The foundation is the most important part of your home, and allowing problems to go untreated can lead to serious consequences. If you believe your foundation may need repair, there are a few common signs that you can watch out for. Read on to learn more about these signs as well as an overview of the repair methods for your home’s foundation.
One of the most common signs of foundation problems is cracking, both on the interior and exterior of your home. Hairline cracks generally occur due to shrinkage and are not cause for concern. However, cracks that are wider than ¼ inch indicate a more serious problem, as do stairstep cracks that lie in masonry joints. Horizontal cracks are even more serious than vertical cracks; they can indicate a problem with the soil surrounding your foundation. Other common signs of foundation problems include doors and windows that stick or will not close all the way and walls that are bowing or bulging.
Piers: One type of foundation repair method involves using piers to support the foundation. Also called piering, this is typically used on homes that have a pier and beam foundation, which includes a crawl space in between one’s home and the ground. With piering, we place piers underneath the foundation of your home to increase its support and capacity. The amount of piers necessary will depend upon the severity of the foundation problem.
Underpinning: Underpinning refers to making your foundation more structurally sound in a few ways. The concrete method involves digging boxes under the foundation and then pouring concrete into them. Another method is beam and base, which consists of placing mass concrete bases and a reinforced concrete beam either above, below, or in place of the footing. With mini-piled underpinning, multiple methods are used to support the foundation, including cantilever pile-caps, pile and beam, and piled raft. Lastly, minimally invasive underpinning involves injecting grout directly into the soil underneath the foundation to provide support.
Piling: With piling, your foundation is supported by piles that are driven into the soil. Piles are large beams consisting of concrete or steel. Piling can be done with a few different types of piles. Concrete piles are most commonly used to create foundations because of their versatility. Micropiles, mini piles, and pin piles are made out of steel and are generally used for foundation repair. They are driven into the ground while grout is injected into the soil.
Crack Repair: Cracks in your foundation can lead to further deterioration of your home. There are three types of injections used to repair cracks: epoxy, urethane, and carbon fiber. Epoxy and urethane are both flexible and can prevent future moisture seepage. They keep their form, penetrate deeply, and can adhere to all types of foundations. However, epoxy can only bond to concrete that is dry upon application, while urethane can be used in damp spaces. Carbon fiber, available as a laminate or woven product, is a superior repair method that is installed on top of epoxy or urethane for maximum durability and stability.
Tim is the President of Intech Anchoring and has 25 years of experience in the Civil Engineering and Geostructural Industry. Tim has developed extensive industry knowledge by working to support the needs of specialty contractors at each and every business level. Tim’s diverse industry background has given him exposure to a wide variety civil construction projects, ranging from the simplest residential applications to the most complex commercial and industrial projects. Coupled with a highly skilled and educated team, Tim focuses on providing the highest quality products and solutions to Intech Anchoring’s customers in order to consistently exceed expectations.