Apparatus and method to detect foundation movement

1. A system for monitoring the movement of a foundation, comprising:

a receiver disposed on a platform off of the foundation, the platform stable relative to the foundation and comprising a frame of reference; and

an elevation sensor disposed on the foundation and configured to broadcast to the receiver a first signal representing an elevation measurement of the elevation sensor,

wherein the receiver is configured to generate, based on the first signal and the frame of reference, a second signal representing an elevation change of the elevation sensor, relative to the frame of reference.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the receiver includes a transmitter to transmit the second signal to a central station.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the central station is a handheld device.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the handheld device is a smart phone.

5. The system of claim 3 , wherein the handheld device is a tablet.

6. The system of claim 2 , wherein the central station is wirelessly connected to the receiver.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the receiver is wirelessly connected to the elevation sensor.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the elevation sensor is directly mounted on the foundation.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the elevation sensor is mounted at a corner of the foundation.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the elevation sensor is mounted at a side of the foundation.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the elevation sensor is mounted on an interior of the foundation.

12. A method comprising:

placing a receiver on a platform off of a foundation of a building, the platform stable relative to the foundation and comprising a frame of reference;

placing an elevation sensor on the foundation;

broadcasting, from the elevation sensor to the receiver, a first signal representing an elevation measurement of the elevation sensor; and

generating, by the receiver based on the first signal and the frame of reference, a second signal representing an elevation change of the elevation sensor, relative to the frame of reference.

13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising:

transmitting the second signal to a central station.

14. The method of claim 13 , further comprising:

correcting movement of the foundation using the second signal.

15. The method of claim 12 , wherein placing the elevation sensor on the foundation comprises at least one of the group consisting of:

placing the elevation sensor directly on the foundation;

placing the elevation sensor within a wall of the building on the foundation;

placing the elevation sensor at a corner of the foundation;

placing the elevation sensor at a side of the foundation;

placing the elevation sensor on an interior of the foundation.

16. The method of claim 12 , further comprising:

placing the platform outside of the foundation.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein placing the platform comprises driving a pier into bedrock.

18. A method comprising:

receiving, at a receiver, a first signal from an elevation sensor disposed on a foundation of a building,

wherein the receiver is disposed on a platform that comprises a stable frame of reference relative to the foundation,

wherein the first signal comprises an elevation measurement taken by the elevation sensor; and

determining, by the receiver using the first signal and the frame of reference, a change in elevation of the elevation sensor.

19. The method of claim 18 , further comprising:

generating, by the receiver, a second signal comprising the change in elevation; and

transmitting the second signal to a central station.

20. The method of claim 19 , further comprising:

correcting a movement of the foundation that corresponds to the change in elevation.