Plano Foundation Repair is necessary to preserve the structural integrity of your home. It’s important to address problems promptly so they don’t worsen or affect other areas of your home.

A professional will assess your property and determine where supports are needed. The supports are installed by digging and drilling holes, pouring concrete (with the pier method known as bell-bottom piers) or pressing pre-formed concrete pilings (the pressed pile method). They lift sunken portions of your foundation back to their original elevation.

Concrete piers are one of the most common solutions to foundation problems. They can lift sinking foundations back to their original place, redistribute the building’s weight to a more stable area, counteract soil pressure and differential settlement, and prevent further damage from occurring. When paired with a drainage system, they can also reduce moisture levels in crawl spaces and increase home value when it comes time to sell.

The best type of pier for your home depends on the location of your property and the local soil conditions. A construction crew will perform a soil test to determine the best pier type for your foundation. They will either use pressed concrete piers or steel piers, depending on the results of the test.

Pressed concrete piers have a load-bearing capacity of 3,000 to 4,000 psi, which is sufficient to lift most buildings. However, to ensure that a concrete pier can resist future movement and shifts in the ground, on-site contractors may add reinforcing bars (rebar). This will improve the pier’s tensile strength, helping it avoid cracking or shifting when the soil moves around it.

Unlike the monolithic poured concrete pyramids that were popular in their heyday, rebar-filled pressed concrete piers are designed to be modular and easily installed in small groups. This makes the pier installation process much faster and less labor-intensive than it is for poured concrete.

When it comes to installing hydraulic piers, the construction team digs holes for them underneath the foundation’s footings (the part of the foundation that spreads out the building’s weight onto more stable soil). Then, a hydraulic ram drives the piers into the ground until they reach the load-bearing strata. After the piers are in place, the crew can use hydraulic jacks to raise the foundation and distribute its weight evenly on all piers.

Concrete piers can last for decades with proper maintenance and drainage. However, soil conditions and other factors can affect their longevity, so it’s important to hire a qualified contractor to install your foundation piers. Look for a contractor with a good reputation, reviews, testimonials, and proof of insurance coverage including liability and worker’s compensation.

Steel Piers

If your home has suffered from a major shift in foundation, steel piers may be the right solution. These piers are driven into the ground until they reach bedrock or another layer of stable soil. Once in place, the piers lift the weight of your building off unstable soil, preventing further movement and stabilizing your foundation.

Steel interlocking piers are highly durable and provide a strong, long-lasting support system for your foundation. They are also less prone to degradation over time, making them a smart investment for your home’s longevity. They also require minimal maintenance, and their impressive longevity means that you can expect to enjoy them for a much longer period than other foundation repair methods.

KC Pro’s steel piers are commonly used to solve structural issues due to foundation settlement. They can be installed quickly and easily, saving you valuable time and money. The installation process begins with an evaluation of the job site to determine pier placements and verify the location of underground utilities. The team then uses quiet, vibration-free hydraulic equipment to install the steel resistance piers. Once the piers are installed, they undergo load testing to ensure that the entire structure is properly supported and stabilized.

The most significant advantage of steel piers is their durability. Unlike concrete, they are not prone to degradation over time and can withstand a wide range of environmental conditions. Additionally, steel piers have high load-bearing capabilities and can support even the heaviest structures.

In addition to their impressive strength, steel piers are also more cost-effective than other foundation repair solutions. This makes them a good choice for homeowners looking to reduce their repair costs without compromising quality. In addition, they have a lower carbon footprint than concrete piers, making them an environmentally conscious option for property owners.

Both steel piers and concrete piers can be used to repair foundation problems caused by shifting soils. However, the type of pier that is best for your foundation depends on several factors, including the extent of the damage and your budget. To make an informed decision, it is important to have a professional evaluate the condition of your foundation and recommend the best solution.

Mudjacking

Mudjacking is a type of concrete leveling that involves pumping mud underneath sunken concrete to lift it up. This can be used to fix cracked sidewalks, uneven patios, sunken porches, and sagging parking lots. This method of foundation repair is less invasive than replacing a slab or pouring new concrete, and it can also be much more cost-effective than other techniques like polyurethane foam injection.

However, there are a few things you should know about mudjacking before considering it as an option for your home. First, mudjacking can lead to heaving of the surrounding soil. This can cause the slab to heave upward and potentially break the surface of your home’s foundation. This is because the void fill material used in this type of lifting process is heavy, which can put extra pressure on the soil underneath the slab. If this is not handled properly by a professional, it can lead to serious problems in the future.

Second, mudjacking can be less effective than other concrete lifting methods because the slurry mixture used to lift a slab is made of natural materials that will eventually decompose and lose their strength. This means that the mud will eventually need to be replaced, which can be costly and time-consuming. Finally, mudjacking requires larger holes to be drilled into the foundation than other methods such as polyurethane foam injection, and this can make the job more invasive and less aesthetically pleasing.

If you’ve noticed a sagging foundation in your home, it’s important to consult with a professional as soon as possible. They can help you decide whether a sagging foundation is right for you and recommend the best solution. When in doubt, always go with a professional, as a misdiagnosis can lead to expensive and unnecessary repairs in the long run.

Uneven walkways and driveways are a common problem that many homeowners face, especially in the Texas area. These problems can be a big tripping hazard for you and your guests and may even lead to water damage. In the worst cases, these issues can also lead to a sinking house foundation.

Foundation Leveling

A home’s foundation may shift over time, resulting in uneven floors or tilting sections of the building. Often, this is due to soil conditions or improper construction that causes the foundation to sink into the ground and lose its stability. Foundation leveling brings the house back to its original height, addressing cosmetic and functional issues that result from the movement.

Whether you have a home with obvious signs of foundation damage or just some minor symptoms like misaligned doors and windows, gaps forming between wall corners, or a chimney that is pulling away from the house, these issues need to be addressed as soon as possible. Ignoring them will only make the problem worse, leading to further structural problems and costly repairs later on down the road.

In some cases, stabilization is a better choice than leveling, especially in homes that are being remodeled or have already had extensive work done on them. Harriet’s example of a recent remodel would fit this scenario. She wouldn’t want her foundation repairs to ruin the wow-factor renovation she paid for and invested in.

While there are many scenarios where leveling is the best option, it’s important to have an experienced and reputable foundation repair contractor handle this task. It is not something that can be easily done by a homeowner and could cause further structural damage to the home if it is performed incorrectly.

Leveling is a process that uses specialized equipment and techniques to bring a house back to its original position. It involves removing soils around the house to expose the concrete foundation and then using various methods such as push piers (steel piers that are driven into stable soil or bedrock to lift the foundation), slabjacking (a method where a grout mixture is pumped under the foundation to fill voids and lift it), and polyurethane foam injection (high-density polyurethane is injected under the foundation to fill voids and stabilize the foundation). In some cases, helical piers may also be used.