Flaking paint reveals rusting stemwall - south side run
What you're seeing: Flaking/peeling paint along the base where the parge/stucco has lifted, exposing rough, moisture‑affected concrete on the stem wall; trench opened for inspection. Why it matters: Flaking paint at the base is an early warning of rebar corrosion-rusting steel expands and pushes from the inside out, cracking and spalling the stem wall if left untreated. To learn more: https://www.foundationrepairsaz.com/about-us/our-blog/48293-understanding-and-repairing-stem-wall-cracks-in-arizona-a-comprehensive-guide.html https://youtu.be/mF-bjX_lWw0?si=xQ63ymo7dljLAx7G
Front elevation: landscaping & irrigation - stem wall foundation warning
What you're seeing: Dense planting beds and active irrigation hug the exterior wall, and overspray keeps the base wet; the long band of flaked/missing parge shows where moisture has stressed the stem wall foundation. Homeowners often ask "what is a stem wall?" and "what is a stem wall foundation?"-it's the concrete beam at grade that supports exterior walls; here, prolonged wetting has weakened the stemwall coating and invited corrosion. Why it matters: Because that moisture never gets a chance to evaporate, internal steel begins to rust; as it expands, it pushes outward, peeling paint and spalling concrete from the inside out. Pull plants and drip emitters back from the wall, add splash control, and maintain positive slope to keep the base dry and extend the life of the repair. To learn more: https://www.foundationrepairsaz.com/about-us/our-blog/48293-understanding-and-repairing-stem-wall-cracks-in-arizona-a-comprehensive-guide.html https://youtu.be/mF-bjX_lWw0?si=xQ63ymo7dljLAx7G
Front entry corner - spalling concrete at stem wall foundation
What you're seeing: At the front entry corner, the base coat has flaked away and the concrete face is spalling-small chunks breaking off the stem wall along the paint line and return. If you've wondered what is a stem wall? or what is a stem wall foundation?, this damaged band is the visible face of that support at grade and here it shows moisture‑driven distress. Why it matters: Spalling isn't just cosmetic; it's a warning that internal steel is expanding and destroying the stemwall from the inside out. In situations like this, the rebar typically needs full replacement with non‑corroding reinforcement to restore strength and prevent the cracks from reopening. To learn more: https://www.foundationrepairsaz.com/about-us/our-blog/48293-understanding-and-repairing-stem-wall-cracks-in-arizona-a-comprehensive-guide.html https://youtu.be/mF-bjX_lWw0?si=xQ63ymo7dljLAx7G
Front SW corner - hose leaks & settlement - stem wall foundation
What you're seeing: A garden hose and dense shrubs sit against the wall; the base shows flaked parge and fresh spalls where moisture has soaked the stem wall foundation. Homeowners often ask what is a stem wall? and what is a stem wall foundation?-it's the concrete beam at grade that supports exterior walls; when leaks keep it wet, the stemwall surface begins to fail. Why it matters: Even small hose leaks slowly saturate soil, causing differential settlement so foundations can sink, while trapped moisture oxidizes the internal steel. Expanding rust then pushes outward, cracking, spalling, and peeling the concrete from the inside out. Fix leaks, pull irrigation back, improve drainage, and then repair/reinforce to stop the cycle. To learn more: https://www.foundationrepairsaz.com/about-us/our-blog/48293-understanding-and-repairing-stem-wall-cracks-in-arizona-a-comprehensive-guide.html https://youtu.be/mF-bjX_lWw0?si=xQ63ymo7dljLAx7G
A/C side yard - horizontal crack in stem wall foundation
What you're seeing: A narrow side yard by the A/C condenser with a long, horizontal crack tracking along the base coat of the stem wall foundation-parallel to grade and continuous through the corner; light flaking is visible on the stemwall surface. Why it matters: Horizontal cracking like this points to corrosion and expansion of the embedded rebar, not to tie‑down strap distress, which is usually localized and more vertical near anchor points. If you're asking what is a stem wall? or what is a stem wall foundation?, it's the concrete beam at grade that carries the wall; when the steel inside rusts, it pushes outward and splits the concrete from the inside out. Here, replacing the affected rebar with non‑corroding reinforcement and addressing condensation from nearby utilities stops the cycle. To learn more: https://www.foundationrepairsaz.com/about-us/our-blog/48293-understanding-and-repairing-stem-wall-cracks-in-arizona-a-comprehensive-guide.html https://youtu.be/mF-bjX_lWw0?si=xQ63ymo7dljLAx7G
