What is the meaning of remediation?
verb re·me·di·at·ed, re·me·di·at·ing. to remove or reduce (pollutants, harmful chemicals, etc.):Water damage restoration experts mop up and dry out homes, remediate mold, decontaminate items, and repair damaged structures. to clean (air, soil, water, etc.) by removing or reducing pollutants, harmful chemicals, etc.:
What causes a house to settle?
When the weight of a home causes the soil particles to consolidate tighter, then the home drops down or settles. There are 3 basic types of settlement and one type usually causes more damage to the home, than the other two types. Uniform settlement is when the home settles evenly at all four corners.
Is it normal for a new house to settle?
The good news is that before a home is built, the footings and foundation are generally engineered for the type of soil conditions that a house will sit on, unfortunately mother nature, time and other events occur that over-rides the original engineering. It is not unusual for a home to settle a little, especially in the first year or two.
How can you tell if a house is having settlement?
Evidence that a home may be having settlement include: Cracks in drywall or plaster; cracks in stucco, block or brick siding Should a home incur excessive settlement, then the home may suffer damage to the foundation. If the damage is significant it can cause damage to the rest of the home sitting on-top of the foundation.
What is a remediated settlement?
means of resolving lawsuits arising from alleged defects in drywall manufactured and exported. to the United States by KPT (the "KPT Drywall Litigations");
Are remediated sinkholes safe?
Homes with sinkholes that aren't repaired should be avoided. These homes are usually priced very low, and an unaddressed sinkhole can be very dangerous. The longer the sinkhole is left without repairs, the worse these issues might become.
Is it safe to buy a home with a repaired sinkhole?
In general, if a repair has been certified by a licensed engineer and completed to the satisfaction of the homeowner's insurance company, it is likely safe. However, since these are natural systems, there can be no guarantees that a repaired sinkhole will not cause future problems.
What is a repaired settlement home in Florida?
Sinkholes and “sinkhole homes” (homes with repaired or active sinkholes on the property) are remarkably common in the state of Florida. This is due in part to the karst terrain in the state. Karst topography is formed from the breakdown of soluble rocks like limestone.
Are there warning signs before a sinkhole?
Some of the warning signs that can signify that there is a sinkhole include structural cracks in floors and walls, windows and doors that do not close properly and cloudy or muddy well water.
Which state has the most sinkholes?
"The most damage from sinkholes tends to occur in Florida, Texas, Alabama, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Pennsylvania."
Will homeowners insurance cover sinkholes?
Does homeowners insurance cover sinkholes? In most cases, homeowners insurance does not cover sinkholes. Your homeowners insurance policy only covers the physical structure of your house. Like earthquakes, sinkholes are a form of earth movement, which is usually not a covered peril.
How do you remediate a sinkhole?
Grouting—Several grouting techniques are used for sinkhole remediation. Some of the methods include cap grouting, low-mobility grouting, and dome filling. A typical grouting process is designed to fill the open voids in the soil and improve the consistency of the soil matrix.
What happens if your house has a sinkhole?
If a sinkhole threatens your house, get out immediately, and call your local emergency management organization, then your insurance company. 2. If you suspect a sinkhole is beginning, call your insurance company, which will send an adjuster to determine if the hole or depression needs further investigation.
How long does it take a house to settle after foundation repair?
Generally, it might take around two years internally before the building stabilizes. In most cases, a house should finish “settling” after a year. Usually, it goes through seasons of different humidity: hot weather, cold weather, wet weather, etc.
How much house settlement is normal?
Settling cracks will be vertical, between two and six inches long, and 1/16 of an inch in width. If the cracks you're seeing are horizontal or wider than 1/16 of an inch, that could indicate improper settling.
How do you know if your house is settling?
4 Signs Your Home Has a Sinking FoundationFoundation Cracks. One of the most obvious signs that you've got a problem with foundation sinking or settling is finding noticeable cracks in your foundation walls. ... Crack In Walls Or Above Windows And Door Frames. ... Sticking Doors Or Windows. ... Uneven Floors.
How do you remediate a sinkhole?
Grouting—Several grouting techniques are used for sinkhole remediation. Some of the methods include cap grouting, low-mobility grouting, and dome filling. A typical grouting process is designed to fill the open voids in the soil and improve the consistency of the soil matrix.
Can sinkholes be fixed?
If the sinkhole is not affecting a house or other structure, and has a reasonable size — 2 to 5 feet in both diameter and depth — then you can repair it yourself. A large sinkhole will most likely require excavation and a more complex filling operation.
How do you fix a sinkhole in Florida?
The main sinkhole repair method in Florida is pressure grouting with either a cement grout solution or a polyurethane grout solution. However, in some cases, underpinning with foundation piers is used along with grouting to stabilize foundations affected by sinkhole formation.
How do I fix a small sinkhole in my yard?
0:071:19How to Repair Yard Sinkholes : Designed Landscapes - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAll you need is some good quality topsoil you want to go ahead and back fill that hole with topsoil.MoreAll you need is some good quality topsoil you want to go ahead and back fill that hole with topsoil. And you actually want to go a little bit above the top of the whole.
How long does settling a home last?
As long as qualified people have built your home, it should last for many years. That being said, mistakes can happen, even for the best of home builders.
Why Do Houses Settle?
