(VERNON, Connecticut) – A free program that tests foundations for the presence of the mineral pyrrhotite has been extended through February 28th, 2023 and is available to qualifying residents of Vernon, Ellington and Stafford.
The Regional Crumbling Foundations Testing Program covers the cost of testing a foundation for the presence of pyrrhotite, which when exposed to water and air causes the expansion and deterioration of surrounding concrete and can cause structures such as home foundations to fail.
As many as 34,000 homes constructed in northeastern Connecticut between 1983 and 2000 may have concrete foundations containing pyrrhotite and are at risk of cracking or crumbling. The testing program covers the $3,500 cost to test the concrete in a foundation for the presence of pyrrhotite.
“Testing can confirm that you have a problem and allow you to begin the process of correcting it,” Vernon Mayor Dan Champagne said. “It can also confirm that you do not have a problem and give you both peace of mind and an official determination that your foundation is not affected by pyrrhotite.”
Under the testing program, homeowners receive comprehensive visual and core testing of the foundation and a written report about the results.
Funding for the program comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and is administered through the state Department of Housing through the Small Cities Community Development Block Grant program. The funding is available as a public service program which requires that 51 percent of the participants be low to moderate income households. A household of four people must have an income of less than $89,400. The income for a three-person household must be less than $80,500, and for a two-person
household it must be less than $71,550. The figure is $62,600 for a single person household.
Households that exceed that income limit can also apply, but can only represent 49 percent of the program’s participants. Vernon currently has a number of such households waiting to receive testing because more low-moderate income households are needed to apply.
“People who are thinking about selling their home are going to have to have their foundation tested and this program is an opportunity to have the grant cover that cost,” said Matt Hellman, Vernon’s Director of Social Services. “Obtaining a negative test result will give you the comfort of knowing this is not an issue you need to worry about and will give you the official determination you can pass on to a person buying your home. With funds only guaranteed through next February, people who want testing should contact us immediately.”
More information about the testing program and an application form can be found by visiting
Information about replacing a foundation with pyrrhotite can be found by visiting the Connecticut Foundation Solutions Indemnity Company, Inc., (CFSIC) at www.crumblingfoundations.org. In order to qualify for assistance from the CFSIC, you must first have your foundation tested.