How do I know if my foundation has pyrrhotite?

Map cracking or spider cracking is the clearest indicator of pyrrhotite-laced concrete. In all the homes that we've tested and have observed map cracking, pyrrhotite has been detected. Other visual types of cracking can be ambiguous and isn't always diagnostic without further testing.

How do you fix pyrrhotite foundation?

The best way to fix foundations made with pyrrhotite is to lift the home, remove the affected concrete and replace it with a new foundation. In 2018, the State of Massachusetts created a Special Commission to Study the Financial and Economic Impacts of Crumbling Concrete Foundations Due to the Presence of Pyrrhotite.

What is pyrrhotite in a foundation?

Pyrrhotite is a mineral that expands when exposed to water and oxygen. If pyrrhotite is present in concrete—as it is in the foundations of at least 1,600 Connecticut and Massachusetts homes—the concrete can crack and crumble. It can cost $150,000 to raise a house and remove and replace the foundation.

When was pyrrhotite used in foundations?

Investigations found that as many as 34,000 homes constructed in northeastern Connecticut between 1983 and 2000 were at risk of crumbling foundations. Why? Their foundations contained a corrosive mineral known as pyrrhotite.

How do you know if your foundation is unsafe?

YOUR MAKEUP MIGHT BE EXPIRED - How to tell and PLEASE don't use it!

What are the first signs of subsidence?

How do I know if my house has structural problems?

Is pyrrhotite in all concrete?

Is pyrrhotite found in every concrete foundation? No. We have tested many homes that are pyrrhotite free. The presence (or absence) of pyrrhotite depends on the rock aggregate in the concrete and where it was derived from geologically.

How long does it take for a foundation to crumble?

Mark discovered that thousands of homes built between 1980-2017 in Western Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut have concrete foundations with pyrrhotite in the aggregate. These foundations will, after a period of 20 years or so, begin to crumble until they are no longer structurally sound.

What does pyrrhotite look like?

Pyrrhotite (Fig. 1.11) is an unusual iron sulfide with variable iron content [Fe_(1−x) S_(x=0–0.2)]. The color ranges between bronze yellow and copper-red with black streak and metallic luster. The hardness varies between 3.5 and 4.5 on the Mohs scale and an average specific gravity of 4.6.

Where can you find pyrrhotite?

Geologic Occurrence

Pyrrhotite is found in basic igneous rocks, pegmatites, hydrothermal veins, and rocks associated with hydrothermal metamorphism. It is often associated with pyrite and quartz.

What color is pyrrhotite?

Pyrrhotite is a mineral species composed of iron sulfide and is of a bronze yellow color, blackening when exposed to air.

What makes concrete foundation crumble?

Homes that are experiencing water issues have a weak concrete surface, causing it to crumble over time. Other water issues, such as frozen concrete or too much water added during the concrete mixing process, could cause crumbling foundations.

Why was pyrrhotite used in concrete?

Pyrrhotite, a mineral of concern for the construction industry, consists of iron and sulfur, and when exposed to water and air, it can break down to form secondary minerals that expand and crack concrete, causing concrete structures, like home foundations, to fail.

What causes a crumbling foundation?

These crumbling foundations are usually a result of a mineral in the ground reacting with oxygen and water to cause physical changes in your foundation.

How long do concrete foundations last?

Poured concrete block footings and slab foundations should last a lifetime, 80 to 100 years or more provided they were quality built. The foundation termite proofing, 12 years, provided the chemical barriers remain intact. Properly installed waterproofing with bituminous coating should last 10 years. Flooring.

Why is my concrete falling apart?

If too much water is introduced to the mixture, the cement and sand cannot bond with each other and will instead fall apart. As the concrete starts to dry, this results in a crumbling area where the particles aren't sticking together.

What towns in MA have crumbling foundations?

The commission said cities and towns within a 20-mile radius are the most likely to have homes with this mineral, including western Massachusetts communities such as Brimfield, Palmer, Hampden, Wilbraham, Springfield, Longmeadow, East Longmeadow, Ludlow, Ware, Belchertown, and Agawam.

What years are crumbling foundations in CT?

As many as 34,000 homes constructed in northeastern Connecticut between 1983 and 2000 may have concrete foundations containing pyrrhotite and are at risk of cracking or crumbling.

How do I know if my foundation crack is structural?

Can a house collapse from foundation issues?

The first question that comes to mind is, can a house collapse from foundation issues? The answer is yes, however, it is also not that simple. It can take years to develop a serious foundational issue that would cause your home to collapse. In most cases, if it does, it's concentrated on a specific area of the home.

How do you tell the difference between settling and foundation problems?

The Difference Between Foundational Settling and Problems

With soil expansion and contraction, it is normal for a part of a building to move a few inches. A foundation problem, on the other hand, is a more serious matter and should be monitored with extreme caution.

How do I find out if an area has subsidence?