Replies

1. 
   sweetwater | Aug 24, 2003 06:25pm | #1

   Sometimes, but you need to have local building officials, fire experts or structural engineers look it over. Generally the building officials make the call on whether or not an engineer will have to be involved. Around here (California), they almost always do.

   In addition, codes may have been updated since the structures were built and the houses may need to be re-engineered before being rebuilt.

   Don

1. 
   FastEddie1 | Aug 24, 2003 08:30pm | #2

   What happens to the pvc pipes?  Obviously the above slab portion is gone, but what happens to them in the slab, and how do you make a new joint?Do it right, or do it twice.

2. 
   TRIGGER | Aug 24, 2003 11:06pm | #3

   Every totaly burnt down house I've ever done, (18 yrs in this trade) gets a new slab. Too much heat on the concrete will make it fracture.

1. 
   dunctank | Aug 25, 2003 01:30am | #4

   Here the houses are built on full foundations. But that is what I heard that the heat during the fire causes the concrete to explode and crack. As far as the pipes penatrating the slab, I supose a guy could hammer out an area around the pipe and make a conection below the slab. Then just patch a small area of the slab. They haven't allowed any one into the affected areas of our city. I'm sure it will be more evident what needs to be done once we can see the damage. Anyone with expirience working for an insurance company to rebuid disaster areas?

1. 
   TRIGGER | Aug 25, 2003 06:16am | #6

   Yup, Typical is, the insurance adjuster will total it then offer way too little to rebuild. One thing to remember is that the insurance co. must prove that you did not have a particular item,( furniture, wallpaper, special paint, tools,etc..),rather than you having to prove you did. Usually the policy limits kick in unless you've got code upgrades and etc.. on your policy. We stick to partial burns  because that's what were set up for and we can't compete with the builders who do houses from the ground up. It's two completely different types of construction.

     BTW  Prayers are going out for all the victims tonight.

                                                Jack

3. 
   Piffin | Aug 25, 2003 05:52am | #5

   boss hogg just had a thread on this topic for over a slab and he recieved some seemingly knowledgeable advice.

   For myself, I would have an engineer inspect any old foundation I planned to pour money over. Kind of let him baptize it so it can be re-born again.

   .

   Excellence is its own reward!

4. 
   JeffBuck | Aug 25, 2003 08:10am | #7

   not sure of the particulars ..but it can be done. My sisters place burned pretty much to the ground a coupla yrs back .....they're free lance insurace rep got them the money to rebuild and them some.

   Only 2 story on a street full ranches.

   they had a walk out basement .....sloped lot...front at 1st floor level.....walk out basement in the rear....

   They were able to keep the front wall ....most of it.....and all the basement/foundation/footer.

   Just cleaned up then built up.

   I do know they had some sort of inspections to make sure the foundation hadn't got hot enough.

   The fire started in the basement too...went straight up thru the very middle of the house before it spread.

   So soemone out there verifies this stuff before a rebuild.....just don't know who.

   Jeff

   Buck Construction   Pittsburgh,PA

    Fine Carpentery.....While U Waite