As we covered in the last blog post about when to worry about cracks in your home or foundation, we established that there are times when to worry about cracks in your walls or ceiling, and when it isn't a structural problem.
Today let's talk about what we do as professional foundation repair experts to fix a home with a sinking foundation.
Foundation cracks are repaired using various methods, including underpinning with push piers, helical piers, drilled concrete piers, or slab piers. Wall cracks can be repaired directly using wall anchors, carbon fiber wall straps, epoxy, and steel I-beams.
Foundation Underpinning Using Piers
Underpinning a foundation means anchoring it to soil that can support it. Once a foundation with differential settlement is firmly anchored to load-bearing soil, hydraulic jacks lift it back up. As it’s raised, the cracks close.
Push piers (also known as resistance piers) are the most popular method for underpinning a settled foundation. The piers are driven deep down until they reach load-bearing soil. Once they’re in place, hydraulic jacks are used to lift the building.
Helical piers get their name because they look something like giant screws. They’re turned into the soil until they reach the load-bearing strata. Hydraulic jacks attached to the piers then lift the building back up.
Foundation wall crack repair
Basement foundation walls Excess water in the soil around a home can cause a lot of trouble. If the water doesn’t have a way to drain off, hydrostatic pressure will build and press against the wall. If this isn’t relieved, the wall will eventually start to bow inward and even crack. C-channel wall anchors, wall plate anchors, carbon fiber wall straps, I-beams, and epoxy are used to repair cracks in basement foundation walls.
Crawl space foundation walls When foundation cracks appear in poured concrete walls supporting a crawl space foundation the cause is usually foundation settlement. Foundation piers are the most effective solution to combat this. Carbon fiber patches can be applied to structurally reinforce the cracked concrete. This seals the crack and ensures that the crack will not worsen over time.
As we said at the start of this article, if you Googled “cracks in foundation when to worry,” you’re not alone. The best way to set your mind at ease is to contact an experienced foundation repair contractor for an inspection and estimate.
(Most contractors will do an inspection for free.)
They’ll be able to tell you if the cracks are structural or non-structural and your repair options.
If you’re in our service area in Utah, contact us for a free inspection and estimate.
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