Does Your Foundation Need Repair?

Cracks in Your Walls

Cracks in your walls are not only unsightly, but they are often a sign of more severe underlying problems.

Depending on several factors such as size, extent of damage, cause, and method of correction, crack repair can either be as simple as an injection in the wall or it can be an immediate candidate for foundation repair.

While a DIY fix could be your cure, you should consult a trained professional for a free estimate. This greater understanding of the severity of your wall crack will provide you with the necessary information to make an informed decision.

Cracks in Your Floor

Floor cracks can be aesthetically displeasing and often times the root of a bigger issue within your home or foundation.

The severity of the issue is dependent on a number of factors including the size of the floor crack, extent of damage, cause, type of foundation, and method of correction, floor crack repair can come in many different forms ranging from injection systems to a complete foundation repair.

While a DIY fix could be the cure for your floor crack, consulting a trained professional for a free estimate should be your first step. Make an informed decision about your repair options and avoid severe damage to your home.

Doors and Windows Not Shutting

If your doors are having difficulty opening or shutting, it could be because your foundation is settling or sinking.

Sticky windows cannot only be an inconvenience, and sometimes a workout, but it can also be an indicator of a more serious issue. Over time, your home will experience settling in a minor way. The impact of that movement on your foundation can be small or can have more serious consequences.

DIY fixes can temporarily alleviate some minor annoyances in this area, but often times they merely prolong the inevitable. Getting a free consultation from a trained professional is a step worth taking towards protecting your investment.

Avoid serious foundation consequences – Contact Intech Anchoring Systems today to schedule your free estimate with one of our dealer network members.

Water Leaking

A problem sign that most homeowners encounter with their foundation is a leaky basement. Depending upon the amount of water and the presence of cracks will determine the course of action to be taken in creating a dry basement.

You will need to find the source of your wet basement by locating the original point of water and cutting off its access to your space. This will provide an indication of the severity of the issue and the best course of action to repair your foundation.

Unfortunately, waiting too long to correct a basement leak will further compromise the stability of your home. Plus it will cost you time spent mopping and draining your floors. Avoid serous foundation problems by fixing your leaky basement – Contact Intech Anchoring Systems today to schedule your free estimate.

Uneven Floors

Floors that squeak, slope or tilt can be more than just a minor inconvenience. They are sometimes caused by bends in wood flooring or what is known as “joist deflection.” They can also be a sign of sinking or shifting foundation.

How can you tell the cause? One area to examine is the direction of the slant. If your floor bows or dips in the middle, it may be caused by joist deflection. But if the slant is in one direction, or is linear, it could mean that your walls or foundation need repair.

Driveway/Sidewalk Cracks

If your sidewalk is cracking or sinking, especially near the base of your home, this can be a sign of deeper foundation issues.

Cracks can be the effect of differential movement between your home and the surrounding landscape.

Whether this can be fixed with crack injections, or whether your home is in need of additional repair can be hard to determine. That’s why we are here to help.

Types of Foundation Repair for Your Home or Structure

Depending on your home’s unique issues, varying types of foundation repair solutions are available.
Below is an overview of the various foundation repair solutions, factors to consider, relative pricing, and uses.

What is Underpinning?

Underpinning is the process of strengthening the foundation of an existing home or building. Intech Anchoring Systems network of certified installing contractors utilize the process of underpinning by installing a pier system (either helical or resistance) to make your foundation structurally stronger. This can take a variety of forms: extending your foundation deeper for better support or strengthening your foundation with piers or micropiles.

Underpinning can be necessary for a variety of reasons. For example, your foundation may simply have become weak and unstable over time, or there could be a problem with the type of soil your building rests on.

Underpinning may also be necessary if the use of the structure is changing, increased loads are being added, or if there is an economic benefit to reusing the original foundation rather than building a new one.

What is Piling?

Piling is a type of foundation stabilization in which the structure is supported through use of piles or piers (large beams made of steel or concrete) that are driven into the soil. Most often, piling is used for buildings that are very large and in environments where the soil that is underneath the foundation is unable to support and keep the structure from settling excessively.

Essentially, a piling foundation will take the weight of the large structure and transfer it from a weak soil area to a strong support system of rock or hard soil. You may need piling repair if you have noticed signs of your foundation sinking or having other issues.

What are Helical Anchors?

For permanent foundation reinforcement, helical wall anchors are an ideal choice.

Resembling long screws, helical anchors are implanted deep in the soil before being attached to damaged walls. Because inactive soil is highly stable, it allows the anchors to correct current damage while preventing future wall deterioration.

Typically, installing helical wall anchors is a choice reserved for severe cracks or bowing. Mild cracks and damage can often be fixed by carbon fiber repair.

What are Tiebacks?

Tiebacks are an essential tool for reinforcing a building’s foundation, and to protecting the structural integrity of your home overall. A tieback is a helix-shaped reinforcement tool that can be drilled into a house’s foundation. It allows the weight to be transferred from the weak soil underneath to much stronger helical plates. The concept may be basic and simplistic, but there are several important uses for tiebacks. Consider the following:

What are Injection Systems?

Either sealant can be used on most surfaces, including wood, metal, and concrete. The strength, low cost, and fast-acting nature of the sealants make injection systems ideal for crack repair with minimal disruption.

What is Carbon Fiber?

