Cutting-Edge Foundation Repair Techniques for Kirkland Homes

Identifying Causes of Structural Damage

Before beginning any repairs, a detailed evaluation of the cause of the structural failure is required. In addition to visible evidence such as sticking doors and windows, walls with cracks, or uneven floors, there may be additional underlying factors that have caused the problem. The causes of these failures can vary from poor drainage and tree roots to greater issues of hydrostatic pressure or poor compaction of the surrounding soils. When a contractor identifies the source of the structural damage, he/she will have sufficient information to recommend a suitable method of repairing the structural damage to the foundation of the home. A geotechnical engineer typically provides the necessary soil property data during the initial assessment of the structural failure.

Foundation Crack Injection Methods: Precise Repairs

Non-structural (passive) cracks in the foundation can be repaired utilizing an extremely effective and less invasive method called high-pressure polyurethane or epoxy injection. The procedure involves injecting a special polymer resin into the crack, thereby closing the void completely from the outside to the inside of the crack. The polymer rapidly expands and cures, thereby blocking the entry of moisture into the crack. The flexibility of polyurethane makes it the preferred choice when sealing basement wall cracks due to its ability to accommodate minor future movements. The rigidity of epoxy restores the structural integrity of the concrete; therefore, it is utilized as a more substantial foundation crack injection solution for specific types of cracking.

Structural Support through Underpinning

In cases where the foundation has settled excessively or shifted significantly, structural support through underpinning may be required. Underpinning refers to extending the foundation lower into a more stable layer of soil or bedrock to prevent further settling. Many modern methods of underpinning provide alternative ways to accomplish the same result traditionally achieved by excavating and placing new concrete. Some common methods of underpinning commonly used by Kirkland specialists include steel pier and beam systems or helical piers. These methods allow the contractor to bypass the unstable upper layers of soil and obtain a stable bearing capacity from the deeper soils.

Cost-Effective Solution with Helical Piles

Helical piles, also referred to as helical anchors, represent one of the latest technologies that is revolutionizing the field of concrete foundation repair. Helical piles consist of heavy-duty steel shafts with helix-shaped plates welded to the end of the shaft, similar to large screws. The helical piles are driven hydraulically into the earth until they contact a bearing stratum capable of supporting loads. After installation, the piles are connected to the existing foundation footings via brackets and transfer the structure’s weight from the unstable upper layers of soil to the stable lower layers of soil. One of the advantages of helical piles is the reasonable cost associated with the repair of settling foundations, since the installation of the piles is quick, minimally invasive, and effective in a variety of soil conditions. Additionally, the helical piles provide a long-lasting solution to the structural problems associated with settling foundations.

Repairing and Leveling Pier and Beam Foundations

Many older Kirkland homes were constructed using pier and beam or crawl space type foundations. When structural issues occur in these foundations, they usually manifest themselves as sagging floors and unstable joists. The repair of pier and beam systems involves two primary components: stabilizing the supporting piers and then leveling the floor structure. The first component of the repair may require the replacement of failing concrete blocks with new piers, shoring up weak girders, or installing adjustable steel columns. To level the floor structure, pier and beam foundation leveling contractors utilize hydraulic jacks to gradually elevate the interior floors to their original position and correct the slope of the floors without creating extensive damage to the interior finishes. It is crucial to apply precise control over the lifting process so that all of the floor supports are evenly distributed.

Preventive Maintenance of Your Home’s Foundation

Although repair techniques provide an excellent way to address existing structural issues, the best long-term method of protecting your home’s investment is through preventative maintenance of the foundation. Preventative measures include maintaining adequate soil moisture levels around the foundation through proper gutter operation, directing downspout discharge at least six feet away from the house, and inspecting the foundation perimeter annually to detect new cracks or signs of water infiltration. By addressing poor drainage immediately, homeowners can take the most important step in protecting their investments.

Satisfactorily completing a concrete foundation repair is dependent upon the contractor having the engineering expertise and specialized equipment required to accomplish the repair. The consequences of a poorly completed repair can be too severe to entrust to anyone other than experienced professionals familiar with the complexities of the local soil and building codes. Regardless of whether the repair entails stabilizing a basement wall or installing a helical pile system, the quality of the repair directly affects the future stability of the home. At Kirkland Concrete Concepts, we continue to adopt the most current and technologically advanced foundation crack injection solutions and underpinning technologies to provide superior results for our customers.