Foundation Repair – What You Need to Know

When foundation problems are ignored, it can lead to more work, expense, and even structural damage down the line. If you’re concerned about your home’s foundation, take action sooner rather than later.

Some signs of foundation issues include wall cracks, sagging floors, and misaligned doors or windows. It’s also important to keep an eye out for sinking ground around your house. Contact Pros Foundation Repair Greensboro NC for professional help.

A foundation repair company can do a complete inspection of your home’s structure to determine its current state and whether or not there are any signs of structural damage. This involves walking around the exterior of your house, checking for cracks in the concrete slab, brick veneer, and fascia boards as well as checking for any gaps between the foundation and the chimney. The inspection process also focuses on the plumbing, as this is often a leading cause of moisture-related problems and can lead to serious cracking of the foundation.

Inspecting your home’s foundation for damage is a great way to identify any problems early on, and it can save you money in the long run. Many foundation issues are easy to overlook, but if left untreated they can worsen and cause major damage that requires expensive repairs.

If you’re thinking of selling your home, a routine inspection can give you peace of mind and increase the overall value of the property. If you’re buying a new home, ask the seller if they’ve had an inspection done recently.

Foundation inspections can also be useful for homeowners who have children and pets, as they can help to detect potential hazards. Signs of foundation damage include visible cracking, leaning walls, or uneven floors. A qualified inspector can provide recommendations for any necessary repairs, as well as advice on how to prevent future damage.

The best way to avoid serious damage to your foundation is through regular maintenance. Addressing leaky plumbing promptly and ensuring that the soil surrounding the foundation is properly graded to prevent water pooling can help reduce the risk of foundation movement. Adding gutters and downspouts can help to keep water away from the foundation, while French drains and landscape grading can ensure that excess water flows away from the foundation rather than toward it. Keeping moisture levels consistent and planting trees and shrubs far enough away from the foundation can also prevent root intrusion into the soil and foundation. A good landscaping contractor can help with this, as they can plant trees and shrubs strategically to minimize their impact on the foundation.

Choosing a Contractor

When you choose the right contractor, it’s important to take your time and vet them thoroughly. This will help ensure your foundation repair project is carried out properly, and safeguards the structural integrity of your home.

When choosing a contractor, examine their website and social media for customer reviews. Look for testimonials, case studies, and a comprehensive list of services offered. These will provide valuable insights into the contractor’s capabilities, expertise, and overall reputation.

A reliable contractor will conduct a thorough inspection of your foundation to identify the root cause of the problem and design a plan that addresses it effectively. They will also clearly explain their findings and proposed solution to you in a way that’s easy to understand. This demonstrates their transparency and commitment to working with their clients.

In addition to verifying their credentials and experience, it’s also essential to review the contract terms they offer for their services. This will include details such as the scope of work, materials to be used, and expected completion timelines. Inquire about payment requirements and check that the contract includes a warranty on both materials and labor.

It’s important to request detailed estimates from prospective contractors to get a better understanding of the costs involved in foundation repair. This will allow you to compare offers more accurately and ensure you’re getting the best value for your money.

When evaluating the scope of work, make sure to consider factors such as the extent of damage and weather conditions. These will influence the time and cost to complete the project. It’s also a good idea to ask about the contractor’s warranty policy and whether they offer follow-up maintenance advice and inspections. These services can extend the life of your foundation and prevent future issues.

Underpinning

A foundation is an integral part of your home, so when issues occur it can be a real shock. The good news is that there are a variety of methods available to restore your foundation and bring peace of mind back to your home. One such method is underpinning, which is used to strengthen your existing foundation and help it stay upright and stable over time.

In simple terms, underpinning involves digging under the foundation to extend it downward into the ground where it is more capable of bearing the weight of your house. This is typically done when the footings for your house are starting to sink, but it can also be useful if you would like to add more height to your basement walls. The underpinning process is done in controlled stages – called pins – of limited length, and the soil excavated is replaced with concrete to create an additional layer of support for your foundation.

It is important to understand that underpinning does not fix all problems with a foundation, and it should only be considered when your house has significant structural movement that is unlikely to reverse. It is also worth remembering that you will need a full inspection by a qualified engineer before making any decisions about underpinning your home, as it can be extremely dangerous if the excavation is not completed properly.

Underpinning can be costly, and it is important to consider other solutions that could be more cost effective. For example, adding a drainage system is often cheaper than underpinning and can be a great way to keep water away from your home and prevent damage from occurring.

Other options include the use of helical or push piers, which are basically underground stilts that are driven down into load-bearing competent soil. These are more affordable than underpinning but may not be strong enough to cope with extreme movement of your building. It is also worth remembering that environmental factors that caused your foundation to shift in the first place will still be affecting your foundation, so you will need to find a solution to those as well.

Repair Methods

There are several different repair methods available for foundation problems, and each method has its own unique advantages. It is important to consider the extent of the damage and the type of soil that needs to be reinforced before choosing a method. For example, concrete slab and pier and beam repairs are ideal for significant structural issues, while steel push pier installation offers strong, long-lasting stabilization. Meanwhile, techniques like drainage enhancements and root barriers can help prevent problems before they arise.

A concrete slab foundation can be repaired with methods such as mudjacking and pressure grouting, which involve pumping a cement mixture underneath the foundation to fill voids and lift the foundation back to its original level. However, these methods can be costly and may require extensive excavation around your home.

Another option is to install bell-bottom piers, which consist of steel piers that are driven into the ground until they reach the load-bearing stratum. This method is particularly effective in areas where the soil is prone to shifting, as it helps stabilize the foundation against movement. The piers are also able to support more weight than other types of piers, making them an excellent choice for homes that have experienced substantial settlement.

Bowing walls are a serious problem that requires immediate attention. A professional can use wall anchors to reinforce and stabilize the walls, which are secured with steel rods and plates. This method is often used for commercial buildings and can be less expensive than replacing the entire foundation.

In addition to repairing cracks in the foundation, these techniques can also be used to lift sunken concrete surfaces. For instance, a technique called mudjacking involves pumping a grout mixture under the concrete, which fills voids and raises the surface. It is a cost-effective method that can be completed in just a few days, and it is less invasive than replacing the concrete slab.