Foundation Repair Costs

Each house varies in size, type of foundation, type of foundation damage, and severity of that damage; that is why there are different foundation repair methods to suit every household needs.

Foundation Repair Methods

Concrete Pier

Concrete pier involves forming of concrete columns to support, lift and correct the foundation. It can carry any type of load and lasts as long as your foundation is solid.

It starts with the drilling of 12 inch holes to the ground at 12 to 20 feet and lowering of reinforcement steel bars to it. Next is the pouring of liquid concrete and drying it for at least 7 days to become concrete columns.

When concrete piers hardened, workers will place hydraulic jacks on it to lift the foundation. Once lifted, steel and concrete fillers are placed on piers to support and correct the foundation. After that, workers will remove the jacks, cover the piers and clean the workspace. Alas! The house foundation repairis done.

Concrete Piling

Concrete piling involves inserting ready-made concrete columns to the ground. It is faster than concrete piers because it does not involve drilling, concrete pouring and drying time. It is also cheaper and works as effective as the other foundation repair methods. It lasts as long as your foundation is solid.

It starts with workers digging doormat-sized and 2 feet-deep holes next to the foundation where they will place the concrete cylinder. When the cylinder is in the hole, they will place a high-powered hydraulic ram on it to push it to the soil and when set to the ground, another cylinder will top it to push it deeper. The second cylinder will also be pushed down and a third one will follow, repeating the process until the ground can no longer accommodate cylinders.

Workers will cap the cylinders and hydraulic jacks will sit on the caps to lift the foundation. Once lifted, steel and concrete fillers are placed on the cap to support the foundation. Workers will remove the jacks, cover the work and clean the space after.

Mudjacking

Mudjacking or slabjacking is one of the foundation repair methods involving pumping concrete or injecting polyurethane resins to lift the foundation. The resins form a plastic with expanding gas bubbles that will lift the structure. It is fast – it can be done in a day or two and inexpensive, but it can fill your sewer and inside walls with concrete.

It is only ideal for lighter structures and weak foundations.  It is not advisable to use it on soils with high chances for expansion because it will just push the structure up.

Soil or Chemical Injection

Soil or chemical injection is one of the foundation repair methods that involves injecting small amounts of ammonium salts and potassium ions on the ground around the foundation to keep the soil from absorbing water. The non-toxic chemicals will create a moisture barrier that will prevent soil expansion. It is used to stop the upward movement of a foundation from getting worse.

The solution is pumped from the truck to a manual injection wand at low pressures. It is also applicable in driveways and pavements by drilling ¾ inch wide holes to reach the soil under.

Consult your local foundation repair contractor to find out which among the foundation repair methods is right for your home.