Links

 

National Academy of Building Inspection Engineers (www.nabie.org).  This is the web site of the only professional engineering organization devoted exclusively to building performance inspection and performance evaluation.  The NABIE publishes a Standard of Practice that addresses the evaluation of foundation performance.

Dawson Foundation Repair (www.dawsonfoundationrepair.com):  This is an excellent foundation repair site.  It is very easy to navigate and has a lot on interesting information.  There are a series of photos that explain the foundation repair process.  The web site also explains in very clear terms that most foundation repair is not structurally necessary.  To quote the web site:

“The majority of home foundation problems are not jeopardizing the structural integrity of the home.  Rather, the foundation problems present cosmetic deficiencies (cracked brick veneer), inconveniences (fixing jammed doors) and a need for greater home maintenance (fixing broken plumbing pipes).  The final decision concerning the repair of a home’s foundation depends on the individual homeowner’s tolerance of the symptoms.”

This is probably the most informative of all the foundation contractor related web sites.

DuWest Foundation Repair (www.duwestfoundation.com): DuWest is the oldest foundation repair contractor using a segmented pile system.

Foundation Performance Association (www.foundationperformance.org):  The Foundation Performance Association is an association of engineers, foundation repair contractors, and others involved with the design, construction, evaluation and repair of residential foundations including slab-on-ground foundations.  This is a useful site if you are an engineer, but there is not much here of interest to buyers and sellers.

Foundation Repair Network (www.foundationrepairnetwork.com): The purpose of this web site is to serve as a referral service for the participating foundation repair contractors.  The site does provide a lot of useful information about foundation repair.

Houston Association of Real Estate Inspectors (www.harei.com): The Houston Association of Real Estate Inspectors is primarily an marketing association of Licensed Real Estate Inspectors and Professional Engineers who provide inspection services for real estate transactions.

Foundation Repair Association (www.foundationrepair.org): The Foundation Repair Association is a trade association of foundation repair contractors.  They are located in Dallas, Texas; their membership shows a heavy concentration of Texas based contractors.  The quality of the information on this site is generally very high.

Post-Tensioning Institute (www.post-tensioning.org):  The Post-Tensioning Institute is a technical trade association that publishes the design and construction standards for residential post-tensioned slabs-on-ground.  The most interesting part of the website is a board where engineers and lay persons can post questions.

Texas Section American Society of Civil Engineers (www.texasce.org):  This website is where you can go to purchase and download the Guidelines for the Evaluation and Repair of Residential Foundations.

Texas Real Estate Commission (www.trec.state.tx.us):  The Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) is the licensing agency for real estate inspectors.  They also publish the Standards of Practice for Real Estate Inspectors.

US Army Corps of Engineers (www.usace.army.mil):  This US Army Corps of Engineers is arguably the premiere large engineering organization in the world.  Their website is an excellent source of information on a wide range of engineering and technical subjects including slab-on-ground foundation issues involving expansive soils.  

Foundation Performance Association (www.foundationperformance.org):  The Foundation Performance Association is an association of engineers, foundation repair contractors, and others involved with the design, construction, evaluation and repair of residential foundations including slab-on-ground foundations.  This is a useful site if you are an engineer, but there is not much here of interest to buyers and sellers.  

National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (www.nachi.org):  This site has a good message board where anyone can post messages related to any aspect of home inspection.

 
© 2004 R. Michael Gray, P.E. and Matthew T. Gray.  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.