One of the homes we bought recently showed signs of an elevated crack in the lower level slab floor. Unfortunately it was covered by 1970’s shag carpet so we were unable to really examine it until after we closed and the owners moved out. It was at this time, under the watchful eye of an engineer that we realized the extent of the problem. The slab had been poured on top of un-compacted fill dirt, and had no rebar attaching to the poured wall foundation; nor was it poured so that it was supported by the foundation walls. NOT GOOD NEWS.
THE SOLUTION provided by the engineer was to remove approximately one half of the slab. This was accomplished by cutting the slab loose in the places that had it wedged so that we could bust it up and remove it through a lower level window. This we did under the direction of the engineer. When the final cut was made the entire slab dropped approximately 18”. The impact shook the entire neighborhood when it dropped to the ground beneath it. The pour guy standing on it when the final cut was made felt the slab drop from under him as he too dropped 18”.
The moral of this true story is whatever we fill our lives with, or attach ourselves to we should make sure that it will provide the necessary support; because if we don’t it will crack, and when it does it will shake our foundation and affect those around us.
