Foundation Repair Expert Answers Your Questions

6 Sep

Foundation Repair Expert Answers Your Questions

certain particular repair, you have to decide what is wrong, who will repair it, and how foundation is being repaired. One Connecticut expert answers several important foundation questions: Q: What are the methods of fixing a concrete slab foundation in Connecticut? A concrete slab that has cracked and/or shifted up or down will probably be stabilized with piers and brackets or through mud jacking. The steel piers are installed beneath and or alongside of the slab could connect to the slab to a better load-having soil or a bedrock. Q: Who can I call to repair a stone foundation in CT? A foundation repair contractor who has experience with older houses should be able to handle this type of repair. Sometimes, the existing stone foundation can be repaired. In other cases, damaged sections of the original foundation may need to be replaced with new materials—either poured concrete or concrete block. Q: How do you repair a shifting retaining wall in Connecticut? Some earth behind the wall may need to be removed so that the retaining wall can be pulled back into proper alignment. It may also be necessary to install drain lines that prevent water from building up behind the wall. Q: What is the cost of fixing a foundation in Connecticut? Foundation repair costs can vary greatly, sometimes by hundreds or even thousands of dollars. The cost depends on a number of variables, but the main factors are described below:
  • Foundation type. Some foundation types are more easily repaired than others. For example, a poured concrete wall is usually less difficult to fix than a wall constructed from stone or brick.
  • Area and magnitude of damage. As might be expected, the more extensive the damage, the more expensive the repair is likely to be.
Q: What are the solutions for concrete block wall repairs or cracked brick wall repairs in Connecticut? A foundation repair specialist can provide both repairs. It's important not just to fill cracks in block or brick walls, but to also determine why the cracks have occurred in the first place. If unstable soil and settlement problems exist, you can expect cracks to recur until the structural problems are corrected. Q: Who can I call to repair a stone foundation in CT? A structural engineer for foundation who are very experienced with older houses must be able to handle this type of repair. Sometimes, the existing stone foundation can be repaired. In other cases, damaged sections of the original foundation may need to be replaced with new materials—either poured concrete or concrete block. Q: How do I find a concrete foundation repair contractor in CT? Foundation repair providers, also also known as a foundation repair experts, are being trained in order to correct huge variety of different foundation problems, including concrete foundation problems. Q: Some of the floors in my house are out of level and excessively bouncy. How can I level and make the floors firmer? Many older houses were built using undersized floor joists, which can cause bouncy floors. When the main floor of a house dips out of level, it's often because a foundation wall has settled or because the post-and-beam framing that provides mid-span support has settled. Both settlement problems can be corrected by an experienced foundation repair contractor. Read more in this post: http://www.timdeanconstruction.com/common-misconceptions-foundation-repair/
Structural Engineer by Talon Willis
6 Sep

Common Misconceptions About Foundation Repair

Unfortunately, many homeowners find themselves accepting advice from homeowners with "experience" rather than a trained professional with real experience. While there are many differing opinions regarding how to repair a foundation and which solution is most effective, the below realities are dreamt-up or contrived. These realities are proven fact that we hope will provide a better understanding about foundation repair. It is quite common for all homeowners sharing their battle stories about what was going wrong with its foundation repairs. By then, we share our common misconceptions otherwise known as myths, and debunk them using our professional advice. Below, we investigate proposed myths about concrete block and poured concrete foundations, epoxies and polyurethane sealants, and long-lasting foundation repair. Need more information or have a few questions about something you've heard or seen regarding foundation repair? Continue reading to find who you can contact for the answers to your questions.

MYTH: Replacing a damaged foundation with a new foundation is a more long-lasting solution than repairing a damaged foundation.

REALITY: This is a common misconception that needlessly costs homeowners huge amounts of money. Concrete gains strength as it ages, so an existing concrete foundation will be stronger than a new concrete foundation. An experienced foundation repair specialist will be able to determine what caused the foundation damage and then correct the problem using engineered foundation repair products like steel piers and wall anchors. When these certain products are being installed, the foundation elements like (footings, walls, slabs, concrete stairs, and many more) that have shifted, cracked or settled can usually be jacked back into their original positions. The end result is a permanent repair that's completed more quickly and much more economically than a total replacement job.

