Foundation issues are quite common in many places around the country, especially areas with extreme weather changes as well as soil problems. Unluckily, these issues may compromise the integrity of your building; thus, leading to time-consuming and costly repairs.
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Sources and Signs of Foundation Problems
Basically, foundation problems can occur due to 2 reasons, which are:
Upheaval
This problem occurs when the whole foundation or parts of the foundation have been raised some forces above the original level.
Settlement
This happens when the whole foundation or parts of the foundation of a building have sunk below the original grade.
Although these sources differ, they tend to lead to similar challenges that may affect the safety of your property.
As a homeowner, you must always be on the lookout for possible foundation problems that will need urgent repairs. Some of the common signs that can tell you need foundation repair include:
- Bowed walls
- Cracked slabs
- Leaned walls
- Sticking windows and/or doors
- Sagging floors
- Cracks in stair steps
- Cracks in drywall or floor
If you have noticed any of these signs, you should quickly contact JES Foundation Repair to hire professionals that can help you to repair your foundation or basement.
Various Foundation Repair Methods
Regardless of the sources of the foundation problems, different solutions can be considered to repair your foundation. The most common foundation repair methods are described below:
Sealants
If small cracks are spotted early, you can repair them with sealants and masonry patches. With the aid of a waterproof sealant, you can block the cracks; there, ensuring that the damage doesn’t progress. Vinyl concrete, polyurethane, hydraulic cement, silicone, and epoxies are some of the most common sealers for repairing small cracks in a foundation.
Piling
When compared to the other methods, piling is usually a long-term foundation repair solution. This method can return your foundation to its original grade without any issue. The major types of piling for repairing foundations include steel piers, concrete piers, bell bottom piers, and pressed pilings.
While the existing piers can be used for pilling, getting supplemental piers may be necessary. Irrespective of the type of piling used, the results usually tend to reliable.
Slab Jacking
For sinking or uneven concrete, slab jacking can be used to solve the problem. It is best recommended for small areas like driveways, steps, porches, walkways, and decks. You will have to lift the concrete foundation and inject cement, soil or other natural elements into the spot. Afterward, the lifted concrete will be returned to its place.
Other common names for slab jacking include slab leveling, concrete lifting, and mud jacking. Notably, this method is best used professionals.
Apart from the aforementioned methods, other solutions for fixing foundation problems are:
- Stabilization of foundation soil
- Underpinning
- Effective water management
- Grouting
It should be understood that the most suitable method for your foundation repair depends on the climate, soil type, and foundation build. If you are confused about the best foundation repair for your building, you shouldn’t hesitate to get in touch with professionals in the field.