Cracks in your foundation can lead to cracks in your walls.
The foundation of your house is one of its most important structural elements. The foundation not only provides a stable base for the house, it also carries the entire weight of the house and all of the contents inside it. Occasionally, due to things like the ground shifting or moisture seeping into the foundation, it will crack and will need to be repaired. Failure to do so can lead to structural damage in your house itself. Does this Spark an idea?
Patching
Many times, the damage to your foundation begins with something as simple as a crack. This can be caused by slight shifting of the earth or by the ground freezing and thawing. If the crack is allowed to grow bigger, it can allow moisture to seep into the foundation and cause more damage. To repair a crack, install injection ports into the crack about an inch apart for each inch of wall thickness. The injection ports will make it easier for the epoxy to get into the crack. Seal the injection ports and surfaces of the exposed cracks with an epoxy adhesive. Inject the epoxy filler into the injection ports until the crack is filled. Allow the filler to dry, then remove the injection ports with a trowel or hammer.
Slabjacking
If the builder didn't properly compact the soil before laying your foundation, it may begin to tilt in one direction, which can cause structural damage to your house. One way to fix this problem is by slabjacking. Slabjacking is a process in which the concrete slab is floated back into the position it was in when it was first laid. To repair the foundation with this method, a contractor will drill holes into the slab and pump in a chemical which will turn into a waterproof polyurethane foam. As this foam expands, it lifts the slab into its correct position.
Piering
Another way to repair your foundation is by piering. In this method, the ground surrounding the affected area of the foundation is excavated. Piers are placed at key points underneath the foundation where the support is needed. Your house is hydraulically lifted into its correct position and the piers are locked into place. Hydraulic cement is injected into the shaft of the pier to provide more strength to the pier, and grout is injected into the area underneath the piers to provide extra strength and help make the soil more stable. The excavated earth is then backfilled and compacted against the foundation.
Tags: injection ports, your foundation, damage your, your house, correct position, damage your house
