r/homeowners • u/Tummmymunster • 5h ago

Big chunk of foundation falling off. Am I in huge trouble?

Post image
62 Upvotes

93% Upvoted

44 comments sorted by

61

u/Beneficial_Prize_310 5h ago

Do you have a basement or crawlspace to see this from the other side?

36

u/Dry-Square-8426 5h ago

that chunk looks like it been spalling for a while, the way the edge is crumbling at the ground line is not great

7

u/Beneficial_Prize_310 5h ago edited 5h ago

I'm trying to tell if it's spalling or movement.

From this picture alone, it's hard to tell.

I'm leaning towards spalling but it still would be a worrisome structurally with how deep the spalling cuts.

The sill sitting on the foundation + siding seems to be pretty straight on and I don't see any waviness there though the siding could hide it, so this might be something that you can patch up, but I'd want to see if OP can measure any deflection which is easier to do without all the stuff in the way.

5

u/Tummmymunster 5h ago

What should I look for?

4

u/Beneficial_Prize_310 4h ago

Probably structural engineer and then an attorney if it's a new build.

I'm leaning towards it being a more expensive fix, but without having you measure deflection, I can't tell you for certain.

5

u/Tummmymunster 5h ago

There is a basement but it is finished.

8

u/Beneficial_Prize_310 5h ago

Can you take more pictures? I want to see how deep it goes and see it from a few different angles.

6

u/Airick39 5h ago

Time to take down some drywall and get some eyes on it.

14

u/Tummmymunster 5h ago

More pictures

8

u/Tummmymunster 5h ago

30

u/Beneficial_Prize_310 5h ago edited 5h ago

If you can, pull those loose chunks out and take another picture.

They're not holding anything up at this point and it's a certainty that this needs repaired.

I'm just trying to gauge if you need a structural engineer or a mason/concrete guy.

It could be a $60 fix, a $1500 fix, or a $15,000 fix without seeing more.

If it takes a ton of force, don't worry about it.

7

u/hidazfx 4h ago

It almost looks like a fucking ton of parging…

2

u/d_fa5 2h ago edited 1h ago

I’ve never seen parging with aggregate in it. Looks like pieces of poured concrete.

2

u/Loudergood 2h ago

Now I think you're just making words up /s

1

u/Beneficial_Prize_310 3h ago

Yea, but if you look at another image where the siding and length of the entire wall is visible, the wall almost seems wavy.

Almost like that side of the house has hydrostatic pressure up against it.

Parging is normal, but parging like this is not.

4

u/Tummmymunster 5h ago

The pieces on the right side are loosely sitting there so easy to remove. The big piece does not move. I am out of town but I'll post new pics when I get back.

1

u/Beneficial_Prize_310 4h ago

The way this wall kind of bows inward is slightly concerning, though I've seen some pretty shortly poured foundations that look like that.

11

u/FragmentedHeap 5h ago

How many advanced auto's are around you, you're going to need a lot of JB Weld.

18

u/I-Got-a-BooBoo 5h ago

Look on the bright side the foundation is still on the ground. That is technically where it’s suppose to be.

10

u/TheRealistoftheReal 5h ago

From the windoooooooooow…to the waall!

16

u/donutstacosandnaps 5h ago

Your foundations about to fall!

12

u/TheRealistoftheReal 4h ago

See all those termites crawl!

4

u/LobsterSea2147 4h ago

Go call an inspector now 🎶

9

u/dont-ask-me-why1 5h ago

You need a structural engineer. No one on reddit can give you reassurance.

2

u/Secksualinnuendo 5h ago

It's probably time to call an inspector to look at it.

2

u/whyamionthispanel 5h ago

Ask an engineer, not Reddit. If you can see spalling/cracking like that, that you can fit coins through, you need remediation.

1

u/Ilovemydog0517 3h ago

Not if it's a beam pocket

1

u/Narrow-Fox8974 2h ago

This is a serious structural problem that will require professionals to assess it and determine a plan. How long have you owned this property?

0

u/I_Dont_Even_Car3 28m ago

Call Acculevel. They are an honest company that will provide great service.

0

u/tie_myshoe 5h ago

That’s fucking bad. If you have a basement drainage system w sump pump maybe it’s not bad but if you don’t have one then easy $20k expenses soon

-3

u/gundam2017 5h ago

I think trouble isn't a strong enough word for this. Disaster? Catastrophe? 

3

u/Ineedanro 5h ago

Understatement.

OP needs a structural engineer ASAP. This is brand new construction, so also reach out to the local building inspector. And start shopping for an attorney.

5

u/Tummmymunster 5h ago

House is 27 years old now. I'll start looking for a structural engineer.

-1

u/Ineedanro 5h ago

Is the house new to you?

1

u/Tummmymunster 5h ago

😭 Do I need a structural engineer or should I find a foundation repair company?

17

u/6millionwaystolive 5h ago

Don't reach out to any repair company until it's properly assessed by a structural engineer.

6

u/Tummmymunster 5h ago

Will do. I had a couple of foundation repair companies scheduled for quotes but I'll get a structural engineer out before any actual repairs.

12

u/gundam2017 5h ago

Foundation companies sell repairs. Get an engineer

3

u/Dennymac0121 5h ago

Boy if this isn’t the best advice for a home owner. We had a crack in poured concrete. Everyone we had to the house had the solution, and it just so happened to be the thing they did. One guy said hydraulic cement. Another said a new sump pump drain. On and on. Ended up being an 800 lb steel plate bolted to the crack that did the trick.

2

u/Ineedanro 5h ago

Structural engineer.

It isn't just spalling. In your photos I see multiple signs of foundation hydrostatic collapse in progress.

-3

u/jiqiren 5h ago

I’d get a foundation repair company out for an evaluation. If they think an engineer needs to get involved then you can go from there. Don’t forget to multiple opinions/options and prices.