foundation

Frustrated with Failure: Connecticut's Crumbling Concrete

Concrete

Imagine learning that your biggest investment, your home, rested on a failing foundation. Water leaks in, large cracks occur, and you wonder if your home – your safe haven – might simply collapse. Unfortunately, hundreds of people aren’t merely imagining this situation. Homeowners in a large area of North Central Connecticut have discovered crumbling foundations, hairline cracks, and foundation failure. To make matters worse, in almost every case, insurance companies have refused to pay for these damages and have even cancelled or not renewed the policies of affected homes.

How did this happen?

According to the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, home inspections have shown that pyrrhotite, an iron sulfide mineral, oxidized in the concrete, causing it to expand. This expansion lead to cracking and the eventual crumbling of the foundations. This type of damage and crumbling can occur years after the foundation is poured. Homes in Connecticut with these failing foundations were built in the 1980s and 1990s.

The other common factor was that concrete from JJ Mottes Company was used in these crumbling foundations. Joseph Callahan, chief building official in Coventry, RI, who is quoted in this article, states that he has never found a foundation failure using another company’s concrete. Investigations, inspections, and legal proceedings continue, but homeowners are simply seeking the best, most economical solution.

Are YOU a homeowner affected by these failing foundations and crumbling concrete? Kettelle Building Movers can help.

When we learned what our Connecticut neighbors have dealt with because of these foundation issues, we wanted to help. Kettelle Building Movers has the equipment, experience, and expertise to be the solution.

We have the largest inventory of equipment in the area, serving all of Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Southeastern Massachusetts. With our years of experience relocating buildings and doing concrete work, we are confident that we can take on this devastating concrete crisis. We hope to bring back the peace of mind of knowing your home is safe. We can lift and move your home while a new foundation can be poured. Or, should a homeowner decide to move the house completely to a new parcel of land, we can transport the home to its new location. In many cases, KBM’s services are the most cost-effective way to repair this problem.

Please visit our website to learn more about our services, and please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions at 401.295.2329.