Sometimes, filling cracks or installing a concrete slab aren’t enough to stop foundation movement. It’s important to address the issue sooner rather than later to avoid more severe problems and repairs down the road.
Understanding the process is a great way to ease worries, set expectations and see a light at the end of the tunnel. This article will walk through a full house foundation repair lift to help you understand what it involves. Click Here to learn more.
If your foundation is sinking in one part of your home, then a spot pier can be used to lift that section back up to its original elevation. The first step in the process is to dig a hole alongside your foundation, then place the pier on its bracket and drive it into the soil. The next step is to fill the excavation site with concrete. This process can take a few days or longer. Once the concrete is cured, the team will return to use hydraulic bottle jacks to raise the sections of your home.
When a pier gets damaged, it can affect the entire area it is covering and this can lead to cracks in your walls and floors. It can also make it difficult to open and close windows and doors. To help prevent these issues, a pier repair contractor can install a drain tile system around your foundation that will redirect water away from your house. This will stop the water from soaking into your foundation and damaging it over time.
Drilled bell-bottom piers are another type of pier that is often used in foundation repair. These piers use friction to hold the weight of your home and they can be installed either outside or inside your house. To install these piers, the repair crew will have to dig 2-foot by 2-foot holes at each pier location. This can take a while since the crew must excavate the soil to expose the footing.
These types of piers can be prone to settling and they can also lose their friction with the soil if it becomes too wet or dry. When this happens, they can become unstable and even break off from the bottom of your foundation.
This type of pier requires more maintenance because it needs to be lifted on occasion and the concrete needs to be inspected for cracks and other damage. This can be a hassle for some homeowners and it can be expensive to maintain.
Helical piers are the most expensive type of pier, but they are also the most effective in terms of stabilizing your foundation. They are created using helical plates and they can be driven into the ground so that they reach bedrock or other solid material underneath your foundation. This is much more effective than simply adding concrete underneath a sinking section of your foundation because it can actually raise up your entire foundation.
Segmented Piers
Piers are a great option for repairing damage caused by heavy loads and soil conditions. When correctly assessed and installed by professionals, they can support the load, counteract pressure from soil and rocks, minimize differential settlement, and protect against future damage to foundations. Depending on the type of repair needed, piers may be installed by driving them into the ground or using helical piers that are screwed into place.
Before beginning any project, a foundation expert must perform a thorough inspection of the affected areas to determine the underlying cause of the damage and recommend the right repair method. This assessment includes visual inspections, laser levels, and soil tests. The results of the soil test will provide valuable information, including soil types, load-bearing capacities, and the amount of load placed on the foundation at various points. This information is necessary to calculate how many piers are required and the best pier placement locations for maximum efficiency.
When choosing a foundation contractor, look for one with a long track record of successfully completed projects. Ask about their experience and whether they have specialized training and certifications in foundation repairs and pier installation.
The first step in any successful foundation repair is obtaining a detailed soil report from a geotechnical engineer. This report will detail the soil conditions and explain the root causes of your foundation damage. It will also give a recommendation for the most effective repair method, based on your needs and budget.
There are several different types of piers that can be used in foundation repair, including concrete piers and steel push piers. Each pier type has its own advantages and applications, based on soil conditions and load requirements. Concrete piers are a low-cost option for foundation repair. However, they can sink with time in poorly compacted soils, and they don’t typically reach a load-bearing stratum, so they are a temporary solution at best.
Unlike other foundation repair methods, which can require extensive excavation, steel piers are inserted into the ground through small holes. This minimally invasive process is less disruptive to your home and yard. Additionally, steel piers are more reliable than concrete piers and can often come with a lifetime warranty. However, some contractors find loopholes to avoid honoring their warranties, so it’s important to choose a trusted company.
High-Density Polyurethane Foam
High-density polyurethane foam injection, sometimes referred to as “foam jacking,” is a minimally invasive method for lifting and leveling concrete slabs. It’s a fast and efficient alternative to other repair methods that can take weeks to complete. It also requires less equipment than traditional mud jacking, which saves time and money.
The injected foam expands to fill voids and lift the slab. It is also impervious to water, which prevents future sinking caused by moisture infiltration. It also has excellent compressive strength, making it suitable for heavy loads. The injected material is also durable, and it can support structurally-important areas of your home or business.
Injection with PolyRenewal is also very quick and easy, allowing it to be performed in a fraction of the time required for other concrete raising techniques. It can be performed while your slab is in use, so you don’t have to disrupt your day-to-day activities. It also cures quickly, so you can start using your concrete surface again almost immediately.
For a typical concrete raising project, the contractor will drill a series of small holes (around half an inch in diameter or about the size of a penny). They then insert a row of nozzles into the holes and begin injecting. The nozzles are monitored until the concrete slab rises to the desired height. Once the concrete is at its correct elevation, the holes are filled in and patched.
Because the injected polyurethane is so lightweight, it places far less burden on the soil beneath your foundation than other concrete lifting methods. This helps preserve the integrity of the soils around your home or business. Additionally, the polyurethane is completely inorganic and not sensitive to water, which means it won’t wash away in heavy rain like mud can.
The best part about using polyurethane to lift your slab is that it’s nearly invisible once the process is completed. The drilled holes are very small and can be covered with concrete or patched, if you choose. For this reason, it’s a great option for commercial properties where maintaining the aesthetic of your property is important.
Steel Piers
Steel piers are one of the strongest stabilization methods available for foundation repair. They are used when the soil beneath a building is unstable, and they can be driven into load-bearing bedrock to offer stable support. If you’re interested in learning more about this option, speak with a professional.
A reputable foundation repair company will recommend the right type of steel piers for your situation, and they’ll also provide recommendations regarding other potential repairs to stabilize your home or business for the long term. This includes assessing the level of damage and the extent of shifts, cracks, and movement that your structure has experienced.
Unlike concrete piers, which require significant excavation to install, steel push piers can be installed with minimal disruption to the surface of your property. This means that your family can stay in your home during the repair process. The installation process begins with the creation of temporary brackets that will hold the weight of your structure while the piers are driven into place. Once the piers are in place, they’re topped with an anchor plate and the installation holes are filled.
This method is often preferred by homeowners because it doesn’t require the drilling of large holes in your home’s slab. Instead, the contractor will create a series of small holes with either a manual hand tool or a smaller variation of an auger drill. This is much less labor-intensive than concrete piers, and it can significantly reduce the amount of time that your home is in disrepair.
In addition, steel piers can be topped with an anchor plate that can help to further reinforce your foundation’s integrity and prevent future shifting. This can be a vital step if your foundation has suffered extensive damage and is in danger of further deteriorating.
Another benefit of using a steel pier is that it can be load-tested during the repair process to ensure that it has reached the point of refusal, or that it has a sufficient capacity to support your structure. This is a valuable benefit because it gives you peace of mind that your steel piers are fully capable of providing the necessary support for your home or business.