When foundation issues strike, most homeowners are left in shock with little idea of what to do. That’s understandable. This is the underlying structure keeping your entire home together, after all.
However, there are a lot of things that can be done to repair your foundation and prevent further damage.
At PermaTech Foundation Repair, we use a variety of foundation underpinning methods to restore your home’s foundation and give you back your peace of mind.
Here are some of the best ways to underpin your home’s foundation.
About Foundation Underpinning
Underpinning is an umbrella term that covers most types of foundation repairs. At least, the more permanent repairs fall under the underpinning category.
Underpinning describes any time the existing foundation is expanded to reinforce the existing foundation while providing more even weight distribution across a larger surface.
This includes every repair method we’ll be talking about today, and it’s what is most commonly done to repair the majority of foundation issues outside of minor cracks or such extensive damage that the foundation is simply done for.
1: Concrete Pressed Pilings
This is the most affordable type of pier-based foundation repair but also one of the most limited.
Concrete supports are pressed into the ground and extend beyond the existing foundation with this repair method. The issue is that the concrete isn’t as long-lasting as the other pier-based methods we’ll be talking about, and they only work in softer soil.
This limits who can leverage this cost-effective solution to a fairly small demographic.
2: Steel Piers
Steel piers are easily the most effective and versatile underpinning method available, but they’re also not as cost-effective compared to concrete-pressed pilings.
With steel piers, you get a permanent repair solution, and you’re not limited by the type of soil around your home.
The piers can effectively be pressed through even the hardest soils to provide long-term results.
3: Hybrid Transition Piers
Hybrid transition piers combine both of the most desirable traits of concrete pilings and steel piers. As the name suggests, these piers are made of both steel and concrete. The steel portions are used where strength and durability are needed most, but they transition into concrete to help cut costs without sacrificing too much quality.
These can be used in most types of soil, last a long time, and can be installed at a great price point. Overall, this is a middle-of-the-road solution in most cases.
4: Pad and Block Supports
Pad and block supports are traditional foundation underpinnings that can be found on a lot of older homes, and they’re a big reason why many older foundations are in such great shape, today.
This method includes using large, concrete pads combined with blocks to elevate the home and evenly distribute its weight across a much more stable surface area.
This is a great option to look into if you want to upgrade your more modern home to enjoy long-lasting benefits and avoid repairs in the future.
5: Drilled supports
Some buildings simply don’t work well with the other methods we’ve described. They’re too small to withstand hydraulics inserting large piers, and doing so can cause more damage.
This is where drilled supports come in.
For this method, we bore holes through the soil and into the existing foundation. From there, we pour in concrete and reinforce it with steel bars to provide an in-spot built support. There’s no risk of damaging the foundation.
However, there is a major drawback. The support holes can only be drilled up to 12 feet, and that’s simply not enough for some structures.
Complementary Solutions for Foundation Underpinning Methods
Getting your foundation repaired isn’t just a great feeling when it’s finally done. It’s essential if you don’t want your home to fall into disrepair.
However, simply reinforcing the foundation might not be enough. If there are environmental issues that caused the foundation problems in the first place, those issues might persist and slowly damage the new underpinnings, as well.
Here are some solutions that perfectly complement even the best foundation underpinning methods and provide all-around long-term results.
1: Drainage Solutions
Water is one of the main sources of damage when it comes to foundations. Not only can it erode the concrete used to make blocks, pads, and slabs, but it also affects the ground. The ground can expand and contract, or it can shift dramatically, and that causes the foundation to move or its weight to be distributed unevenly.
Installing a drainage solution ensures that water is properly handled as it enters the soil and is dispersed in a way that minimizes this risk.
Having a proper drainage solution installed is a good idea, even if you don’t need any major foundation repairs at the moment. It can help your foundation last longer and save you money in the long run.
2: Root Barrier Systems
If you have trees around your home, their roots can grow much larger than you think. Eventually, they can spread underneath your home and cause a major shift in the soil and the foundation, and they can even start growing into cracks and spreading them further open.
Root barrier systems provide an extra layer of protection against this so you can keep your trees on your property without worrying about them causing costly damage in the future.
How to Pick a Foundation Underpinning Method
While we’ve shared information about each of these foundation underpinning methods and some of the reasons each one is used, it’s still not a decision you make on your own.
Many technical factors affect which method is the right choice for your home, and it’s always best to have a professional inspect the foundation, structure, and surrounding soil to determine which method can correctly solve the problem.
If you’re looking to get your foundation repaired, contact us today and talk to our team about getting a proper inspection.
