What is meant by the term Foundation Spalling?
Spalling is the deterioration of the concrete or masonry around your home that occurs as a result of water entering into brick, concrete, or natural stone and causing the foundation to push outward, flake, and peel. Spalling can be prevented by keeping water out of the brick, concrete, and natural stone. Because it has the potential to cause severe structural damage or even bring the entire building down, it should not be treated as a cosmetic issue but instead, be taken seriously.
When there is a prolonged period of heavy rains followed by flooding that takes a long time to dry out, spalling can occur. This can also happen in basements where the moisture and salt levels are not properly controlled. The failure to mix the ingredients properly, improper installation, or overloading of the structure are all potential causes of spalling.
On the other hand, concrete spalling takes place when there is corrosion of the steel reinforcements that are used to provide strength to the foundation. The primary cause of spalling in concrete is an excess of salt in the soil, which is why it is important to cover any steel reinforcements with alkaline dense concrete.
Indications of Foundation Cracking or Spalling
Even though the damage to the foundation cannot be seen from the outside of the house, the concrete that surrounds your home will be affected if there is something wrong with the structure. If there is damage to the foundation, the soil beneath the concrete will begin to shift, and this will begin to have an effect on many different aspects of your home. These indicators are likely to be present in a home that is experiencing this type of deterioration;
Walls and floors that are crumbling apart
Breaking ceiling Sloping floor
Walls that are leaning
And a great deal more.
What causes a foundation to spall and how does it happen?
When efflorescence causes the internal salt and minerals of brick or concrete to rise to the surface over an extended period of time, spalling can develop on the surface of the material.
As was established earlier, the primary factor that contributes to spalling is water. The spalling can be caused by water striking the wall directly during heavy rains, water spilling from the gutters or roof surface, the water picked up from damp soil, or when moisture enters the foundation in the form of vapor escaping from the building. Other possible causes include water picking up moisture from damp soil.
It does not matter whether the water is coming from above or below the surface; if it is prevented from escaping near the surface of the foundation, it will either freeze or thaw inside the concrete, which will begin to deteriorate the structure’s underpinnings.
The process of thawing typically takes place in locations where the temperature is cold. Any water that is able to remain trapped in colder climates evaporates at a slower rate, which results in the water freezing and expanding, a process that also causes spalling. The degree of deterioration will be proportional to the frequency of thawing, as well as the quality and degree of sealing provided by the bricks, and the amount of moisture present.
What are some possible solutions to a spalling foundation?
The extent of the damage dictates how the damage will need to be repaired. In the event that you notice some minor spalling, you have several options for having it repaired:
– Remove the spalled concrete in order to clean the surface and get rid of any loose debris.
-Rust preventative measures should be taken with any type of reinforced steel.
If the damage is significant, a structural engineer will need to rebuild the section of the wall that was damaged. Get in touch with RLM Retrofit Foundation to arrange for a qualified Foundation Inspection Barstow.
Possible Problems With Various Home Foundation Types Barstow
