Slab foundation service: Post Tension rod endings rust removal (Katy: how much, house)

[Stromtrooper]

Hi,
I recently bought a 20 year old house in Katy and the slab post tension rod ends are exposed and getting rusty.

Do you have any advice on how to remove rust and what to paint it with?

Should I use a portable sand blaster and then paint over the exposed ends?

Or should I get some rust removal liguid spray like Boeshield rust free spray and then paint over?

Or should I just paint over the existing rust with some "paint over rust spray"



Thanks!

[escanlan]

Originally Posted by Stromtrooper

Hi,
I recently bought a 20 year old house in Katy and the slab post tension rod ends are exposed and getting rusty.

Did you mean to say the Post Tension cable ends?

Do you have any advice on how to remove rust and what to paint it with?

If these are rusting post tension cable ends then you should have these properly checked by a reputable foundation company with access to a reputable foundation Engineer.

Should I use a portable sand blaster and then paint over the exposed ends?

If these are rusting post tension cable ends then no!

Or should I get some rust removal liguid spray like Boeshield rust free spray and then paint over?

If these are rusting post tension cable ends then no!

Or should I just paint over the existing rust with some "paint over rust spray"

If these are rusting post tension cable ends then no!



Thanks!

I have placed some individual answers in blue above. The most important question is did you mean to state that these are rusting post tension cable ends?

If you have rusting PT cable ends then you need to have these checked by a professional and reputable foundation company. I would even go as far to say if they are rusting badly I would speak with a licensed Professional Engineer that has extensive experience with PT slabs. These cables are under a very high tension. A rusting PT cable can potentially last for a very long time. However if the cable rusts bad enough to break free from the PT mounting bracket and clamp the results are unpredictable. Depending on the condition and the amount of tension on it when it breaks free the results could be anything from nothing at all noticeable happening all the way to significant slab damage.

I would expect that you had a home inspection or other inspection before you bought it that reported this condition? Can you provide the exact wording that was used and even a picture if it was in the report? That can help us better understand your situation.

[K'ledgeBldr]

Let's start with-



Let's SEE- then we'll talk!
But, just for a heads up- at 20yrs theres no telling.

[trbstang]

You can actually see them? Ours are all recessed into the slab and covered with mortar, no way we could see it without tearing things up. They should be covered with mortar or cement to prevent them from rusting.

Did a search, found these comments from some inspectors on post tension cables. Looks like you should at least get a foundation expert to look at it. Look at the posts towards the end of this thread:

Post tension slab cable snapped - Topic

Good luck!

[Stromtrooper]

Thanks for the responses, I will post photos soon. Escallan:

Did you mean to say the Post Tension cable ends?

Yes!

If these are rusting post tension cable ends then you should have these properly checked by a reputable foundation company with access to a reputable foundation Engineer.

Do you have any suggestions? Recommendations?

• No painting over with "paint over rust spray",

• No sandblasting,

• No rust removal liguid spray like Boeshield rust free spray,

I wonder what the foundation company is going to do instead of the above...

I guess the critical part is how much rust there is. As I said, I'll be posting photos soon, thanks for all your responses but please PM or respond here some recommended foundation companies.