Foundation is an integral building element that is directly connected with the ground. It transfers the load of the building to the ground and stabilizes the structure. The foundation repair methods are given below:
1- Slab Jacking:
Slab jacking is a method to lift a sunken concrete. It is a standard method for homes that are constructed on a concrete slab. In this method, a pattern of holes is drilled on the strategic location of the concrete. After drilling, a specific solution is pumped into the holes. The mixture fills the void beneath the concrete, and in this way, it is lifted.
The new concrete material strengthens the base. It produces no waste as compared to the replacement option for the foundation. An expert contractor in Raleigh can complete this job quickly. The filling should be done with extra precautions as it may lift the foundation, or new cracks could also appear.
2- Piering:
It is a foundation repair method in which steel pipes are galvanized and drilled into the foundation with the help of a hydraulic ram to provide support to the sinking foundation. It is an affordable, accessible, and minimal disruptive method. It does not require any heavy machinery. It is necessary to hire a contractor for load testing before piering; otherwise, it could cause non-bearable damage to a building. There are also different types of piering.
· Pressed Concrete Pilings: Their installation requires deep driven concrete support up to 12 ft in the foundation. They are more suitable for beam houses. They are durable and used for both exterior and interior repairs.
· Poured Concrete Piers: The piers are driven up to 10 ft deep in the foundation in this method. This method takes more time than the pressed concrete method as it does not use pre-cast concrete.
· Belled Concrete Piers: These are identical to that of poured concrete piers. The only difference is that the bottom of the dock is designed like a bell shape to provide more stability to the foundation.
3- Sealants in foundation repair:
Sealants are used to fix minor cracks in the structural walls It is only favorable with minor damages. The standard adhesives used in repair services for this purpose are hydraulic cement, epoxy and polyurethane.
4- Soil Modification
In this method, we make soil stiffer and stable than the previous. The gaps in the soil are filled with special chemicals. It is not a commonly used process as it is not cost-effective. Moreover, a geological engineer is required to do feasibility checking. Otherwise, the process may fail. The benefit of this process is that it is long-lasting, durable, and environmentally friendly. Its maintenance cost is also very high as compared to the other foundation repair methods.
5- Mudjacking
It is a traditional method that requires extensive excavation. When interior foundation repair is not possible, expert foundation contractors in Raleigh suggest this as concrete leveling methods. Multiple holes are dig inside the affected area and then these holes are filled with cement slurry.