Slab corner - vertical cracks at tie‑down straps - stem wall foundation
What you're seeing: Vertical cracks rising from the base at the corner post, lining up with the tie‑down straps inside the stem wall foundation; you can still see the new/old slab seam and the hose crossing nearby. Why it matters: Vertical cracking like this usually starts at corroding tie‑down hardware; as rust grows, it spreads into adjacent rebar and along the stemwall, turning small splits into wider spalls. If you've wondered what is a stem wall? or what is a stem wall foundation?, it's the concrete beam at grade-when the anchors and steel inside rust, the safest fix is to replace the affected steel with non‑corroding reinforcement and improve drainage to stop repeat damage. To learn more: https://www.foundationrepairsaz.com/about-us/our-blog/48293-understanding-and-repairing-stem-wall-cracks-in-arizona-a-comprehensive-guide.html https://youtu.be/mF-bjX_lWw0?si=xQ63ymo7dljLAx7G
Patio corner - stair‑step crack from stem wall foundation
What you're seeing: At the patio walkway and vent, a stair‑step crack climbs up from the base of the stem wall foundation where old and new slabs meet. If you've wondered what is a stem wall?, it's the concrete beam at grade; here, prolonged moisture and slab movement stressed the stemwall, and that damage is telegraphing upward as a classic masonry stair‑step pattern. Why it matters: It answers the "what is a stem wall foundation?" question the hard way-when base corrosion and movement go untreated, problems don't stay in the stem wall; they spread into walls and finishes, widen cracks, and raise repair costs. Early repair stops the chain reaction. To learn more: https://www.foundationrepairsaz.com/about-us/our-blog/48293-understanding-and-repairing-stem-wall-cracks-in-arizona-a-comprehensive-guide.html https://youtu.be/mF-bjX_lWw0?si=xQ63ymo7dljLAx7G
Inside corner - clay soil movement - stem wall foundation
What you're seeing: Heat‑dried clay has shrunk and cracked at the base of the stem wall foundation, and at the inside corner you can see a long, horizontal split. If you've wondered what is a stem wall? or what is a stem wall foundation?, it's the concrete beam at grade that supports the exterior walls; as the clay rehydrates and swells, it pushes against the stemwall, stressing the wall and opening cracks. Why it matters: Expansive clay cycles-shrinking when dry and swelling when wet-create lateral pressure and settlement that open horizontal cracks and spread damage. Manage moisture with grading, gutters, and smart irrigation, then repair/reinforce the wall to stop repeat movement. To learn more: https://www.foundationrepairsaz.com/about-us/our-blog/48293-understanding-and-repairing-stem-wall-cracks-in-arizona-a-comprehensive-guide.html https://youtu.be/mF-bjX_lWw0?si=xQ63ymo7dljLAx7G
North wall trench - exposing the stem wall foundation
What you're seeing: We removed all damaged parge and loose concrete to open a clean trench tight to the footing. This exposes the main components of the stem wall foundation-the concrete beam and embedded steel-so we can assess the dark horizontal cavity where corroded rebar sat and prepare for replacement. Homeowners often ask what is a stem wall? and what is a stem wall foundation? Here, you can see the stemwall laid bare so the failing material can be cut out and rebuilt with durable, non‑corroding reinforcement. Why it matters: By stripping back to sound concrete, we stop chasing surface cracks and get to the source-oxidized steel. This full‑depth prep ensures new reinforcing bonds properly, prevents hidden rust from reopening cracks, and sets the stage for a long‑lasting repair. To learn more: https://www.foundationrepairsaz.com/about-us/our-blog/48293-understanding-and-repairing-stem-wall-cracks-in-arizona-a-comprehensive-guide.html https://youtu.be/mF-bjX_lWw0?si=xQ63ymo7dljLAx7G
Flaking paint exposes two rusted rebars - stem wall foundation
