The 7-Minute Rule for Foundation Repair Austin Tx

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All homes are at risk for foundation issues, so it is important for all homeowners to understand the issues that may occur, what can cause foundation issues and how to get them fixed. There are four primary types of foundation cracks. It is important to accurately identify the crack so that you can narrow down the cause and use the proper repair methods.


Some vertical cracks are slightly diagonal but are no more than 30 degrees of vertical. These are the most common type of crack and most home foundations have at least one vertical crack. Under compression, concrete is very strong, but under tension, it can crack easily. From a structural standpoint, this type of crack is often not a big concern.


A diagonal crack appears as approximately 30 to 75 degrees of vertical. In many cases, these cracks will be narrow at one end and wider at the opposite end. Differential settling is the most common cause of this type of cracking. This type of settling occurs when the conditions of the ground below the footings of the foundation change.


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When this occurs, the foundation experiences a higher level of tension, resulting in a crack. Essentially, the foundation is moving in two directions. Excessive drought conditions or rain and soil changes can cause this. Homes built on hills are also at a higher risk for diagonal cracks. Horizontal cracks run side to side.


They are most often seen in brick and concrete block foundations. They result from the home’s foundation bowing. The exterior wall of the foundation is often covered when gravel and dirt is back filled into the area. When the back filling is not properly performed, there can be too much compression or inadequate drainage.


If it rains that then a freeze occurs, inward bowing can result if the hydrostatic pressure increases too much. If horizontal cracks are not fixed promptly, there is a risk that the house can collapse due to the foundation structurally failing. This type of crack resembles stairs. They generally occur above the foundation on the exterior wall.


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Like diagonal cracks, they result from differential settling. These cracks are usually not serious if they are in the mortar joints located between the block or the brick. However, if the crack goes through the blocks or a block or brick is displaced, it can be more serious. Since they have the potential to be problematic, it is important that they are evaluated promptly.


Natural disasters are a major factor since things like tornadoes and earthquakes can damage the foundation’s structural integrity. Flooding is another issue. It can cause an increase in the hydrostatic pressure, and when the pressure gets too intense, cracks, bowed walls and leaks can occur. In addition to natural disasters, temperature changes and weather, the following factors can put your home’s Discover More foundation at risk for damage: If you have a plumbing leak in your home, this could eventually result in foundation walls shifting.


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When your home was constructed, if inferior concrete and insufficient steel were used, the foundation slab is at risk for movement. This problem can be made worse during times of drought or heavy rain. Improper drainage is one the biggest reasons for foundation problems. This is because high levels of concentrated moisture can cause erosion or soil settling, resulting in basement leaking and foundation cracks.


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The two main culprits are improperly compacted soils or using low-density soils. Whether your homeowner’s insurance covers visit this website foundation damage typically depends on the root cause of the damage. For example, if a natural disaster causes damage to your home’s foundation, it is likely covered as part of the reconstruction process.




Driven: Galvanized or epoxy-coated steel pipes connected together and driven with a hydraulic ram into the deep, load bearing soil beneath a foundation to raise and support it, and prevent settlement. Helical: Steel pipes with spiral blades on the lower ends. The front section has one or more helixes (spirals) attached, giving the necessary bearing capacity and the piles are twisted into the ground with a hydraulic torque motor.


In both methods, steel piles are driven into rock or a similar soil – deeper than concrete is placed – and are connected to the foundation using a metal head assembly. Once a strong enough bearing capacity is reached, the piles are tested with more pressure than what’s necessary to support the structure to ensure they can withstand the weight.


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After the structure is elevated to the desired level the piles are bolted/welded to wall brackets, securing the structure on the new elevation (ref: Concrete Network). Concrete Press Piles– Preset concrete columns pushed into the ground under a foundation to support it. These are installed faster than concrete piers, are less expensive than steel piles and can be used immediately following installation, as opposed to Concrete Piers, which must harden; however, because the piles are unconnected and made of concrete, they are more susceptible to shift. slab foundation repair austin.


The news process, though, is messy, labor-intensive and takes approximately three weeks to properly install since the concrete must harden, and nothing can interfere with the pier while it is hardening – and knowing when these piers reach bedrock or a similar load bearing strata is sometimes difficult. Although these may seem like reasonable methods, concrete is not a good material for supporting foundations. foundation repair austin tx.

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