Foundation Repair 101: Best Foundation Repair Services and Foundation Repair Contractor
One of the leading home structural problems is foundation settlement, but luckily there are helpful and effective ways in repairing a concrete foundation without having to tear out and begin with a scratch. The movement and settlement of a foundation are usually caused by improperly compacted or compressible fill soils, structure on an expansive clay, or poor maintenance around a foundation. Foundation settlement destroys the value of structures, even rendering them unsafe whatever the cause is. Do not delay getting the problem solved by contacting a trusted and reputable foundation repair contractor if you see signs of foundation distress, because the longer you wait, the more the foundation sinks, causing further damage.
The signs of crumbling, cracked and compromised foundation includes gaps or ruptures, hairline cracks or fractures, sagging, buckling or sloping of foundation walls or floors, flaking or crumbling and moisture (mold, stains and pooling water). One of the leading causes of foundation failure is water damage, and this happens when the surrounding soil expands rapidly and contracts, leading to unnatural soil shifting, putting tremendous pressure to the underlying foundation. Water damage is an indication of foundation failure, wherein the cracks redirect water to lower soil levels, that results in excessive buildup of moisture around the propertiy. A foundation repair contractor reveals potential signs of water damage, such as unnaturally wet, unusually dry after watering the lawn or following a heavy rainfall), and invisible leaks.
The most common foundation repair is the concrete foundation repair that uses either hydraulic jacking or slabjacking. Slabjacking operation includes pumping of the grout beneath a slab or beam producing a lifting force, thereby restoring the member to its original elevation. Piering operation involves driving of a steel posts through a soil that is unstable with the use of hydraulic jacks, and these are used to raise and stabilize concrete slabs affected by changes in the underlying soil.
The popular equipment used in repairing foundations involve usage of steel piers, helical piers, high-density polyurethane foam, segmented piers and spot piers. Usage of steel piers revolutionized the process of foundation repair, because as compared to traditional concrete piers, steel take lesser time to get the job done and it less disturbs the landscape. Helical piers are matched with light-loaded areas such as structures with vinyl sliding and porch columns, which work well for interior slap and external foundation repairs, and it is used not just for repair method but also for new construction. Slab repair is simplified by injecting a polyurethane foam in the grid of a checkerboard. Segment piers is a new product in the filed of foundation repair, while spot piers are used in working with light-loaded areas such as porches.