When the foundation of your home needs repairs, you need a contractor that will provide lasting repairs. They should have the right equipment and expertise to identify problems, dig and install the supports underground, raise the recessed portions of the house, and then tamp the dirt back down and patch any remaining holes.
Compared to other methods of repair, this one is more cost-effective and less labor-intensive. The installation process begins by digging small holes under the foundation. Then, a hydraulic tool is used to press 12-inch precast concrete cylinders into the holes. The hydraulic device continues pushing until the first pier is lodged into a stable sub-strata. Once the ports are installed, they can be loaded immediately, unlike other methods that require curing. Visit Website to learn more.
The primary benefit of this method is its durability. Steel is a resilient material that resists soil movement better than other types of piers. Moreover, steel piers are typically driven deeper into the ground than concrete piers, making them a superior choice for regions prone to seismic activity or unstable soils. This depth makes them resistant to shifts in the soil, extending their lifespan and providing a longer-lasting solution for your foundation.
While concrete piers are typically hammered down through the grade beam to the underlying soil, steel piers drive directly into bedrock. This eliminates the need for a grade beam, which saves time and money while reducing the likelihood of leaks caused by the gap between the slab and the grade beam. This system also has a lower installation cost than the drilled concrete option because it uses fewer masons.
However, this solution has its downsides. Steel piers can be vulnerable to corrosion if not properly maintained. They also have a higher upfront price tag, due to their expensive manufacturing and specialized equipment for installation. Furthermore, the installation process can be complex, resulting in a longer construction timeline. Nevertheless, these disadvantages can be offset by the significant benefits that this method offers. For homeowners, these perks make it worth the investment.
Concrete Pile
The concrete pile method is a foundation repair technique that utilizes a series of concrete cylinders pushed into the ground. It is often used for heavy-duty structures that require a deep, strong foundation such as airports, stadiums and highway bridges. The process works similarly to steel piling but with the added benefit of greater durability and a higher tensile strength than steel can offer.
Concrete piles are typically made of reinforced concrete but may also be made out of steel and timber. They are inserted into the ground using hydraulic rams, similar to the way that steel piers work. However, unlike steel piers, the concrete piles are not welded together but instead pressed into place as a single unit by using an immense amount of hydraulic pressure.
Unlike other forms of piles, concrete piles are not capped by a casing to prevent them from being damaged during excavation and installation. While this can save on cost, it means that piles are exposed to the subsoil pressure and movements during construction which could damage the structure or create heave or swelling in the surrounding soil.
Because of this, it is essential that foundation contractors are properly trained in the use of these piles and that they know how to install them correctly in order to ensure long-term support. Unfortunately, many contractors do not use proper installation techniques and have no experience in the long-term performance of concrete pressed piles.
Another issue is that piles rely on PSI (pounds per square inch) to determine load bearing capacity. While this is an important factor in the design, it only gives a very limited view of the piles potential and should not be used as a substitute for testing and inspection. Additionally, piles are rarely installed with a gauge to determine the point at which they reach bedrock or competent load-bearing stratum.
In these cases, it is possible that the piles are being driven too shallowly and not at a sufficient angle to support the building or the soil conditions are such that the load needs to be transferred further down to a stronger layer. To resolve this, a special flange can be attached to the bottom of the pile and reinforced with a series of steel plates. These plates can then be welded to the pile head to strengthen it further and increase its capacity.
Poured Concrete Piers
Concrete piers are very popular among homeowners and foundation contractors alike because they are cheap to make and last a long time. They are also very effective at stabilizing slab foundations and keeping them from sinking, settling or needing repair work.
Unlike steel piers, which must be driven all the way to bedrock, poured concrete piers can easily be installed to reach a stable depth within our heavy clay soils without the need for massive machinery and specialized equipment. Poured concrete piers can be a great choice for single- or two-story homes that require additional support.
A poured concrete pier consists of a large, wide cylinder that sits on top of an excavated hole that is filled with concrete and then covered with a steel plate. Once the pier is fully cured, it can then be connected to the house’s foundation.
These piers can be built either by digging holes with a post hole digger (clamshell digger) or by hand using a shovel and a tape measure. Once the pier footings are dug, they are usually misted with water to keep the concrete from drying too quickly. Then, the pier is assembled by placing zinc-galvanized pole bases at each drilled site, cutting a fiberglass tube that extends from the base of the pier and then filling it with concrete.
Once the concrete has cured, the contractor will install a steel plate that is then attached to the foundation with galvanized screws or bolts. Once all the piers are installed, they are then inspected for proper alignment and leveling. If there is a problem with a pier that can be corrected with a few simple adjustments or reshims, the contractor will take care of it.
Sometimes the signs of a failing pier and beam or crawl space foundation are not as obvious as cracks in a foundation wall. The problem might be as subtle as a spongy floor or furniture that shakes when it is moved. In these situations, a foundation contractor might use slab jacking to lift the foundation back into place. Slab jacking involves drilling holes through the slab and injecting them with a concrete slurry or dense polyurethane foam.
Masonry Patches and Sealants
Masonry patching materials and sealants are available for repairing surface cracks in brick, masonry block and mortar. Non-structural cracks in masonry should be repaired as soon as they appear to prevent further damage and improve the cosmetic appearance of the building. The choice of patching material will depend on the type and severity of the crack. A wide crack may be able to be repaired by using hydraulic cement, while small surface cracks can be filled with epoxy injections or a masonry repair compound.
A masonry patching product that dries to a hard concrete-like finish can be used for tuck-pointing or repairing mortar joints and cracked surfaces. The patching material is available in a variety of sizes, from large buckets to small bags that are convenient for use in a hand caulk gun. It can be used for a number of applications, including chimneys, steps, sills and sidewalks. The product is easy to mix with water and can be applied quickly.
Before applying any masonry patching or sealant, the area should be cleaned to remove loose debris. This helps to ensure better adhesion between the repair material and the wall surface, as well as preventing the premature drying of applied compounds. The crack should also be widened by chiseling, as this helps to improve the mechanical bond of the repair material with the existing concrete.
During a typical freeze-thaw cycle, block and brick walls can be subjected to lateral pressures that cause the movement of masonry units within the wall. This can result in spalling, a condition where the face of individual bricks become detached from the rest of the masonry. In the event that a brick or block wall is experiencing spalling, a structural engineer should be consulted to assess the extent of the damage and determine whether a foundation replacement is necessary.
Masonry joint sealants can be applied with a hand caulk gun or by using an injection system that uses epoxy or polyurethane. Ideally, the sealant should be installed from bottom to top to avoid trapping air between the sealant and the wall surface. The temperature at which the sealant is installed will also affect its long-term performance. A sealant installed at low temperatures will be compressed, while one installed at high temperatures will be under tension.