alt.building.construction

On Oct 3, 6:24 pm, "Dennis" wrote:
> I feel you would only be wasting your money. If this is a mob, and was
> installed in a last few years, you go back on the installer for failing to
> locate the footings below the frost line (a code requirement). Most allow
> you to sue for not complying with a major code item; some have limitations
> such as ten years, others shorter and others never expire. You should talk
> with your local building department.
>
> If your home has a conic foundation you 'could' consider adding a little
> heat to raise the under-floor temp on the dirt; during the worst winter
> weather (this is only feasible if you have an enclosed foundation, not a
> curtain wall or skirting as the heat loss is going to be quite high).
>
> As I see it, your only real option is to replace the piers, on-at-a-time
> with footings below the frost depth (leave the existing piers in place and
> install new piers along side; removing the original piers afterwards.) You
> WILL need a Professional Engineer to do this as there are many factors
> concerning the soil type, vertical and lateral load paths and existing
> structure to be concerned with). This would be a labor-intensive and a very
> costly venue; however you will never have a home that will resist frost
> heave with your current installation. Sooner or later it will cause serious
> structural problems.
>
> Again, your local building official could be of immense help to you, please
> go there first and forger any easy scheme to fix a very serious problem.
>
> "Will W" wrote in message
>
> news: @ ...
>
> >I have a house in a region which is prone to deep frost, and is
> > supported on cement piers. Some of these piers move up after the
> > ground freezes, and then somewhat return after the ground thaws. Some
> > of them sink past their original positions and require shimming to
> > keep the house plumb. I'm currently applying basic drainage
> > principles
> > to get the water away before the ground freezes.
>
> > Someone suggested I bury styrofoam discs around the surfaces where my
> > cement piers meet the ground to help prevent the piers from rising
> > and
> > shifting due to frost. Any thoughts on this?

Yes, buried foam can be used to prevent frost penetration. Here in
Northern Minnesota, it is done all the time, and it does meet code
(although an engineer has to sign off on the design). It would be no
small matter to retrofit foam, however, on a house on piers. For it
to be effective, it must be buried. Also,it'd likely have to be a
pretty big "disc"--I have built several houses on shallow frost
protected slab on grad foundations, and the typical detail we see
(which will vary by climate) is 3" of extruded polystyrene 4 feet out
from the house (granted, I practically live in the subarctic). If you
really want to do it according to Hoyle, you should talk to an
engineer who is familiar with frost protected footings. On the other
hand, For a sample of what you are up against, check out
/Downloads/ . Good luck--
you've got a tough one on your hands.