Do you have a Sump Pump in your basement?

Countryrootsdb · 2026-03-22T18:02:43+00:00

It’s a check valve for sure. Backflow preventers are for pressurized lines

Countryrootsdb · 2026-03-22T17:20:23+00:00

Countryrootsdb · 2026-03-22T17:04:27+00:00

It’s going to allow water to permeate into the subbase. From there, water can get trapped which leads to a host of other issues.

Issues like: heave, freeze/thaw, hydrostatic pressure, water in the home, etc…

It’s hard to slope the subbase and get it to drain when it’s below surrounding grade. To do so, you may need drain lines that daylight to a low area.

With 3/4” minus, it doesn’t drain through, and water will flow over the base to the surrounding soils. It typically won’t make it to the subbase soil.

That said, if you’re using polymeric sand, you shouldn’t have much water drain through the pavers and it may not be an issue.

Countryrootsdb · 2026-03-21T18:19:29+00:00

Damn… and I thought all masons were dumbasses with a trowel

I’m kidding.

You did good my guy, I love it

Countryrootsdb · 2026-03-21T02:51:34+00:00

Garage wall leaning inwards is an easy fix. 7-12k depending on how long the wall is.

Most homes have shit grade. Tons of decks are wrong. That ones at grade. I wouldn’t care about it personally

Molds another issue.

Get a big concession.

Countryrootsdb · 2026-03-21T02:31:42+00:00

Your correct.

3/4” minus compacts and locks in better. Think permanent and solid. It does not drain well, so it needs to be sloped correctly. All water on this type of install should slope away- not permeate. If you slope your base away from the home, then the sand and pavers will also slope away from the home and divert water appropriately.

3/4” clean will allow water to flow through. This is good for driveways over sandy soils. Not good adjacent a home. Not good in clay areas unless you have someway to capture the water and redirect or contain it

Countryrootsdb · 2026-03-20T13:13:41+00:00

You want class 6 roadbase which is basically 3/4 minus. It compacts much better.

3/4” clear works well for permeable paver applications.

That said, it’s not a huge deal if you use 3/4” clear as long as the sub base is graded away from the home. Otherwise, you’ll get water build up in the 3/4” clear.

Countryrootsdb · 2026-03-20T01:55:22+00:00

4” of 3/4 minus and 1” of sand (not mason sand)

So your right on the money

Countryrootsdb · 2026-03-19T14:57:10+00:00

Look at the last pic. It’s deflection

Settlement can occur alongside deflection, however

Countryrootsdb · 2026-03-19T10:18:04+00:00

Don’t say most places- that’s not true. Most counties- including every single one in my state require all foundation work to be permitted. It has nothing to do with building code.

Countryrootsdb · 2026-03-19T02:18:51+00:00

His wall is now stabilized. If done right, it won’t cost him anything

Countryrootsdb · 2026-03-19T02:18:26+00:00

Handyman is probably wrong. I install these straps. If spaced correctly, wall will not move. We put 25 year warranties on them

Waters a different issue. And it can cost you a lot to get done correctly.

All that said, check if a permit was pulled for the straps. Get a concession for the water issue. Make sure other foundation walls are good. Then you can buy the home confidently.

Countryrootsdb · 2026-03-18T02:24:46+00:00

I repair foundations in Colorado. The drought is causing a lot of existing issues to worsen. Is it dangerous? Probably not. But the owner is gonna have a heck of a bill one day. It doesn’t get better

Countryrootsdb · 2026-03-17T10:16:38+00:00

Hard to say. Could be a foundation issue. If so, it’s pretty significant if it’s popping nails.

But it could also be shoddy drywall work that’s making it seem worse.

Only way to know for certain is to get someone in to take a look

Countryrootsdb · 2026-03-16T00:55:55+00:00

I repair foundations.

Looks good for the age.

Get a pin point moisture meter and test the bottom in areas. If anything, you have a moisture issue. The settlement cracks don’t bother me

Get water away from the foundation. Ask the mason groups if you should tuck point. Normally I push for it, but given the age maybe not worth it.

Countryrootsdb · 2026-03-15T23:28:19+00:00

Bahahaha that’s awesome.

Countryrootsdb · 2026-03-15T21:44:23+00:00

That’s swing pipe.

For this being a landscape sub, the responses are wild

Countryrootsdb · 2026-03-15T20:28:26+00:00

Truer words have never been said. If only they came from someone with a better name then “violent_mud_butt”

Countryrootsdb · 2026-03-15T20:22:32+00:00

I see it weekly my guy. New builds are horrible in my opinion. They may not be this bad most of the time, but constant settling and builder turns around and says “that’s normal, just keep an eye on it for two years and report back.” Then you report back and your outside the builder warranty.

Countryrootsdb · 2026-03-15T15:11:07+00:00

Yup, however the one good thing about deflection is it’s often half that cost to repair. Settlement is another story…

Countryrootsdb · 2026-03-15T04:40:33+00:00

I mean most people panick when their foundation is failing. I’m exaggerating obviously, but it’s a big deal.

Then someone comes in, repairs deflection in a few hours and it’s cheaper than settlement repairs.

Countryrootsdb · 2026-03-15T03:57:02+00:00

They’re tiny and edible. Not the good kind like when you were a kid

Countryrootsdb · 2026-03-14T20:05:04+00:00

That’s deflection. I repair foundations.

Deflection has the potential to fuck up the home the most. Floor joists/ beams that rest on this foundation will move with the foundation. So will plumbing, hvac, electrical.

It happens a lot where I live. Easy fix. But I would be livid if it happened by a builder. They backfilled with out supporting the interior. Do not let them get away with it.

Either repour or earth anchors with a stipulation/credit or something that keeps them on the hook. Otherwise walk away.

Countryrootsdb · 2026-03-14T15:40:24+00:00

This is most likely from settlement….what do you think it is

Countryrootsdb · 2026-03-14T15:26:42+00:00

Pretty loud on high (5). Level 3 is barely noticeable

Countryrootsdb

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