This article will acknowledge what causes foundation destabilization and the methods used by the foundation repair company, HydroHelp911, for foundation stabilization, especially for Hickory, NC residents.
The leading cause of foundation destabilization is the soil. The nature of the surrounding soil affects the pressure applied on the walls of the foundation, thus making it unstable. Therefore, proper treatment of the surrounding problematic soils and the preparation of the foundation are essential features that need to be taken into consideration to ensure a robust and stable foundation structure that does not require much maintenance.
What is a Foundation?
As explained by foundation repair specialists at HydroHelp911, the foundation is the lowest part of your home or building structure that does the work of transmitting the load of the building or home to the ground to provide support. The structure of the foundation comes in direct contact with the ground soil.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF FOUNDATION USED IN THE CONSTRUCTION?
The standard foundation types constructed are:
- Basement Foundation
- Concrete Slab
- Crawl Space
TYPES OF FOUNDATION PROBLEMS
There are different types of foundation problems the owners face. They are listed below.
- Upheaval. In this type, the foundation structure or a part of it rises above the original grade.
- Settlement. In this type, the foundation or a part of the foundation will sink unnaturally below the original grade.
These are sources of foundation problems that will lead to damaged basement walls, doors sticking while opening and closing, and the basement.
Foundation Stabilization Repair Methods by HydroHelp911
Foundations are an integral part of your house or building. The foundation’s quality will decide the structural integrity of the building, which depends on the quality and the strength of the soil beneath the foundation.
Causes of Foundation Problems
Two primary sources that will damage the structure of your foundation are:
- Water
- Expansive soil
Now let’s take a glimpse at the foundation stabilization methods that the foundation repair experts at HydroHelp911 use:
PUSH PIERS
In this method, the heavy-duty steel brackets are installed at the bottom of the foundation. Next, the steel piers are hydraulically pushed to the load-bearing soil through the brackets. After the steel piers are put in place, the foundation is lifted and leveled. The weight of the structure is now transferred to the load-bearing soil from the unstable ground.
HELICAL PIERS
HydroHelp911 foundation stabilization team will drill helical piers into the ground till they reach the desired depth. Therefore, the helical pier installation by HydroHelp911 is a good choice where the foundation stabilization project requires a deep foundation structure. In addition, the cost and time taken for helical pier installation are less as compared to traditional concrete piers.
To know what is a Helical Pier. Watch this video.
CONCRETE PIERS
Concrete pier installation by HydroHelp911 in Hickory, NC, stabilizes foundations at homes on the sides of the hills. These houses experience foundation settlement and lateral movement due to soil creep on a large scale. The concrete piers are drilled into the bedrock. The common signs of foundation damage that the houses face are uneven floors, difficulty opening and closing the doors or windows, wet basement, etc.
SCREW JACKS
The owner may see foundation settlement signs even though their foundation appears to be okay. This situation occurs due to the deterioration of screw jacks in the crawl space or when the support posts have been settled. This problem is fixed by using the existing pier blocks and removing or replacing the screw jacks.
The Leading Causes of Foundation Destabilization
It is of common knowledge that foundation problems occur due to water presence or faulty soil. According to HydroHelp911, the need for foundation stabilization arises due to the expansive nature of the earth as this type of soil swells up a lot when water is present in the surroundings as it absorbs the water and shrinks when the soil is dry. This expansion and contraction of soil occur due to seasonal shifts or extreme weather conditions. The differential settlement arises because there is a movement of the soil underneath the foundation.
COMMON SIGNS OF FOUNDATION DAMAGE THAT HOMEOWNERS MUST LOOK FOR
Symptoms of a destabilized foundation include:
- Doors and window panes that are hard to open and close
- Floors that are imbalanced
- Ceilings and floors that have gaps
- Cracks in the floor
- Bowed walls
- Cracks on the walls
- Ceiling cracks
- Rotation in the position of the wall – Wall rotation occurs when the soil surrounding the foundation wall becomes over-saturated with water. The outside edge or the exterior part of the foundation sinks into the soil while the inside edge, i.e., the interior walls, which have drier soil under it – pulls up. That causes the wall to rotate.
- Diagonal cracks are formed from the corners of windows or doors and go up to the ceiling.
- Moldings that have separated from the ceiling or wall.
- Crack formation in the brick.
- Chimneys and porches that have gaps around their frame.
To know if the Water in Crawl Space CanGo Away. Check the video by HydroHelp911.
A foundation is more susceptible to suffer damage if it’s:
- Built on top of expansive soil type – Expansive soil types have a high level of clay or silt in them.
- Built over sandy soil – Sandy soil is more prone to erosion which causes voids below the foundation.
- Built on the soil that wasn’t adequately compacted – Uncompacted soil fails to provide vital support to the structure.
- Built on top of the soil with a poor drainage system – This will cause water accumulation problems in and around the basement.
- In an area with extreme weather changes
- Surrounded by trees – Trees growing near a foundation absorb water from the soil and cause it to dry out and shrink, thus resulting in destabilizing the foundation.
WHY HIRE PROFESSIONALS FOR FOUNDATION STABILIZATION
Since each home or building circumstances are different, our foundation stabilization team at HydroHelp911 in Hickory, NC, will coordinate with the owners and find the best solutions for your foundation repairs. HydroHelp911 foundation stabilization methods have proven and effective strategies for foundation repairs in Hickory, NC.
How do I choose a foundation repair contractor for foundation stabilizing services in Hickory, NC?
The most important thing the owner must do first is to understand the available foundation repair methods. Then you must consider hiring a licensed and authorized foundation stabilization service provider like HydroHelp911, who will make sure that all your foundation repairs in Hickory, NC, are done using the best methods. HydroHelp911 consists of a team of professional foundation repairs experts who will guide your foundation repair process from the beginning to the last stage.
What is the common cause of foundation problems?
The underlying soil conditions cause most of the foundation problems. Shifting soil or expansive clay soil types create problems for homes or buildings with crawl spaces, slab foundations, and complete basement foundation types. When comprehensive soil types become saturated with water, they absorb the moisture, swell up, and push upward into the foundation. And when the soil dries, it shrinks, which causes the foundation to settle. This heaving process will develop cracks in the foundation of your house or building and damage the home’s interior.
What kind of issues will arise due to the foundation settlement problem?
Issues resulting from foundation settlement:
- Damage to the structure
- Loss of real estate value
- Tripping hazards
- Unsightly cracks
- Equipment malfunctions
The foundation settlement will make it a more unsafe place to live in. If you see any signs of foundation damage, do not procrastinate further and contact a professional foundation stabilization company like HydroHelp911 in Hickory, NC.
Is clay soil the only type of soil causing damages and trouble to the foundation?
No, clay soil type is not the only type of soil that impacts the foundation. The next foe to foundations after clay soil is sand. Sand does not provide enough support and cannot bear the structure’s load due to its less compact nature. While sand does not expand and contract, it can be washed away easily, creating gaps below the foundation. Much like the clay soil type, peat is another type of soil that shrinks and expands.
The best soils for providing optimum foundation support are loam and rock types of soil. They are highly compact in nature and do not move, swell or contract.
Should I fix the foundation before selling my home?
If you are looking to obtain a good return upon the selling of your home, your foundation should be in near perfect and well-maintained condition. This includes fixing foundation structure issues.
HydroHelp911, a foundation repair and basement waterproofing company in Hickory, NC, offers a lifetime warranty on transferable maintenance to the new owners. In some cases, you can sell your house as it is; it will just reduce the reselling price of your home.
