[phospher]

wanted a few opinions here..

i have a concrete driveway that was put in about 3 years ago. two of the six slabs are sinking pretty bad. they are about 2 inches lower than the others hence a bit of a speed bump. also, my water shutoff is in my driveway and it used to be about a half inche below the concrete and now it sticks out of the concrete about an inch the driveway is about 50 feet long and on a incline. my question is should the concrete company be held responsible to fixing this via mudjacking? seems like this is only going to get worse...

thoughts?

 

[Ron6519]

"my question is should the concrete company be held responsible to fixing this via mudjacking? "
Theoretically, it would seem to be correct. In the real world, I doubt they will step up. Then your choices are; sue them or pay to have it repaired.
Do you have a detailed contract that spelled out what they were going to do?
Have you eliminated any other possibilities as to the cause?
Ron

 

[phospher]

thanks for the response. i do have some type of contract though i have not looked that over to see what it entails. drainage is good on my property so i don't know what could have caused this other than bad prep work.

 

[Gary in WA]

I would check if you have a leaking supply line to the house. This could cause a slab to drop, by over-hydrating the sub-soil under it.

When low occupant activity in the house, read the meter at the box - by the street, wherever it ties to your property. Do not use any water for an hour or longer, if possible. Read the meter again, it should not have changed.
It could be other problems, but at least you will know it's not that. Be safe, GBAR

 

[jomama45]

Around this area, most concrete contractors only waurantee work for 1 year, even if it's not stated. Unfortunately, I think you would have to fight them in court over this, & I'm not sure you would win. It probably only has "Fibermesh" in it, & this is one more example where fiber alone is not adequate in this climate. The water shut off is sleeved, & usually has a few feet of play. Unless it's bottomed out on the collar (inside) you may be able to drive it back down if it's not wedged in the concrete too much. On a side note, keep in mind that your going to see the plugged holes from mudjacking permantly. Best of luck.

 

[Thurman]

May I ask to clarify something: You are wanting to know if you should hold the "concrete company" responsible in this, or are you actually asking "should I hold the concrete contractor, who prepped the site and poured the concrete responsible". I can't see where you would have a claim against the concrete company unless-they were contracted to do the prepping and pouring. I am not familiar with your area, but around here that ain't gonna happen. Concrete companies only deliver and pour, concrete contractors do the prep work and finish the concrete. It's hard to imagine that anyone would have done such a bad job on prepping the sub-surface to have it "shrink" or allow this much drop within the 3 years. I'm with GBAR, it sounds like some type of hydraulic undermining to me. Checking the water meter as he stated is the first step. Good Luck, David

 

[phospher]

yes, i meant the concrete contractor who actually did the driveway not the concrete company.


and yes, it's only fibermesh. any idea how much i can expect to pay for mudjacking? the two slabs that would need to be lifted measure 19 feet X 8 feet when measured together.

the water main does not appear to be leaking but if it was how could i tell? i have a meter in my basement that runs anytime water is being drawn but if the leak was ocuring under my driveway the meter would never see it.


thanks,

 

[jomama45]

yes, i meant the concrete contractor who actually did the driveway not the concrete company.


and yes, it's only fibermesh. any idea how much i can expect to pay for mudjacking? the two slabs that would need to be lifted measure 19 feet X 8 feet when measured together.

thanks,

Phospher, If you PM me where your located, I may be able to hook you up with a mudjacker who I trust, if your not too far away.

I can only guess, but maybe $400 to $800?

 

[Gary in WA]

"read the meter at the box - by the street, wherever it ties to your property." Good thing it's copy and paste, that is a lot more typing the 2nd time. Be safe, GBAR

 

[phospher]

what meter? its all under ground. there are no meters that i'm aware of.

 

[Gary in WA]

Usually, the water supply to the house comes from the street, maybe alley? The utility company that sends you that bill every other month (here), has to keep track of usage to charge you for. Look for a 24"x12", or so, green or dirt covered lid with a smaller access lid. The meter will be on your side of the water shut-off valve, under the lid. Watch out for spiders! Between the street and the sidewalk, or on the edge of your property. Be safe, GBR

 

[phospher]

the meter you speak of is in my basement. they use a wireless technology to find the usage. all they need to do is drive around the neighborhood with their little laptops. this home was built in 2006. i have verified that the little dial is not turning but then again if it was leaking under the driveway i would never know. though, eventually, i would imagine i would see water somewhere.

here is my meter; http://www.badgermeter.com/getdoc/1...c9c172/The-TRUE-No-Lead-Solution-4-08-lr.aspx

 

[jomama45]

Phospher, I find the water supply branch to your house to be leaking highly unlikely. In newer homes, like yours, the water is usually run in with your sewer (in the same trench) along with enough clear stone to drain the water away, under the street. Take a look in your basement, the water more than likely comes in through the floor rather than thru the wall. If it's 8+ feet below the ground, it shouldn't affect the subgrade below the drive.

 

[phospher]

you are exactly correct. the water comes in from the basement floor.