Have you ever wondered why some buildings seem a bit wobbly or show cracks? It’s because they might need foundation repair. Let’s break down what this means in a way that’s easy to understand.
Why Do Buildings Need Foundation Repair?
Imagine a house is like a puzzle, and the foundation is the bottom piece holding everything together. Sometimes, this piece can get a bit shaky, making the whole puzzle unstable. This usually happens because of things like too much pressure from the ground or the building getting heavier.
Problems like the ground moving, the building settling, or cracks appearing might show up, especially if the soil underneath gets too wet.
What Causes Foundation Damage?
Water is a bit of a troublemaker when it comes to buildings. If the soil gets too wet or too dry, it can make the foundation move. Also, if the water doesn’t drain properly or there’s a leak, it can cause trouble. Even big events like earthquakes, floods, or droughts can mess with the foundation, especially if the soil has a lot of clay.
Ways to Fix Foundations:
- Masonry Patches and Sealants:
- Fix cracks with special waterproof materials like hydraulic cement, vinyl concrete, epoxy, silicone, or polyurethane.
- The type of material depends on how bad the cracks are.
- Slab Jacking:
- Lifts uneven concrete slabs back into place.
- Professionals use a solution (either natural or polyurethane) to fill gaps under the slab, making it go back to where it should be.
- Piering or Piling:
- Uses steel or concrete piers to settle the foundation.
- Piering digs into the earth’s layers, while piling involves driving piles into the ground.
- a. Concrete Pilings That Have Been Pressed:
- Sturdy solution for both inside and outside fixes.
- Goes deep into the earth for extra stability.
- b. Concrete Piers That Have Been Poured:
- Poured about 10 feet deep and takes 7 to 10 days to set.
- Takes a bit longer to install compared to pressed concrete pilings.
- c. Concrete Piers That Have Been Belled:
- Has a bell-shaped “foot” at the bottom for more support.
- Built kind of like poured concrete piers.
- d. Piers Made Of Steel:
- Highly recommended for a stable fix that lasts.
- Can go deep, up to 100 feet.
- e. Steel Helical Piers:
- Used for lighter concrete slabs and certain foundation types.
- Takes the weight of the structure and puts it into the strong earth below.
- Soil Modification or Soil Stabilization:
- Makes the soil stronger and more stable by filling holes with special chemicals.
- A bit like slab jacking but needs experts and can cost more.
In Conclusion:
There are different ways to fix foundations, from quick fixes to ones that last a really long time. The best choice depends on things like how the property is, and how much money is available. If you found this info helpful, share it with friends, and check out our Facebook Page and Telegram Channel for more tips!