Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Jul 11, 2000 12:56am | #1

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   Like you I'm not familiar with soil conditions in Florida, however, I would investigate the possibility of organic material being left under the slab prior to pouring the concrete.

   The second item that I would investigate for is improper compaction prior to pouring.

   Regardless of which one caused the problem, you're still stuck with the solution.

   If it can be established for certain that the ground compression has stabilized then pressure grouting will normally fill the void and even lift the slab, IF DONE PROPERLY.

   Gabe

1. 
   Guest_ | Jul 17, 2000 04:26pm | #2

   *strange how this can come back to the top with out a post...i've noticed that happening a lot lately..a caveat...if the soil is in fact shrinking.. and conditions change.. the clay will expand again..what do the locals offer as a solution ?apparently there was not enough excavation of unsuitable material before the slab was poured.. then it should have been replace with gravel or crushed coral or whatever they use in that area for compacted material..the hydraulic jacking sounds like the best solution..but the same engineers who determined it is not a sink hole should also have some suggestions

1. 
   Guest_ | Jul 17, 2000 05:39pm | #3

   *I'm not a contractor, but I've heard it's always advisable to run a lawn sprinkler around the perimeter of a house during dry periods. I've heard that this is especially true for houses on slabs.Old wives tale? I'll let the pros decide.......

2. 
   Dave_Arbuckle | Jul 17, 2000 06:58pm | #4

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   It certainly isn't an old wives tale 'round here in the Dallas area. Cracked foundations from the clay soil drying are such a common problem that "watering the foundation" is a standard clause in house lease contracts.

   Dave

1. 
   Brian_Duckett | Jul 18, 2000 04:45am | #5

   *I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO REMODEL MY GRANDMOTHERS OLD HOUSE, IT WAS BUILT IN 1916 ANYWAY THERE IS A BEAMGOING DOWN ONE SIDE OF THE HOUSE THE IS TOTALLY ROTTED OUT. ITS TOTAL LENGTH IS 59 FEET. HOW DO I REPLACE THIS?

3. 
   Steve_Cox | Jul 18, 2000 04:45am | #6

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   I have a problem with a sinking/sunken floor in Florida. It`s a slab floor with a traditional footing and block wall built on the footing, with the slab floating between block walls. Engineers have done test drillings and assured me that it is not due to a sinkhole. Instead they suggest it is due to clay shrinking because of the three year drought we are experiencing. Other houses are undergoing cracking/sinking also so I don`t. feel it is specific to my house. The amount of settling goes from nothing to an inch or so, and is not consistent throughout the house. We want new carpet but need to address this problem first. My question is what are some possible solutions? Im a carpenter who`I recently moved here from Montana and have no experience with this problem.