Symptoms of Stem Wall Failure: Flaking Paint
As seen in this photo, flaking paint is very visible in this area of the stem wall. Flaking paint is the first and most underrated stem wall failure symptom since it can be confused by other factors in the environment as over-exposure to sun and heat.
Symptoms of Stem Wall Failure: Horizontal Concrete Cracks - 1
Other common symptoms of stem wall failure are concrete cracks on the stem wall. The direction of the crack can not only tell us there is a stem wall failure, but it also tells us where was the origin of the problem. Horizontal cracks, like the one shown in the picture, tell us that corrosion started at the rebar, which means there is a high probability that the whole rebar will need to get replaced.
Horizontal Concrete Cracks - 2
Here is another example of what a horizontal concrete crack on a stem wall looks like.
Symptoms of Stem Wall Failure: Spalling Concrete
One of the last and worse symptoms of stem wall failure is spalling concrete, as presented in this photograph. In this case, one can tell the problem is more than just spalling concrete since one can even see the rebar from a distance.
Stem Wall Repair Process: Replacing Rebar
After replacing the rebar and cutting all the damaged parts of it, our heroes add a special blue material to help the rebar from getting oxidized in the future.
Stem Wall Repair Process: Micro Piers - 1
Sometimes the problem gets so advanced that the stem wall completely loses the support for the walls, so our heroes need to implement some micro piers to sustain the heavyweight and the stability of the walls.
Stem Wall Repair Process: micro Piers - 2
Here is another angle of the micro piers sustaining the walls down Phoenix, AZ.
Stem Wall Installation Result
As seen in this picture, the stem wall is completely repaired and ready to get some paint. The Homeowners do not have to worry about their stem wall ever again thanks to Arizona Foundation Solutions and our amazing service called NeveRust™.