What you're seeing: Flaking/peeling paint along the base where the parge/stucco lifted; after trenching and prep, we exposed the stemwall and found two longitudinal rebars heavily corroded. If you've wondered what is a stem wall? or what is a stem wall foundation?, it's the concrete beam at grade that supports exterior walls-here, its face shows moisture distress that led us to the steel. Why it matters: Rusting steel expands and fractures concrete from the inside out. In this section, both bars required full removal and replacement with non‑corroding reinforcement to stop the cycle and protect the stem wall foundation. To learn more: https://www.foundationrepairsaz.com/about-us/our-blog/48293-understanding-and-repairing-stem-wall-cracks-in-arizona-a-comprehensive-guide.html https://youtu.be/mF-bjX_lWw0?si=xQ63ymo7dljLAx7G
Corner prep - blue protective epoxy on stemwall reinforcement
What you're seeing: After removing the rusted steel, we installed new reinforcement and then applied a blue, corrosion‑resistant epoxy to encapsulate it inside a horizontal chase. Those light‑blue elements you see are bonded in place and sealed so the stemwall stays dry. If you've wondered what is a stem wall? or what is a stem wall foundation?, it's the concrete beam at grade that supports exterior walls; sealing the reinforcement helps protect the stem wall foundation from re‑rusting. Why it matters: Encapsulation isolates the steel/composite from moisture and salts, dramatically reducing future corrosion and corner cracking while locking the repair together for long‑term performance. To learn more: https://www.foundationrepairsaz.com/about-us/our-blog/48293-understanding-and-repairing-stem-wall-cracks-in-arizona-a-comprehensive-guide.html https://youtu.be/mF-bjX_lWw0?si=xQ63ymo7dljLAx7G
Rebar replaced, then rust inhibitor - stem wall foundation
What you're seeing: The rebar inside the stemwall has been fully replaced, and the setup you see (ports and hoses) is ready for applying a blue, corrosion‑resistant rust inhibitor that encapsulates the steel. If you've wondered what is a stem wall? or what is a stem wall foundation?, it's the concrete beam at grade that supports exterior walls-here we've completed the structural swap and are preparing the protective coat on the stem wall foundation. Why it matters: Replacement stops active rust, and the inhibitor seals out moisture and salts, helping prevent re‑rusting and future cracking. This two‑step approach stabilizes the wall and extends the life of the repair. To learn more: https://www.foundationrepairsaz.com/about-us/our-blog/48293-understanding-and-repairing-stem-wall-cracks-in-arizona-a-comprehensive-guide.html https://youtu.be/mF-bjX_lWw0?si=xQ63ymo7dljLAx7G
Plastic sheeting protects landscape - stem wall foundation
What you're seeing: We lay plastic sheeting around the work area to protect grass, gravel, and walkways while we demo and rebuild the stem wall foundation. If you've wondered what is a stem wall? or what is a stem wall foundation?, it's the concrete beam at grade that supports exterior walls; contained work keeps debris, dust, and slurry off your yard as we restore the stemwall. Why it matters: Every home is different, so clean containment prevents mixing soil, rock, and landscaping with repair materials, reduces cleanup, and protects finishes-so the only thing we leave behind is a properly repaired foundation. To learn more: https://www.foundationrepairsaz.com/about-us/our-blog/48293-understanding-and-repairing-stem-wall-cracks-in-arizona-a-comprehensive-guide.html https://youtu.be/mF-bjX_lWw0?si=xQ63ymo7dljLAx7G
Finished repair - cured concrete - stem wall foundation
What you're seeing: The stem wall has been fully rebuilt: corroded steel removed, reinforcement replaced with better, non‑corroding components, and fresh repair concrete placed, finished, and now cured. If you've wondered what is a stem wall? or what is a stem wall foundation?, this final view shows the stemwall restored; the stem wall foundation is uniform and ready to support the structure. Why it matters: With new reinforcement protected and the concrete fully cured, the wall regains structural capacity, resists moisture intrusion, and helps prevent cracks and spalls from returning. To learn more: https://www.foundationrepairsaz.com/about-us/our-blog/48293-understanding-and-repairing-stem-wall-cracks-in-arizona-a-comprehensive-guide.html https://youtu.be/mF-bjX_lWw0?si=xQ63ymo7dljLAx7G