Foundation problems should not be ignored because they can lead to unstable walls, sagging ceilings, and even leaking water. It is best to call an expert immediately if you see cracks in the wall or floor of your home or building.
There are several repair methods that you can choose from, and each has its own set of pros and cons. Click https://www.sugarlandfoundationrepair.com/ to learn some of the most popular and effective options.
There are many things that can cause foundation problems, from soil shifting and sinking to water damage. Regardless of the source, foundation issues are serious and should always be addressed by professional specialists. There are a few common ways that home foundation repair experts address these concerns, including slab jacking and piering. To determine which method is best for your foundation repair needs, it is important to find a company that is knowledgeable about the different methods of repair.
If your house was built on a concrete slab, it may have begun to sink over time. This is most often caused by soil conditions that were not compacted correctly before the foundation was poured. This type of sinking can lead to severe and expensive structural damage throughout the home, but it is usually easy to fix with slab jacking.
Slab jacking, also known as mudjacking or concrete lifting, involves drilling holes into the sunken slab and filling them with a specialized mixture that lifts the slab back into place. This process is generally less expensive than replacing the concrete slab and is ideal for raising garage floors, driveways, sidewalks, patios, and other sunken concrete surfaces.
The key is to ensure that the company performing slab jacking has the proper licensing, insurance, and certifications. A qualified company will be able to inspect your home and provide an accurate, fair estimate for the work. In addition, the right company will use a concrete mix that is not too thick to prevent the underlying materials from becoming saturated and causing additional settlement. In addition, the company should only drill holes that are spaced 3 to 6 feet apart.
High-Density Polyurethane Foam
A quick, inexpensive alternative to mudjacking, poly foam injection uses high-density foam to lift your slab foundation. Technicians drill small holes in the concrete, insert a nozzle, and pump in the foam under low pressure. Once the foam expands, it lifts your foundation and restores it to its original position. It’s the quickest and least invasive of the methods for lifting your foundation, and it can be used in combination with other repairs.
The polyurethane foam we use in our injections is strong, lightweight, and dense. This allows it to compress the underlying soil through expansion rather than by adding immense weight, which can cause your foundation to sink again. It also requires smaller injection holes than mudjacking, and it can be grouted and covered over after the repair is complete.
Unlike concrete, the foam used in polyjacking is water-resistant and nontoxic. It can be used in places where the soil is wet and muddy, but it can also help stabilize foundations when the ground is dry and firm. This type of foam is ideal for use in interior footings, patios and driveways, or to stabilize a sunken garage floor or sidewalk.
While it can be a great option for many situations, it isn’t the right solution for every home. Depending on your circumstances, you may need a more robust solution like pier support. We recommend contacting a professional contractor to discuss the best solution for your foundation problems. They can provide advice and recommendations based on their years of experience. This will ensure you get a long-lasting, safe and effective repair that’s compatible with your home and budget.
Pier Support
Pier and beam foundations often require additional support as a result of shifting soil. This can cause the building to sink or shift in different places. This may result in sagging floors or the appearance of sticking windows and doors. These symptoms can be corrected by repairing the pier and beam structure. This can be done with the help of helical piers or push piers. This is typically only needed in certain cases, such as when the foundation has already shifted.
The pier and beam foundation also requires proper drainage around the home. The soil can swell up during wet seasons and shrink during dry periods. This can cause the pier to sink and damage the foundation. To prevent this, a drainage system can be installed that includes gutter extensions and a French drain. The soil should be graded so that it slopes away from the foundation.
Another common problem with a pier and beam foundation is moisture decaying the wood piers. This happens as the soil swells up during wet periods and piers can start to decay. To counter this, a drilled bell-bottom pier or concrete piling can be used to add more support. This can be done with minimal disturbance to the house and without disrupting the living space above. The pier can be used to support the entire home or just a section of the foundation.
Concrete Piers
When it comes to repairing pier and beam foundations, concrete piers are one of the most cost-effective solutions available. This is largely because concrete is a durable material that can resist lateral and vertical stresses better than other materials used for foundation repair.
Unlike masonry piers, which are susceptible to mortar deterioration and require frequent repairs, concrete piers are made from a monolithic structure that’s both steel-reinforced and highly resistant to lateral and compressive forces. This makes them a more long-term solution for your sagging pier and beam foundation.
The first step of installing concrete piers is drilling holes into the soil with an auger drill. After the hole is excavated, reinforcing steel is placed in it and then concrete is poured into each pier location. The contractor will wait until the concrete dries before they can continue working. Typically, the concrete takes 7 to 10 days to cure fully. This will delay the time frame of the foundation repair process by a week or more.
Once the concrete has cured, the foundation repair crew will return to raise your home and restore its original elevation. This will be done by placing hydraulic bottle jacks on each pier site and connecting them to a unified hydraulic jacking machine.
This will lift your house and distribute weight evenly across all piers. Once your home is lifted, the foundation repair team will check the piers for uniformity and a level position with a spirit or laser level. If necessary, a reshimming repair can be performed. Reshimming involves adding shims to the foundation in order to adjust for any slight movement or looseness that might be occurring.
Steel Piers
Steel piers can be installed beneath your home to lift and stabilize it. They’re often used in situations where a home’s foundation has begun to sink due to unfavorable soil conditions.
For this reason, it’s essential that you choose a foundation repair company with the right experience and skills. A reputable company will know the local soil conditions and perform thorough soil testing to determine the best foundation repair solution for your needs.
In addition, they’ll use a strong, dual wall steel-pipe to make sure your foundation will be supported in the long run. Additionally, they’ll bury your piers to a depth that will allow them to reach load-bearing bedrock. As a result, this makes them the ideal choice for homes and buildings built on unstable soil.
Unlike concrete piers, steel piers are designed to resist the impact of shifting soil. This is because they’re installed deep into the ground and must be driven to a point that will support your building’s weight. They’re also resistant to the moisture in soil, which can cause other types of piers to shift over time.
The biggest drawback of steel piers is that they require more up-front cost than other pier types. However, this is offset by their durability and longevity. Additionally, these piers don’t require as much maintenance to keep them in good condition. As a result, they offer excellent value for your money and can save you a lot of hassle and expense in the long run.