As many as 20,000 houses affected - from the New York Times:
With Connecticut Foundations Crumbling, ‘Your Home Is Now Worthless’
Sandra Miller was at work in January when her daughter called from their home here on Oakridge Drive with alarming news. The house was making loud noises, as if someone had jumped off the counter and landed with a bang. For seconds afterward, the house shook.
A while later, it happened again, and again. Over the next several hours, terrifying bangs rattled the house. The next morning, Ms. Miller called Bill Neal, a structural engineer, who delivered the same stunning assessment to her that he has now told hundreds of homeowners: The concrete foundation was crumbling and, as a result, her house was gradually collapsing.
What and why?
The stone aggregate used in the concrete mixture has high levels of pyrrhotite, an iron sulfide mineral that can react with oxygen and water to cause swelling and cracking. Over the past 30 years, the quarry has provided concrete for as many as 20,000 houses.
A lot more at the link - needless to say, lots of litigation. Homeowners insurance does not cover this kind of slow collapse. There is a state website here: About Concrete Foundations and our Investigation
Leave a comment