Stronger than steel, carbon fiber provides a trusted solution to safeguard the structural integrity of your home. It is available in strips or woven systems, depending on your need. Easily applied with minimal invasion, this product ensures your home is repaired as quickly as possible.

How Much Will Your Foundation Repair Cost?

The Intech Anchoring Systems network of certified dealers offer a variety of foundation repair solutions to meet every possible foundation need. The cost of each solution depends upon the procedure used and the extent of damage caused by the foundational issue. To best serve you, we have a comparison chart of our available solutions so that you can look at the prices and possible methods of repair.

Foundation Repair Costs

As mentioned previously, several factors play a role in determining the cost of your foundation repair, including primarily:

  • How much the house has settled or shifted away from the foundation, as well as how deep and wide the cracks are.
  • The weight of your home. Heavier structures present greater obstacles; therefore, may require additional products or installers.
  • Soil Type. Certain types of soil may increase the difficulty of excavation and installation of helical piers.
  • Accessibility of your home’s damage. Projects requiring excavation or installation in crawl spaces are typically more time-consuming.
  • Any necessary lifting or obstructions in the work area.

Basement Repair Costs

Similar to foundation repair, the cost of basement repairs depends largely on the severity of the issue. Intech Anchoring Systems will inspect a variety of factors, including:

  • How far your home has shifted
  • The extent of cracking
  • The weight of your house
  • Soil type
  • Accessibility for repair
  • The amount of labor required
  • Any obstructions in the work area

Bowing Wall Repair Costs

The cost of bowing wall repair is based primarily on characteristics of the bend itself. Pricing is affected by the following:

  • How far the wall is bowing inward, as well as whether the bowing starts in the middle of the wall or is rotating inward at the top of the wall by the sill plate.
  • The weight of the structure is a key factor in cost, as a heavier wall will need more helical anchors to prevent future movement.
  • Soil type, accessibility, obstacles in the work area, and the depth of excavation required.
  • Finally, it is up to the homeowner to decide if the wall needs to be simply secured or completely straightened to serve a more functional purpose.

Waterproofing Costs

If your home suffers from water damage during or after every rainfall, it is time to invest in a drainage or waterproofing system for your home. Like all of our other services, the cost varies depending on a myriad of factors including:

  • If the damaged area is finished, repair will be more costly than if it were an unfinished basement.
  • Is there an outside access to the work area, or is the basement a walk-out?
  • Are there windows present?
  • Will installers have to work around obstacles such as hot water tanks, furnaces, interior walls, or shelves?
  • If a current sump pump exists, is it usable? What are the entry points of water?
  • What type of construction – concrete, blocks, bricks – will need to be reinforced?

 

Locate a Waterproofing Specialist

Crack Repair Costs

Of all the services Intech Anchoring Systems offers, crack repair can require the least amount of effort. It’s important to realize, however, that the extent of damage can often be an indication of a far more severe, more costly problem. An Intech Anchoring Systems representative will visit your home to examine the width, length, number, placement on the wall, and the direction in which the crack moves (horizontally vs. vertically) to determine the cause and extent of the damage.

Next it will be essential to identify any obstacles that may stall the repair process, such as moisture seepage from the cracks, previously failed repair attempts, drywall, and whether the wall has been painted or covered with a skim coating.
Most crack repairs require a team of 1-2 installers and can be completed in one day or even hours.

For a basic repair, an installer will clean the crack extensively to ensure proper access for materials. Then injection ports are installed and a surface sealer is applied to the crack. Epoxy or urethane is injected into the crack through the installed ports. Finally, carbon fiber is often placed on top of the crack to provide additional support and prevent future movement of the wall.

Intech Anchoring Systems Certified, Locally Operated Contractors Near You

Intech Anchoring Systems has a network of certified dealers. To see if you fall within our serviceable locations, give us a call at 800-223-7015.

Why You Should Hire A Certified Foundation Repair Professional

When you are protecting something as important and expensive as your home, foundation repair should be the last thing you decide to save on. You will want to be sure that you are getting the best possible solution for your money. When deciding who to hire, here are some important factors to consider:

Products Offered

As a manufacturer and distributor of the best foundation repair products in the country, you can trust that any of our certified dealers have the most innovative and effective products available.

Locally Operated Network

As your regional distributor of CHANCE Helical Pier Systems and Atlas Copco Self Drilling Anchors, your foundation repair will be completed by locally operated certified contractors. We also manufacture and distribute the industry’s leading drainage system, Hydraway drainage.

Availability/Scheduling

You have a busy schedule. We understand. At Intech Anchoring Systems, we work with you to figure out the best time to come out and see you.

Highly Trained Network

Your foundation repair contractor is provided technical solutions, training, equipment and resources to be the trained and trusted in your area.

Financing Options

We understand that the availability of financing options can determine whether or not you are able to make changes to your home that will impact its value in the long run. Intech Anchoring Systems network of dealers offers competitive financing options that can help make the expense of a new foundation more manageable. Ask us about our available financing.

Customer Service

We have happy customers for a reason. Our call center is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. No matter what your question, there is someone available to offer you support.

Intech Anchoring Systems Affiliations & Partnerships

Intech Anchoring Systems provides a competitive edge to our customers by offering superior technical support and always keeping a substantial inventory of products ready for immediate use.

We provide value engineering, competitive pricing, and short lead times to ensure your next bid is a success.

 

Contact Intech Anchoring Systems for a Quote

Tim Comb

President

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.