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Posted by Will W on October 4, 2007, 10:00 am
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> > 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).
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> > 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.
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> > 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.
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> > >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
outhttp://www.countryplans.com/Downloads/shallowfound.pdf. Good luck--
> you've got a tough one on your hands.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -
That's good info. I too am in subarctic conditions. I've got some
styrofoam panels on hand to try it out. I was toying with the idea of
digging down around the piers in the shape of the disc, lining the
hole with some scrap typar, and filling it like a mold with that
expanding foam (great stuff). I know, sounds like a lot of unneccesary
work doesn't it. I was thinking it might adhere/seal to the pier
better, and I could make it the desired thickness.
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