreciated.
Originally Posted By: mboyett This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
James,
If you get a chance you might see if John Cahill is still offering his one-day foundation course. I took it a couple of months ago down in San Antonio and really got some good information from it. The class qualifies for 8 TREC CE hours also so that’s good too. The following link doesn’t indicate that the course is still available so you might have to call John’s office. Try: http://www.clearviewbsi.com/description.htm . John is a well respected HI in the Dallas area, a NACHI member, a long time member of the TREC Inspectors Subcommittee and also provides training classes around the state. Once you’ve taken the course SafeGuard CableLock company out of Houston will certify you to offer your clients a free 90 foundation warranty also. This may or may not be something you would be interested in.
