FAQ's

Home Expansive Soils Slab Evaluations Building Codes Retaining Engineeers Mitigation and Repair Foundation Cracks Slabs-on-Ground

 

 

The pages linked to the this page are loaded with reliable, short and informative answers to questions frequently asked by Greater Houston Area home buyers and sellers.

 

About Expansive Soils 

What are expansive soils?     Why do so many Houston houses show signs of damage due to foundation movement?    What areas of the Greater Houston Area are affected? 

About Slab-on-Ground Foundations 

What are post-tensioned slab-on-ground foundations?     What are conventionally reinforced slab-on-ground foundations?     What are the significant differences between a conventionally reinforced and post-tensioned slab-on-ground foundations?   Should it make any difference to me what kind of slab-on-ground foundation a house has?     How do slab-on-ground foundations work?     What are active and dormant areas of a slab-on-ground foundation? 

About Foundation Performance Evaluations 

How do engineers identify damage caused by foundation movement?     What are foundation inspections and foundation performance evaluations?     Are there different types of foundation engineering evaluations?     How reliable are foundation performance evaluations?     How much damage should a homeowner be willing to tolerate?     How far out-of-level is acceptable?     Will my house fall down? 

About Foundation Cracks 

What is a cracked slab?     If my floor tile has cracks, is my slab cracked?     What is a corner or wedge crack?     When does a crack become a problem?     If my floor tile pops loose, do I have a foundation problem?   

About Building Codes

What does the code say about foundation performance?     What do the code-approved design protocols say about foundation performance? 

About Mitigation and Repair

What options are available for addressing foundation performance issues?     What options are available for improving foundation performance by mitigating moisture changes in the soil supporting the foundation?     Are there any practical limitations on our ability to mitigate moisture changes in the soil?     How is the need for structural foundation repair established?     How are foundations structurally repaired?     How much improvement in performance can be reasonably expected from foundation repair?    If I buy a house that shows signs of foundation movement related damage, will I be able to sell the house?     What are some examples of a foundation in need of concrete repair?     What is your philosophy of foundation repair? 

About Retaining Home Inspectors  and Engineers 

What is the difference between a real estate inspection report and an engineering performance evaluation?  What should a home buyer look for when retaining a Professional Engineer?     What is the most important criteria form selecting a Professional Structural Engineer? 
 

 

 

 
© 2004 R. Michael Gray, P.E.  This material may be reprinted for personal and educational non-commercial use only.  This material is based on generally accepted engineering principles and practices; it is for general information only.  The information contained herein should not be used without first securing competent professional advice with respect to its suitability for a general or specific application.  Anyone using this information assumes all liability for such use.