CYPRESS : Report Due Soon on Foundation Flaws

Engineering scientists at Cal State Long Beach are expected to issue a report soon detailing what has caused the concrete foundations in at least a dozen homes to deteriorate and crack, city officials announced.

Since May, 1986, 12 homeowners have had to repair their foundations as a result of the mysterious cracks, said Tony Elmo of the city’s Building Department. The most recent repair was needed in January.

Initial investigations revealed a high level of sulfates in the soil. Officials speculate that the sulfates could cause an adverse reaction when they come in contact with the concrete. This would explain why the affected areas have mostly been garages, which are usually not protected by plastic moisture barriers, officials said.

“The most problems we’ve seen are in garage areas because the concrete is poured on unprotected soil,” Elmo said. Because Cypress was once populated by dairy farmers, a concern about peat from pastures also was raised. However, Elmo said, they believe that peat is only a small part of the problem.

The affected homes are concentrated in a few neighborhoods north of Orange Avenue, south of Lincoln Avenue and between Denni and Bloomfield streets. Most of the homes were built between 1966 and 1971. Depending on the extent of the damage, costs for replacing the concrete slabs has run anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000, Elmo said.

The report is scheduled to be made public in late April or May.