For one thing, the immense weight of a house is sure to compress the soil beneath. When that happens, the house is likely to sink a few inches.
What happens when you settle in a new home?
Chances are, they will be minimal. This settling will create tiny gaps through which air can flow. That will make your home harder to heat and cool, nullifying the effects of your insulation.
What does it mean when your house is loose?
If the soil is loose, that means there will be a lot more room for your house to settle. Some home builders will deal with this problem by tamping the soil with heavy equipment.
How long does it take for a house to stop settling?
All of these little signs should stop after a couple of years. If they don’t, you might want to get a detailed home inspection to see if you have any serious issues with your foundation.
Why does clay soil crack?
Clay tends to expand and contract with the temperature, and it also expands and contracts in response to moisture. This movement of the ground can cause a home to sink too far, or it can put pressure on the foundation from below and cause cracking.
When does a home settle down?
It is not unusual for a home to settle a little, especially in the first year or two.
What happens if a house settles?
Should a home incur excessive settlement, then the home may suffer damage to the foundation. If the damage is significant it can cause damage to the rest of the home sitting on-top of the foundation. When the foundation moves, it can cause plumbing pipes to crack or sewer lines to separate, damage trusses or rafters, as well as damage other components of the home.
Why does my soil heave?
Just as moisture in clayey type soils causes heaving, the removal of moisture in these soils causes subsidence. Another common cause is tree roots near or under a foundation that draws out moisture from the soil through a process called transpiration. ( Read about how transpiration works) Seasonal changes and ground water issues may likewise contribute to subsidence.
Why is the foundation of a house compacted?
Primary and secondary compaction. Generally the soil that a homes foundation is built on will be compacted in order to better support the bottom of the foundation and if the soil is not well (consolidated) compacted the foundation will settle more than normal, especially in the first few years.
What is the first form of compaction?
The first compaction done, usually by mechanical equipment, such as compactors or heavy construction equipment could be referred to as primary consolidation. It forces air and some water out of minuscule spaces between the soil particles; the particles of soil are pushed (compacted) closer together.
What happens when the weight of a home causes the soil particles to consolidate tighter?
When the weight of a home causes the soil particles to consolidate tighter, then the home drops down or settles. There are 3 basic types of settlement and one type usually causes more damage to the home, than the other two types.
What to look for when settling a house?
Evidence that a home may be having settlement include: Foundation appears to have dropped down or sunk. Top of foundation not level. Cracks in the foundation. Basement walls cracked, leaning or bowed. Roof sags, wavy or has a hump. Cracks in drywall or plaster; cracks in stucco, block or brick siding.
Repairing Sinkholes: Grouting or Underpinning?
There are two primary ways to fix a sinkhole: grouting and underpinning. After a careful inspection of your sinkhole, our team will select the right sinkhole remediation method.
Different Types of and Causes of Sinkholes
First, we will assess the damage and figure out what kind of sinkhole you have. There are three main types of sinkholes:
What You Should Do if You See a Sinkhole
The most important thing you can do in case of a sinkhole is call the experienced team at Foundation Professionals of Florida as soon as you see one, or if you notice warning signs. Warning signs include:
WRITTEN BY David Brown
David Brown is the VP of Foundation Professionals of Florida and has over 40 years of experience in the construction and foundation repair industries.
How many checks do you get for damage to your home?
Check with your state department of insurance. When both the structure of your home and personal belongings are damaged, you generally receive two separate checks from your insurance company, one for each category of damage.
Do you have to buy replacements for items damaged before insurance?
If you have a replacement cost policy, you may be required to buy replacements for items damaged before your insurance company will compensate you. Make sure to keep receipts as proof of purchase.
Visible Signs
Check the property for visible surface depressions – concave areas, low spots, etc. While these may be natural, it is a good idea to have them looked at by an expert.
Investigation History
Be sure to ask the seller if the home has had an insurance claim or investigation in the past. If any information about previous investigations exists, the seller is legally obligated to disclose it.
Correct Interpretation
Once you receive a copy of the insurance report from the seller, you need to understand it fully. If any part of this report seems confusing to you, be sure to have it evaluated.
Remediation Inspection
There are a lot of companies that capitalize on sinkholes and claim to be able to fix them. Some of these companies do not have quality repair methods. Make sure that the repair was done by a reputable company like Foundation Professionals of Florida.
Records Search
Be sure to conduct a thorough records search. Find out what sort of repairs have been done to the home. Check your Florida County Property Appraiser and Florida Clerks of Court websites for information on various permits and repairs to homes.
Check Insurability
Make sure that the home you are planning on buying can be insured. If any of the previous owners took out a large insurance claim and did not use it to repair the sinkhole, it could create complications.
Interior Damage
When doing your inspection of the home’s interior, keep track of cracks and other problems you find. Be sure to ask whether these were existing issues or whether they were caused by the sinkhole.
What does "remediate harm" mean?
to lessen the effect of; ameliorate: The university's agreement to remediate harm shall be considered an act of compassion and empathy, not an admission of guilt.
What does "water damage restoration" mean?
to remove or reduce (pollutants, harmful chemicals, etc.): Water damage restoration experts mop up and dry out homes, remediate mold, decontaminate items, and repair damaged structures. to clean (air, soil, water, etc.) by removing or reducing pollutants, harmful chemicals, etc.: