Foundation expert

[cabin boy]

Anyone know a reputable foudation expert? I am having a severe ground heaving issue!

[rattlereel]

It sounds like you need a soils engineer.

[hanson]

Need some more details about your problem ...

Whats heaving... Basement floor slab? Sidewalks? Garage slab? Driveway?

I've never thought of a foundation wall as heaving although it could be differentially settling.

[reddog]

more info please.

[cabin boy]

Sorry for the delay, I was up north fishing! I live in a townhouse and the ground appears to be heaving directly below the lower level patio door.I need to get it figured out once and for all, the only question is who is going to pay for it.

[Tom7227]

I had a problem with a new cement drive raising about 4-6 inches when the ground froze. The contractor had screwed up and it was spalling as well so he had to take it out. While it was out I put a sleeved drain tile under it and built a drain out into the yard. Now it only goes up about an inch. It was a lot of work to put it in but I'm glad I did it. Once things thaw out maybe you should dig some test holes and see if they fill with water. If so you may have to do something like I did.

[JohnMickish]

If your townhouse has an association, I'd say that they are responsible for the building and it's their problem.

[pureinsanity]

Your foundation is heaving or the patio slab?

I think you mean your patio slab is heaving. That is rather normal if you ask me. But basically they probably didn't use enough base if any when the poured the patio slab.

if they wont fix it an easy fix is remove the slap dig out the ground, add a good layer of class 5, tamp it and replace the slab.

[reddog]

google "shallow frost protected foundation"

In my opinion, there is no permanent fix to this problem.

What you are dealing with is probably expansive soils, such as yellow clay, which has the capability of holding a large amount of water in it. When the water freezes..... well, you know what happens.

Tear it out and add a layer of 2 inch foam (2lb density)under the whole slab. If there is a deck above, with support posts, these need to be segregated from the surrounding soils, or you will get what is called ad freezing, where the soils actually grip the post foundations and lift them up, irregardless if they are 48 inches deep or not.

[deerminator]

I agree. If its just your slab and its only an inch or so difference, you may just be best off living with it - if it returns to normal when it warms up. We had a new sidewalk, garage apron and patio put in through a quality outfit a couple of years ago. I noticed the sidwalk heaves up about a half inch higher than the original porch during the coldest few months but returns to normal in the spring. We have heavy clay soil. Not enough of a deal to mess with in my opinion.

[rattlereel]

Is the heaving causing problems with your patio door?

Is there any reason water is getting under the patio or being held under the patio? Wet soil is the problem if you can figure out what is making it wet you might be able to prevent it in the future.