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Owning a home or a building is considered one of the biggest investments. Quite often, a building foundation may become damaged. Implementing foundation repair often becomes necessary ato prevent further damages and expenses.
Foundation repair can involve installing supports under the building, raising the foundation to its original position, and securing it. Although the foundation repairs can include leveling or foundation leveling, the repaired building may not be able to be completely leveled on completion of the process. Foundation repair is also concerned with performance, restoring functionality to the foundation, and returning the home to it’s originally built condition. Proper care must be given to foundation problems to prevent severe damages from occurring. A foundation repair contractor will come to inspect the foundation to distinguish which method of foundation repair is best. For more information, click “visit our website.”
Several steps have to be taken before applying the several foundation repair methods. These steps include:
1. Plan development
Having a plan is the first step necessary for foundation repairs. Repair contractors often visit buildings that require foundation repairs for a foundation inspection. From this inspection, a basic plan for where the building needs extra support to uphold it and bring it to its original position will be properly drafted. At this time, the inspector will also provide the home or business owner a quote for the necessary services.
2. Support installation
Two main types of support systems are available. Other methods are also present, but they are not commonly used. In engineering, under-building support is generally called underpinning, but it can also be called piers or pilings, depending on the method used for foundation repairs.
Piers or pilings often look like columns which are tall and cylindrical. Stilts are placed underground to hold the building up. The installation of supports involves digging and drilling, then pouring concrete in pier cases. When pilings (pressed pile method) are used, preformed concrete is driven into the ground using hydraulic pressure.
3. Raising the building
After support installation comes the leveling, raising the hollow portions of the building, and verifying if the foundation has returned to its original elevation.
In the pressed pile method, the tension of the pile raises the building. A perfect description for this method is when a battery is put into a device and made to stay in place through a spring application. The spring is synonymous with the ground and the battery’s pressed pile. For the method of the pier, the starting point for raising the building is the support pier. Placed on top of the piers are hydraulic jacks, and the building is lifted into appropriate positions using the jacks.
House Foundation Methods
It’s important for homeowners to be aware of the various types of foundation repair methods that contractors use. This way, when you receive your foundation inspection you can asked informed questions. The five major foundation repair methods include:
1. Slab jacking
The slab jacking method is most suitable for sinking or uneven concrete slabs. Several terms are associated with slab jacking, including mud jacking, concrete lifting, and slab leveling.
Slab jacking can be used to raise porches, stairs, decks, garage floors, and driveways. Foundation repair companies can also use the slab jacking method to elevate concrete foundations. The process is carried out by drilling two holes through the concrete foundations and into the sunken region. Natural components (sand, cement, etc.) fill it in by injecting through the hole. As the solution expands, the falling foundation moves back into position.
2. Piering or piling
Just as the name implies, a steel or concrete pier is used in resettling the foundation. However, there’s a difference between the piering and piling methods of home foundation repairs. While piering involves removing or excavating Earth layers, piling involves driving piles into the ground. Piering and piling provide long-term foundation solutions and return the home’s foundation to its original level. Piering is usually a great option for homes erected on expansive soils. This method is more effective than the slab jacking method.
3. Masonry patches and sealants
The use of waterproof masonry sealants is another way foundation cracks can be repaired and coated. The need to spot repairs and cracks on time cannot be overemphasized as the foundation supports the whole house. Common sealants used for crack repairs include hydraulic cement, vinyl concretes, epoxy, silicone, and polyethylene.
4. Soil modification or stabilization
Soil modification or stabilization involves making the soil more stable and stiffer. In soil modification, certain chemicals are required to fill the holes within the soil. A similar method to soil modification is slab jacking. It should be noted that a higher level of expertise and professionalism is often required to carry out this method and that the cost of maintenance is also high.
5. Underpinning
Underpinning deals with the strengthening and repairing of older foundations. This method involves installing temporary or permanent support to a foundation to afford additional depth and bearing capacity.
Hire a Foundation Repair Contractor You Can Trust!
Foundation problems are often scary and could cause a lot of discomfort and tension but knowing that there is a solution can often help to douse this tension. Detecting foundation issues on time is Paramount in solving them. Foundation repairs can also be called house or foundation leveling, and it helps return the home to its originally built elevation. Foundation repair deals mainly with performance and restoring functionality to the foundation. Three main steps are often required before any foundation repair method can be applied. This step ranges from drawing a development plan, installing supports, and raising the home, which must be carried out. After applying foundation repair steps, a suitable method for foundation repair can then be applied. The five major foundation repair methods are slab jacking, piercing or piling, masonry patches, sealants, soil modification or stabilization, and underpinning.