How Do I Know If I Need A New Foundation? – Some Key Indicators
                     How Do I Know If I Need A New Foundation? 
– Some Key Indicators
  
Condition of the Foundation Concrete 
Concrete is a mixture of cement, sand and rock. Many of the older homes we work on 
were built in the 1920’s, when it was common to use sand from the Bay, and the 
salts tend to react with moisture in the soil which accelerates deterioration of the 
con crete. If you see a lot of  the whitish powder on the concrete (efflorescence) or 
your crawlspace soil is damp, water in the soil may be an issue.
Lack of Reinforcement (aka Rebar)
We are generally not seeing rebar in most concrete until around the 30’s or 40’s. This 
counts out most of our older homes, which have no reinforcement. When older 
foundations settle over time they can develop cracks. In newer foundations the rebar 
will  keep foundation cracks fr om growing, as the rebar holds the concrete together.
Grade Issues and Problems with the Depth or 
Size of the Footings
There are minimum dimensions for the size of your foundation and how deep it 
needs to be buried and how far above the ground it should go. The soil level around 
buildings tends to get higher over time due to erosion and landscaping, and the top 
of  the foundation can get  close to the ground level rather than the current 
requirement of 8” above grade.
It’s All About the Drainage 
The common theme here is groundwater or surface water issues- AKA French Drains 
and downspout drainage. Most people suspect foundation or structural problems 
when they see cracks inside the house, sloping floors or sticking doors, but these are 
just reflections of what is going on underneath or around your home
  
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