MYTH: A foundation made from concrete block is inherently weaker and more likely to crack and settle than one made of poured concrete.

REALITY: The type of foundation isn't as important as other factors, such as soil conditions at the site, the condition of the footing that supports the wall, and how well the wall was reinforced during construction of Structural engineer. Drainage details will also factor-in on how well any foundation wall resists soil and water pressure. When properly constructed, a concrete block foundation is no more likely to sustain damage than a poured concrete foundation. More details here: http://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/foundations/repair-a-foundation/

MYTH: Hi-tech epoxies and polyurethane sealants have made it much easier to permanently repair foundation cracks.

REALITY: Modern epoxy and polyurethane sealants designed for masonry repairs do an excellent job of sealing foundation cracks. Because they are highly adhesive, flexible and strong, these kind of products are usually work effectively compared to an old-fashioned and an ancient art or work called mortar-based for patching compounds. However, there's an important caveat to consider when repairing a cracked foundation. If the conditions that caused the crack aren't addressed, further foundation damage is very likely to occur and an engineering report must done. For example, if a concrete slab cracks because of soil settlement, repairing the crack treats the symptom rather than the problem. Additional cracking will occur as soil settlement continues. To make a permanent repair, a foundation specialist may determine that steel piers should be driven beneath the slab, connecting it to sound load-bearing soil at greater depth.
Foundation Repair by Talon Willis
6 Sep

Can Foundation Repair Be A DIY Job?

When foundation problems begin to appear it is crucial to repair them through a structural engineer as soon as possible. Early foundation repairs may prevent further problems down the road and save money on more extensive repairs. Unaddressed foundation problems may lead to damaged plumbing, buckled walls, and cabinets or mantles coming apart from walls. Worse yet, broken or damaged plumbing may lead to leaks and mold. In our age of do-it-yourself (DIY) and easy-to-follow instructional videos, it can be tempting to attempt foundation repairs on your own. This is not, however, a recommended course of action. There are easy preventative and maintenance steps that can be taken, such as watering your foundation during the dry season, ensuring proper drainage during the wet season. Other best practices include keeping the south and west sides of the home shaded, but also ensuring trees and shrubs are far enough from the house to prevent roots from growing into the foundation. The foundation of home is our most bottom layer that will provide support for the home. Depending of the country’s part, the said size of the home and when it was built, the type of its foundation may somehow vary. The concrete slab of foundations are those that are most common; and some are just built to sustain a crawl spaces and or basements. Aside from that, other types of foundation are pier and a beam, pile as well as spread foundations. Regardless of what type of foundation it is, they all may require repair at any point of their foundation. The signs of much-needed for a foundation repair include cracks in the walls, drywall, bricks, tiles and or even its foundation itself. Other signs are those sticky doorjambs as well as windows, cracking chimneys sloping floors. In many cases, mold may then accumulate within the cracks. Over-saturated kind of soil expands then pushing it into its home and the foundation as well as over time losing its stability, causing its foundation again to move and then crack. To ensure the best possible foundation repair, consulting and hiring the foundation repair professional you feel most comfortable with is essential. Interview foundation repair companies to find their area of expertise and to obtain bids. Based on your research, then ask for referrals to obtain customer insight into the company and process. Ask the companies about warranties, guarantees, how they handle unexpected findings that increase the initial bid and cost estimate. Also, ask them how they propose to repair the damaged foundation and what to expect about the time of the project and any pre-project work you will need to do. Some repairs require that mantels and walls are emptied or basements cleared out. True foundation inspection is best left to a professional who understands the structural soundness of your home, has the most current knowledge, tools and equipment for foundation repair. Repairing your home's foundation isn't only about eliminating cracks in walls or evening sloping floors. It involves getting underneath your home, using heavy equipment and installing repairs that will last. Along the stable as well as staying work repair, your foundation should keep safe. A poorly repaired foundation will not just lead to greater foundation problems and issues, but also compromise the safety of your home and most likely won't pass inspection.
Foundation Repair by Talon Willis