Got you covered, Rebar coverage in foundation walls.              Chelan Home Inspection Services

So what is to look at in foundation that has just been poured? Well a lot, this is the foundation and everything will be built upon it, so doing this right will go a long ways in how the job will go.

But I wanted to talk about one specific item that came from a recent home inspection. When I was looking at the foundation during a phase inspection I see that there was exposed rebar in the foundation. This is not proper. All rebar in the foundation needs to be covered in concrete.

When I wrote this up the contractor’s response to my client was “It will be covered by backfill”. Umm that is the point the rebar is not to be in contact the earth.(The form wood was another issue, but that was not contested)

So my response to my client was this from the IRC (International Residential Code)

R404.1.2.3.7.4 Support and cover.  (bold and underline is mine)

Reinforcement shall be secured in the proper location in the forms with tie wire or other bar support system to prevent displacement during the concrete placement operation. Steel reinforcement in concrete cast against the earth shall have a minimum cover of 3 inches (75 mm). Minimum cover for reinforcement in concrete cast in removable forms that will be exposed to the earth or weather shall be 1-1/2 inches (38 mm) for No. 5 bars and smaller, and 2 inches (50 mm) for No. 6 bars and larger. For concrete cast in removable forms that will not be exposed to the earth or weather, and for concrete cast in stay-in-place forms, minimum cover shall be 3/4 inch (19 mm). The minus tolerance for cover shall not exceed the smaller of one-third the required cover or 3/8 inch (10 mm).

Having poor coverage of rebar can have several consequences but the point is the contractor should know this.

Hey I am just a lonely home inspector, but it seems that some contractors need a big dose of code training before they are allowed to build you a home.

“If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur.”

Red Adair

NCW Home Inspections, LLC  is a Licensed Washington State Home Inspection service located in Wenatchee Washington serving Chelan County, Douglas County, Kittitas County, Okanogan County and Grant County Washington and the cities of Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Cashmere, Oroville, Cle Elum, East Wenatchee, Quincy and many more…

Your Wenatchee and Chelan Professional Real Estate, Home and Structural Pest Inspection Service

www.ncwhomeinspections.com                                                   509-670-9572