When you notice cracks in your home’s foundation, you should be concerned. These cracks indicate serious foundation problems and can lead to costly repair work for your house.
Whether your home needs to be raised using piers or pilings or stabilized by mud-pumping, the process takes time. Understanding the different methods of home foundation repair can help you make the right choice for your situation. Contact Apex Plano Foundation Repair for professional help.
The foundation isn’t just the base of your home, it also helps everything work right. If your door doesn’t close, your trim is buckling or your windows aren’t level with the ground, it may be because the house is sinking in its own footprint and needs to be returned to its original elevation through foundation repair.
Foundation cracks are a normal part of settling that’s often caused by soil movement and should be repaired with epoxy injection, but if they are wide or increasing in size, it could indicate deeper structural problems and need immediate attention. Other warning signs to look for include doors and windows that stick or are difficult to open, uneven floors and water seepage.
While cracks in a foundation can be serious, the majority aren’t and can usually be repaired with polyurethane or silicone caulk. Applying the caulk in a wide, even coat along the length of the crack is the most effective way to fill it and protect the surrounding concrete. This type of caulk is flexible enough to accommodate the natural expansion and contraction of the concrete during weather changes.
Non-structural cracks isolated to a single cinder block are typically due to shrinkage during the concrete curing process and don’t pose a threat to your home’s stability. However, horizontal or diagonal cracks that extend from the foundation to the surface of the ground are a sign of pressure from outside the foundation walls and should be addressed immediately.
A professional will assess the cause of your foundation cracks and create a plan to repair them, which will usually involve installing supports along the perimeter of your home. These can be piers, bell-bottom piers or pilings, which are installed by digging and drilling into the soil then pouring concrete to create bell-bottomed piers that transfer the weight of your home back to the supporting ground.
Carbon fiber straps are another popular method of stabilizing a failing foundation wall. These are secured to the inside of your foundation wall with a specialized epoxy application that fuses them to the wall. This method is effective for both poured and concrete block foundations and can help prevent further bowing or leaning.
Shifts
While not as serious as cracks, shifts in foundation are still cause for concern. They are a sign of shifting soil conditions that can lead to serious problems if left untreated, including sagging floors and misaligned doors and windows. Shifts are often caused by poor soil compaction or landscaping, as well as drought-like conditions that cause soil to shrink and move. Poor drainage is also a common cause of shifts, as water pools around the foundation and weakens support structures.
Unlike cracks, which can be repaired using epoxy injection, a full foundation underpinning is usually required to repair a shift in your foundation. Underpinning involves drilling and installing steel rods or hydraulic piers underneath the foundation to provide additional support, preventing further damage and improving stability. Other solutions for repairing shifts in foundation include slabjacking and mudjacking, which involve pumping a slurry of cement, sand, and water under the foundation to lift it back to its original position. For smaller cracks, epoxy injection can fill the gaps and help prevent further damage.
If you’re experiencing sloping floors, misaligned doors or windows, or gaps in door and window frames, it’s important to contact a professional as soon as possible. Early detection allows for quick repairs that can prevent these minor issues from worsening and becoming more costly over time.
Although some homeowners live in homes that experience differential settlement, this isn’t a good idea. It can lead to more serious structural damage, and it isn’t safe for your family or pets.
A professional foundation inspection can identify the source of your problem and recommend a solution. Taking proactive steps to maintain consistent soil moisture levels, ensuring proper drainage, and conducting regular inspections can all help prevent future shifting of your foundation. In the event of a problem, hiring a professional contractor can ensure lasting stability and peace of mind.
Weakness
Your foundation is responsible for transferring the weight of your walls, roof, and possessions down into the soil underneath in a strong, stable manner. If you have a weak foundation, this can put too much pressure on certain areas and cause structural failure over time. This is a major problem because if this happens, you could end up with expensive damage and even worse problems. Luckily, there are a variety of ways to address the problem before it gets out of control.
If you notice cracks in your concrete walls, it’s important to call for repairs immediately. If you leave these cracks untreated, they’ll continue to widen and eventually weaken the structure. This can lead to further deterioration and even collapse the whole wall, so it’s crucial to take action now.
Likewise, if you see signs of water in your basement or around the foundation, it’s also essential to take immediate action. Moisture can cause rot, swelling, and even shrinkage of the ground, all of which are bad news for your foundation. If you find water leaking into your basement, the best thing to do is have a professional waterproofing company inspect and repair the problem right away.
Another common sign of a weak foundation is uneven or sloping floors. This can create a risk of falling objects and is a warning that your foundation may be shifting or sinking.
For these issues, there are several different repair methods that can be used to stabilize the foundation. One popular method is steel piers, which involve driving long, slender metal beams deep into the ground to support the foundation. Another option is carbon fiber strips, which provide a high level of strength and stability without the need for extensive excavation or intrusive installation.
Finally, mudjacking is another method that can strengthen the foundation and restore stability. Mudjacking involves pumping a dense slurry under the foundation, which fills and lifts the voids that can cause sinking or displacement.
For bowed or bulging walls, carbon fiber reinforcements are an excellent solution. These strips are super durable and ultra lightweight, so they can add a lot of strength to weak walls without adding too much weight. They can also be anchored to the foundation with tieback anchors, providing additional support and stabilization.
Moisture
Moisture is a significant contributor to foundation damage and it can manifest in many ways. It can lead to basement flooding, mold growth, musty odors, uneven floors, and more. If left untreated, excessive moisture can also cause the supporting wood beams to rot and weaken the foundation, causing it to shift or sink.
Excess moisture is often the result of poor drainage. When rainwater or melting snow isn’t properly directed away from the house, it pools around the foundation and saturates the soil. Over time, this can increase the weight and pressure against the foundation walls, leading to cracking.
Leaking pipes and irrigation systems can also contribute to soil moisture problems. When water leaks from these systems seeps into the soil near the foundation, it can cause it to expand and contract, creating a cycle that increases the risk of cracking.
Improper grading can also be a factor in these issues. If the ground isn’t sloped properly, it can cause the soil to flow toward the foundation and saturate it. This can create the same problems as clogged gutters or downspouts that don’t properly direct water away from the foundation.
Trees and shrubs can be a threat as well. Their roots can reach into the soil and absorb excessive amounts of moisture, which can lead to settling, foundation movement, and soil erosion. Planting these items far enough away from your home will help to reduce this problem.
Addressing drainage and regulating soil moisture levels can prevent foundation problems and save you money on costly repairs in the future. Taking simple steps like using soaker hoses during dry spells and ensuring that your irrigation system is functioning properly can help to keep moisture levels balanced. Regularly assessing your drainage system and implementing changes when necessary will help to minimize the risk of moisture intrusion in your concrete foundation.
