Concrete foundations give your building a solid, long-lasting base. They’re tough and strong, so they can support a variety of building types. Like any foundation, however, concrete models are prone to certain problems. By understanding common concrete foundation repairs, you can be prepared to act early and solve the problem quickly.
1. Piers to Stop Settling
Setting is a common foundation problem that happens when your concrete foundation slowly sinks into the ground. This happens because of the weight of the slab and the building on top of it. As your foundation settles, it can cause problems ranging from cracks in the walls to doors that don’t close properly. To repair the settling foundation, you’ll need to install piers. These beams are installed in the soil under the foundation; they provide extra support and prevent it from sinking deeper into the ground.
2. Epoxy Injections to Fill Cracks
Cracks happen when your foundation settles; they can also happen when there’s too much water in the soil around the concrete. When the cracks are due to settling, the repair is usually support piers. When they’re happening because of water problems, you may need two repairs. First, you can use epoxy injections to fill the cracks and improve the strength of the foundation. After that, you may need to deal with the soil around your foundation to improve drainage and reduce pressure.
3. Drainage Improvements to Resolve Upheaval
Upheaval happens when all or part of your concrete foundation gets higher. This rising action usually happens when there’s too much water under the foundation. In that case, the extra water can lift parts of the concrete. The repair for this problem is usually to fix the drainage under the foundation.To improve drainage, you may need to install new perimeter and base drains, along with more drain pipes to divert water away from the house.
4. Foam Leveling to Fix Uneven Foundations
When parts of your foundation are uneven — which usually happens due to settling or upheaval — one repair option may be to use high-density polyurethane foam. Like piers, the foam helps lift the foundation until it’s even. Instead of using massive construction equipment, however, the foam is easier, cheaper, and faster. It’s injected under your slab. That way, it fills holes and provides extra support.
Problems with your concrete foundation can happen for a variety of reasons, which often stem from the ground and the water. Fortunately, it’s often possible to fix these problems before they damage your building. By keeping an eye out for warning signs, you can conduct repairs quickly.