Many homeowners overlook cracks in their foundation, but even small ones can lead to serious problems. If left unaddressed, they can cause doors and windows to stick and become tripping hazards.

A handyman may be able to fix that sagging basement wall, but repairing structural damage requires special tools and training. Contact Apex Plano Foundation Repair for professional help.

A concrete slab is a flat and solid building foundation that distributes the weight of a house’s contents evenly across its surface. These structures are often used for buildings in climates where frost and moisture heave may cause shifting or sinking of the soil beneath the structure.

Slab foundations can be reinforced with steel bars for increased durability, making them suitable for use in a variety of different construction applications. This includes constructing terraces for outdoor living, garden paths, and sidewalks. Slabs also make ideal bases for basements, garages, and modern industrial-style homes.

While slabs provide a cost-efficient alternative to other types of foundation, they can still be subject to a number of issues. These include:

Cracks: While hairline cracks are normal, wide fissures indicate serious structural problems and require prompt repair. If left untreated, these flaws can enlarge over time and compromise the integrity of your home’s foundation.

Uneven or Settling: Slabs can develop an uneven appearance as the soil beneath them shifts and settles, affecting the entire house. This might manifest as sagging ceilings and bowing walls.

Lack of Crawlspace: Since slabs are typically closer to the ground than other types of foundations, ductwork for heating and air conditioning must be run through the structure’s walls. Without a crawlspace, these components are exposed to moisture and termites, and they must be heavily insulated to maintain their performance.

Concrete Piers

Piers are structural supports contractors use to strengthen and stabilize foundations, preventing damage and settlement. They also improve load-bearing capacity. When properly installed, piers can last well beyond the 30-year mark. However, there are a few issues homeowners should consider before choosing this solution.

Concrete piers can be used to support many types of structures, including homes and buildings. They’re drilled into the earth to a depth that’s determined by an engineer and typically depends on the soil type. They’re able to support both lateral and axial loads. They can even be used in areas with karst, expansive clay soil, cobbles or areas prone to liquefaction.

Drilled concrete piers are an excellent choice for sloped lots because they help prevent lateral movement in the soil underneath the house. This movement can cause issues like sagging floors and sticking doors or windows. Foundation piers are also an effective solution for hillside homes that experience lateral movement due to soil migration downhill.

Steel piers are another great option for homes with problematic soil because they can be driven deeper into the ground than concrete piers. They’re also less likely to corrode underground, which can be a concern with older concrete piers. Like concrete piers, steel piers can be used to support both lateral and axial loads and are able to handle seismic and wind loading. Like concrete piers, they’re also long-lasting, which can be a benefit for homeowners.

Steel Piers

Steel piers are robust structural elements that are driven deep into the earth to support a foundation and prevent settling. KC Pro offers several different types of steel piers, including push and helical, each designed for different soil conditions and structural needs.

The most important benefit of steel piers is their incredible strength. They can withstand much greater loads than concrete piers, making them a more permanent solution. Additionally, they can be installed up to 10 times deeper than concrete piers, which means that they can reach the load-bearing bedrock, providing more stability overall.

Another advantage of steel piers is their ability to transfer weight from the structure to the underlying soil. This is important because it helps to reduce shifting and settling, which can damage the foundation over time. In addition, the installation process is relatively quick and easy compared to other methods, minimizing disruption for homeowners and occupants.

While steel piers offer a number of advantages, they can be more expensive than some other solutions. However, the benefits of steel piers can often outweigh the initial cost. In addition, if the piers are properly installed and well-maintained, they can provide long-term support and stability. This can help to extend the lifespan of your home or building and improve its resale value. The best part is, that the investment in steel piers can easily pay for itself through reduced future repairs and maintenance costs.

Concrete Injection

Crack injection can be used to repair a wide variety of failure points in concrete foundation walls and other poured structures. It uses epoxy or polyurethane resins to penetrate deep into the crack, expand, and create a strong seal. This helps to prevent leaking that can cause further structural damage.

This technique is ideal for residential foundations as it doesn’t disrupt the home and can be completed quickly. It is also more cost-effective than a full foundation replacement and can save homeowners thousands of dollars.

Injection ports are installed along the length of the crack and sealed with an adhesive. Crack injection is then injected at low pressure to ensure that the epoxy or polyurethane gets fully into the crack. When the crack has been repaired, the injection ports are removed and the surface is smoothed for a clean finish.

The benefits of polyurethane foam injection include being environmentally friendly and long-lasting. It does not contain any harsh chemicals and can be used in many different applications. It can be used to repair cracks in concrete slabs, sidewalks, roads, and other poured structures.

While it is possible to do DIY crack injections, it is best to leave this task to a professional. It is essential to use high-quality materials and have a good understanding of the underlying issue that has caused the cracking. This way, the problem can be addressed at its source and the results will be long-lasting.

High-Density Polyurethane Foam

Polyurethane foam has become an efficient alternative to other types of foundation repair for homeowners. Like mudjacking, it uses an injection method to lift sunken concrete slabs back to their original level, but it is more effective and less invasive than other traditional methods. It also offers superior strength compared to other lifting options.

First, technicians prepare the area by drilling penny-sized holes throughout your concrete slab. These holes are the injection sites for the foam. Once they are injected, the foam expands into the empty spaces beneath your concrete, and it lifts and stabilizes the slab. Then, technicians monitor the lifting process to ensure that the concrete is lifted at a rate that is safe and steady.

Unlike other concrete lifting solutions, such as hydraulic cement, which requires lengthy and costly cleanup procedures, polyurethane is non-toxic and water resistant. In fact, its hydrophobic properties make it ideal for areas that are prone to heavy rainfall or water penetration from underground sewer pipes.

Moreover, it is much faster than other concrete raising techniques, usually completing projects in a few hours and minimizing the amount of downtime your home or business must endure. In addition, the flexibility of polyurethane allows for precise control over the lift. This means that, if your foundation needs more lifting or support, technicians can adjust the density of the foam during the injection process to provide you with an even and stable surface.

Pier Support

With pier and beam foundations, one of the key problems is damage to the wood beams. This can occur from wood-eating pests like termites or from water, mud and other soil conditions that can cause structural shifts and sagging.

Fortunately, a number of different repair methods are available for repairing a pier and beam foundation. One method, reshimming, involves adding wood shims beneath the foundation to distribute weight evenly and help minimize differential settlement. This repair costs an average of $1,200 to $1,800 per sagging area of the home.

Another way to stabilize and lift a foundation is through the use of concentric load-bearing piers. During this process, steel brackets are attached to the foundation footer, and hollow, push piers (pipes) are driven down through these brackets until they reach stable supporting soil layers or bedrock. A hydraulic lifting system then lifts the structure back to its original position, stabilizing the foundation and preventing future movement.

When choosing a professional for foundation pier installation, be sure to choose one with a reputation for quality work and customer satisfaction. Make sure they are licensed, insured and a member of reputable industry organizations that demonstrate their commitment to high standards. Also, ask about their warranty and aftercare services. This will ensure that your investment in foundation piers is protected. It’s also a good idea to check with your insurance company to see if any of these significant repairs are covered under your homeowners’ policy.