The foundation of a house is its most important structural component. It supports the entire structure's weight and provides stability, ensuring that your home remains level and upright. However, over time, various factors can cause foundation damage, resulting in cracks, sinking, or shifting. If your home's foundation shows signs of wear and tear, it's critical to address the problem before it worsens. To this end, here is some information about each of the different types of residential foundation repair so you can make an informed decision.
Foundation Piering
Foundation piering is a method of lifting and stabilizing a sinking foundation. The process involves driving steel or concrete piers into the ground beneath the foundation until they reach a stable layer of soil or bedrock. These piers can either be drilled into the ground or driven hydraulically. Once the piers are in place, the weight of the foundation is transferred to them, lifting and leveling the structure.
Foundation piers are classified into two types: push piers and helical piers. The procedure entails driving steel or concrete piers into the ground beneath the foundation until they reach a stable layer of soil or bedrock. Helical piers, on the other hand, are screwed into the ground with a torque motor and are ideal for foundation stabilization on uneven terrain.
Slabjacking
Slabjacking, also referred to as mudjacking, is a method of leveling a sinking concrete slab foundation. The process involves drilling holes in the concrete slab and then pumping a mixture of water, cement, and sand beneath it to lift and level it. Slabjacking is a cost-effective solution for fixing minor foundation issues and is often used for patios, sidewalks, and other smaller concrete slabs.
Concrete Resurfacing
If your foundation is showing signs of surface wear and tear, such as cracks or flaking, concrete resurfacing may be the solution for you. A thin layer of concrete is spread over the existing foundation to make a smooth, strong surface. This not only makes your foundation look better, but it also keeps the structure beneath it safe from further damage.
Foundation Replacement
Lastly, in some cases, foundation repair may not be enough to solve the problem. If the foundation is severely damaged or unstable, then foundation replacement might be the only option. This process involves completely removing the existing foundation and replacing it with a new one. It's more expensive and takes longer, but it's the best way to fix big problems with the foundation.
For more information on foundation repair, contact a professional near you.