Testing for Pyrrhotite
If you suspect your foundation may be showing signs of cracking, you should have your foundation tested by a VISUAL test and/or a CORE test.
The only test that can definitively confirm the presence of pyrrhotite is a CORE test.
Information provided by: Connecticut State Department of Housing
Visual Test
A visual test is a licensed professional engineer’s (PE) expert opinion based on education, observation, and prior experience that the foundation’s cracking is due to incompatible materials in the concrete mix. This visual report describes the current condition of the concrete and cannot predict if un-cracked concrete will deteriorate at a later date.
Core Test
A core test determines the presence, or absence, of pyrrhotite and the percent of pyrrhotite that exists in the sample. It requires drilling out a 4 inch diameter cylinder from the concrete which is sent to a lab for analysis. The concrete is plugged after the core sample is removed.