Expert: Stephen Major (Owner--Major Design Group) - 8/2/2007

Question
I'm in the process of building a new home. I have the foundation poured, and have recently found out that it won't pass inspection. I'm doing a daylight basement with 9' walls on 3 sides and 4' in the back.The problem is the back wall needs to be 5" higher to pass. So the concrete company is going to add 12" or so and raise it up. My question is what is the best practice to keep this seperate pour one solid piece? Drill and epoxy rebar into the exsisting concrete?
One last question is do you feel the concrete guys should be resposible for this or the homeowner?

Answer
Jon,

The wall should be drilled for rebar pins (I would use #4 bar at 12 inch centers), and they should be secured with epoxy capsules.  Drill the holes at odd angles, slightly off vertical.  The mating surface of the old concrete should be coated with an appropriate bonding agent.

If the foundation contractor was given some type of instruction (blueprints, specifications) and he did not follow them, then he should do the repair at his expense.  Otherwise, it's not really his fault.

Best of luck, and let me know if you have additional questions.

--Steve Major