Hope for Homeowners
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Approximately 42 towns in CT have been infected by the crumbling foundation crisis. The majority of the failed concrete foundations can be traced to the presence of a naturally occurring iron sulfide called pyrrhotite. This mineral was found in a CT quarry that supplied aggregate to the JJ Mottes Concrete Company in Stafford Springs, CT who then used it to mix residential foundations spanning from 1983 until 2015.


When exposed to oxygen and water, pyrrhotite causes concrete to slowly deteriorate and eventually crumble. The cracking starts small and can take years to appear. A rust color residue or white powder may also be visible. As the deterioration progresses, the appearance of horizontal cracks, cracks that splinter out like a web or areas that "bubble out" are typical symptoms. The concrete eventually disintegrates often rendering the foundation structurally unsound.

The damage is irreversible and seriously impacted foundations need to be replaced with a new pyrrhotite-free foundation. Fortunately, homeowners who are suffering from crumbling foundations or suspect they may have pyrrhotite in their foundations can now apply for financial assistance via a grant program through CRCOG.

To qualify for assistance, a severity class code must be assigned to the foundation.

Ron Rivard is one of a select group of CFSIC -certified home inspectors qualified to evaluate and assign these codes which help expedite the CRCOG reimbursement processing time for the homeowner.