As a leader in the field of Home and Building Inspections in Connecticut, Tiger Group, Inc. has inspected and identified thousands of defective concrete foundations, floor slabs and precast concrete products since 1992.
Our management team has implemented a strategy to deal with this current issue. All Tiger Home and Building Inspectors have received additional training to visually identify, to the degree that one can, defective concrete conditions. Further, we have several CFSIC Certified Inspectors on staff to address the inspection needs of the general public.
Our mission is to provide clear and sensible guidance to our clients so that they are well informed of the building conditions at the time of the inspection. If a determination is made that there may be a foundation/concrete concern, our Inspector will direct clients to seek further evaluation of the affected areas. If you require engineering assistance, we have a list of third-party service providers who can be of assistance on our Contractor Network and there are links below to additional engineering resources.
We understand the real estate process. Our highly experienced and trained Inspectors will provide a thorough inspection, documented in a timely report that will allow clients to make informed decisions and proceed with confidence. Most importantly we will stand behind our work with integrity, as we have done for decades.
Very truly yours,
Joe DeLaurentis JR.
In August 2015 Governor Malloy called upon the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, in conjunction with the Attorney General’s Office, to conduct an investigation into the cause of these concrete defects. Clients are advised to go to the website for updates as new information may be added at any time.
Upwards of 35,000 homes in a radius of Stafford Springs, Connecticut, are facing the potential for a failed concrete foundation due to the possible presence of a naturally occurring iron sulfide, pyrrhotite, in their concrete foundation. Pyrrhotite causes the slow deterioration of the concrete when exposed to oxygen and water. While the presence of pyrrhotite indicates the potential for concrete deterioration, its existence alone does not necessarily cause it.
The cracking starts small and may take more than 10 years to over 30 years to appear. Horizontal cracks or cracks that splinter out like a web are the most concerning. A rust color residue or white powder may appear. As the concrete deteriorates, it often becomes structurally unsound. The damage is irreversible. The repair is to fully replace the impacted foundation with a new foundation that does not contain pyrrhotite.
The State of Connecticut is providing financial assistance to homeowners who have a crumbling foundation, due to pyrrhotite, where the home, condo, planned unit development, or home addition was built after January 1, 1983. Please see the specific websites provided below for specific program requirements.
Additional Resources Available to Homeowners from the Department of Consumer Protection:
- Department of Consumer Protection page regarding deteriorating concrete
- Visual Inspection must be performed by a licensed professional engineer or by a licensed and CFSIC Certified Home Inspector. Check licensing information HERE.
The Capitol Region Council of Governments (CROCG) has put together a Qualified Vendor List for those wishing to repair their home. The vendor list includes Structural Engineers, Remediation and Materials Testing/Laboratory Analysis Companies. Additional information on Crumbling Foundations can be found on the CRCOG’s Crumbling Foundations page.
CT REALTORS® created a voluntary Concrete Combined Advisory and Disclosure Form to assist REALTORS® working with clients and customers in receiving important information about the crumbling foundation issue and ensuring specific information is asked and disclosed related to seller knowledge about any repairs, tests and inspections on a subject property.
The Combined Advisory and Disclosure and Buyer’s Advisory are available through these links provided by the CT Realtors.
The Connecticut Foundation Solutions (“CFSIC”) has been chartered and licensed as a captive insurer to assist the State of Connecticut with the fair and equitable adjustment of homeowner claims resulting from the pyrrhotite-affected home foundations natural disaster.
Tiger’s Foundation Inspection Service is available in Connecticut for homeowners, buyers and sellers in need of an independent third party inspection. Reporting will include a severity class code rating for those interested in filing a claim due to a foundation defect with CFSIC.
We have several CFSIC Certified Inspectors on staff following the established standards for Visual Inspections.
Inspections can be done in conjunction with your Home Inspection.
Inspections can also be done independent of a Home Inspection.