MORE LOCATIONSDiscover the ultimate resource for foundation repair methods – DIY fixes to professional solutions
While a solid foundation is essential for a building’s structural integrity, occasional foundational problems are not uncommon. Addressing a settling foundation is essential for your home’s structural well-being. However, the appropriate foundation repair method depends on various factors, such as the foundational issue, the soil composition, and the type of foundation requiring support. This article highlights different foundation repair methods to help you choose the one that is right for you.
Helical Piers
- Helical piers offer a durable foundation repair approach. They are made of galvanized steel. These are steel posts equipped with a helically-shaped leading point resembling a screw or auger. Large machinery is utilized to turn and drive these piers into the ground, gradually pulling them deeper below the surface.
They are ideal for supporting substantial home and foundation weight. Helical piers eliminate the necessity of reaching bedrock. They are drilled into the ground until they reach dense, compact soil capable of providing ample support. Once securely in place, they are permanently attached to the house, ensuring an effective and lasting foundation repair solution.
Poured Concrete Piers
- Poured concrete piers offer a suitable option for a cost-effective foundation repair solution. This method involves excavating a large hole beneath the foundation, filling it with wet concrete, and allowing it to cure before attaching it to the home.
Poured concrete piers prove beneficial in various soil conditions. They adopt either a cylindrical shape or incorporate a bell shape at the bottom to enhance support.
Concrete Pressed Piling
- Concrete-pressed piling is a widely employed foundation repair technique that offers an effective solution for stabilizing foundations. This relatively simple process involves the strategic placement of concrete cylinders, also known as concrete piles, below the foundation. Concrete cylinders 6″ in diameter and 12″ in height are driven into the soil beneath the foundation.
Factors such as the structure’s weight and the soil’s condition determine the piles required. However, professional contractors usually use a string of eight or more concrete piles to ensure sufficient stabilization. This is done to drive the piles deep into contact with the soil to ensure the structure’s stability. Pressed piling is one of the trusted and popular methods for addressing various foundational issues. It allows homeowners to achieve a stable foundation and ensure the long-term structural integrity of their homes.
Slab Jacking
- If your home is built on a concrete slab and displays signs of unevenness or cracking due to soil erosion, slab jacking could provide a solution. It is an effective technique used to lift uneven or sinking concrete. Slab jacking is suitable for small-scale projects such as decks, walkways, porches, garage floors, etc. Also known as concrete lifting, mud jacking, and slab leveling, this method effectively raises concrete surfaces to their appropriate levels. This process involves drilling holes in the existing slab and injecting either a concrete slurry or dense polyurethane foam underneath the compromised section.
Slab jacking offers a permanent solution when the home’s slab foundation is on adequately compacted soil. It may require multiple applications over time as soil erosion or settling persists. However, professional foundation contractors have the expertise and equipment to address foundation settlement issues based on local soil characteristics. For slab jacking, 2-inch holes are drilled through the concrete foundation to reach the sunken areas below. Then, a solution of cement and soil is injected through the holes to fill the space. The sunken slab gradually rises to its original level as the solution expands, solving the issue.
Sealants And Masonry Patches
- One effective method for repairing cracks in the foundation involves using sealants and masonry patches. This method helps patch the cracks and apply a waterproof masonry sealer to ensure long-lasting protection. However, promptly addressing these cracks is crucial as the foundation bears the weight of the entire home.
Hydraulic cement, vinyl concrete, epoxies, silicone, or polyurethane are commonly used sealers for minor cracks. The sealer type depends on the severity and the specific requirements of the crack. Nevertheless, early detection and prompt repairs prevent water seepage and further damage in every situation.
Shimming
- In some instances, new homes are constructed on ground that may not have been adequately compacted before foundation installation. Consequently, the soil shifts or erodes, creating gaps between the foundation and the rest of the home’s structure.
Whether indicative of larger issues or not, an inspection by a foundation expert may determine that filling these gaps with steel shims can effectively restore proper support. Shims can serve as a lasting solution if the soil settles and stabilizes beneath the home. However, if gaps reappear, a more comprehensive repair may be necessary.
Steel Piers Installation
In many cases, installing steel piers beneath your home is the most effective long-term strategy for stabilizing the foundation. However, it is the more expensive option. In this repair method, galvanized steel posts are securely driven deep into the ground beneath the foundation. This is done with the help of a hydraulic torque motor, which propels the piers into the ground until they reach the soil with adequate stability.
In many cases, installing steel piers beneath your home is the most effective long-term strategy for stabilizing the foundation. However, it is the more expensive option. In this repair method, galvanized steel posts are securely driven deep into the ground beneath the foundation. This is done with the help of a Once in position, hydraulic jacks lift the foundation to its optimal elevation. These piers reach bedrock or sufficiently compact soil, ensuring reliable support. They can bear significant weight, are versatile, and are suitable for nearly any upper soil condition. Moreover, steel piers are recognized as a lasting and permanent solution for foundation stability.
If you notice cracks in your concrete basement floor and require professional help, call us at (877) 727-2259. Our experts at Crack-X will inspect your property and take the necessary measures to repair your foundation. Crack-X is a civil structures repair company operating in Maine and New Hampshire.