Foundation damage isn’t always a big deal, but it needs to be dealt with sooner rather than later. Cracks that aren’t wider than a quarter of an inch can usually be repaired with epoxy injections or hydraulic cement patches.
Your contractor will determine how many support locations are needed along the foundation of your home. This can be accomplished using a variety of methods depending on the soil conditions beneath your property. Contact Sugar Land Foundation Repair for professional help.
Slab Jacking
Slab jacking is the process of raising the foundation slab of a concrete-built structure. This can be done in homes that sit on a concrete slab instead of a traditional below-grade basement, or it can also be used to repair sloping concrete driveways and other concrete structures. Slab jacking is much less destructive than replacing the entire concrete slab, and it can also be completed more quickly.
A pattern of holes is drilled into the surface of the slab, and then a synthetic lifting solution is pumped through these holes. This material, which is similar in texture to grout, raises the concrete back to its original level. In many cases, this is enough to correct the problem, and it can be used on driveways, sidewalks, patios, garage floors, and even basement floors.
While this is a quick and inexpensive method of raising slabs, it should not be considered a permanent solution for foundation problems. Unless the soil underneath is completely stable, it is likely that the sinking slab will continue to cause damage to your home as it moves and settles over time. This is why it is important to have your foundation repaired by a professional as soon as you notice any signs of damage.
Mud jacking is a common alternative to slab jacking, and it can be used to raise almost any type of concrete. The procedure involves drilling holes into the area of the slab that seems to be settling and pumping a mixture of mud and concrete through these holes. This raises the slab back to its original level and may be sufficient to fix your foundation problem in some situations.
However, polyurethane injection is a more effective and longer-lasting alternative to mud jacking. Polyurethane foam uses a smaller injection hole than mud, and it sets up much more quickly and cleanly. This makes it more convenient and effective for homeowners, and it can often be completed in a single day. When compared to pouring a new foundation, this is a fast and low-cost method for repairing concrete slabs that are sinking due to erosion or poorly compacted soil.
Steel Piers
Steel piers are the most advanced and effective solution to foundation problems when bedrock or load bearing strata is within reach. Before recommending this solution, your Douglas Foundation Solutions inspector will review a detailed map of your property and look for the best spot to install your steel piers. Your inspector will also perform soil testing to ensure the piers are properly placed in stable ground.
When installed properly, the piers will transfer your home or commercial structure’s weight to the load bearing strata and away from the unstable soil. This helps to eliminate sinking and shifting in the future as well as any potential damage from storms, freeze thaw cycles, and other natural events.
One of the benefits of choosing steel piers for your foundation repair project is the minimal maintenance they require. Unlike concrete piers, the metal piers are rust-resistant and can be used for many years to come without the need for additional repairs. This minimal maintenance makes steel piers an excellent choice for homeowners who want a long-term and durable solution to their foundation problems.
Like all of our solutions, your steel piers will be constructed with a durable steel plate and a high-quality galvanized coating to protect against corrosion. The welded plate is attached to a central pin with multiple bearing plates for increased stability and strength. The diameter of the bearing plates varies by soil type to provide an optimal solution for your property. For instance, rocky soils typically call for smaller diameter plates while soft or sandy soils need larger ones.
The most common use of steel piers for foundation repair is to stabilize a sagging or sinking foundation. When the soil beneath a foundation dries up, it loses its ability to support the structure above. This forces the foundation to sink or settle. Our team can install steel piers underneath the affected areas to lift the foundation back up to its original level.
During the installation process, our crew will drive a hydraulic pier into the ground until it reaches the load bearing strata or bedrock. This method is much faster than the traditional concrete pier approach, and less disruptive to your landscape. The piers will then be bolted to the foundation and load tested to ensure they can handle your structural load.
Concrete Pile
Whether you are in need of foundation repair for your home or a commercial building, helical piles offer a cost-effective solution that can be installed with minimal disruption to the surrounding environment. These piles are driven into the ground using a hydraulic power ram that can generate up to 50,000 pound of force. This is significantly higher than the pressure exerted on a typical concrete pile, which makes them an ideal choice for repairing foundations in challenging soil conditions.
Like other types of foundation piles, these are made of wood, steel, or concrete. They are a great option for construction projects in areas with high groundwater levels, and they can be designed to be cased or non-cased. In a cased pile, a hole is drilled into the ground, then lined with reinforcing materials and backfilled with concrete. In a non-cased pile, the hole is drilled through the existing concrete foundation.
When it comes to foundation repairs, concrete piles are commonly used in Central Texas. To install a concrete pile, holes are dug in the ground next to the foundation and down about two feet below the base of the foundation. A concrete cylinder is then placed in the bottom of the hole and a high-power hydraulic ram is situated on top of the cylinder. The ram is then activated to drive the cylinder into the ground, and this often creates a lot of friction that can help stabilize and lift the foundation.
While these methods can work well for some situations, there are several drawbacks to this type of foundation repair. For one, concrete piles can be damaged easily by the elements or by the movement of the earth beneath them. In addition, if the piles are not driven into the proper load-bearing stratum, they can fail.
Fortunately, pile technology is always improving and becoming more sustainable. Some of these innovations include the use of eco-friendly materials, and techniques that reduce water usage, soil disturbance, and energy consumption. All of these are helping to ensure that these vital civil engineering tools can continue to support the ambitions of modern civilization.
Poured Concrete Piers
Concrete piers are a foundation repair option for homeowners who are looking for a more permanent solution. These piers can be used to repair a home that is experiencing sinking or shifting and provide a more stable foundation than other methods. Concrete piers can be installed in many soil conditions and come in different sizes depending on the severity of the problem. They can also be used to raise the foundation of a home and help to correct drainage problems by directing water away from the structure.
When installing concrete piers, the foundation repair company will dig holes at each pier location. Then, a mixture of concrete and steel is poured into each hole. Once the concrete is cured, hydraulic jacks will be placed on each pier and connected to a unified hydraulic jacking machine. Once the jacks are engaged, they will lift the home to its proper elevation. Concrete piers are typically installed in pairs, but can be used to support single sections of the foundation if needed. Once the house is raised, steel or concrete shims will be used to close the gap between the top of the pier and the foundation.
One of the key reasons that experts recommend concrete piers for foundation repair is that they are less expensive than other options and can be used to correct both slab and pier and beam foundations. They are also durable and able to hold up against the weight of a house for a longer period of time than other repair methods.
Another reason that concrete piers are preferred is that they require less excavation than other repair methods. The holes that are dug to install the piers can be filled with dirt once the concrete has cured. This means that there is less mess to clean up after the work has been completed and it can be done in a shorter amount of time.
Additionally, if the concrete piers are galvanized, they will be more resistant to corrosion than ungalvanized steel piers. This can be an important consideration for owners of homes in wetter climates where rusting can cause serious problems for a structure.