Richmond Concrete Pros - The best concrete contractor in the Richmond area. No job too big or too small. Our Richmond Virginia based operation covers all facets of concrete work from foundations to patios and driveways. We also do stamping, resurfacing, and repair work.
Call us at 804-552-0590 for a free quote.
Call us at 804-552-0590 for a free quote.
Richmond Concrete Pros - Foundation Repair |
The root problem
There are a number of things that can go wrong with a foundation that can get progressively worse over time if not addressed. Proper foundation prep is a technology that has evolved over the years. Building standards are now such that these types of problems are far less common than even 10 years ago. The soil beneath the foundation must be able to hold it solid and not sink and shift. If it does sink or shift, the foundation is likely to start developing cracks and beginning to slowly settle. These can start out as hairline cracks but will eventually grow until you can see through them. They will keep growing and other issues like water penetration under the house, wall cracks, floor settling, and window and door issues will start to occur. The majority of settling problems are caused by water. Varying moisture levels in the soil cause it to swell and shrink, leading to movement below the foundation causing destabilization. Other characteristics or events that could lead to problems are: - Extreme seasonal changes - Poor drainage around the foundation - The soil below the foundation were not properly compacted - The foundation was built on top of certain clays - Tree roots - A plumbing leak in the crawl space Richmond Concrete Pros has the experts on staff to analyze and fix these types of problems. It can be difficult to find a single company that can handle all these different types of problems and issues under a house but we have dealt repeatedly with every one of them. Lets have a look at each one but first lets examine the likely root cause of most of these. If you catch the problem early enough, the foundation can be braced and repaired before too much residual damage occurs. But this is often not the case. Frequently homeowners simply ignore these issues until the problems are severe and obvious. Foundation issues evolve slowly over time, but time is not on your side. |
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Richmond Concrete Pros - Foundation repair, water damage repair and mitigation, basement waterproofing, and drainage system installation
Foundation Repair
There are a couple major types of solutions depending on whether you have a slab or crawl space. For slabs that develop cracks and settling, a process called slabjacking is the most common solution and for crawl spaces a technique called piering is used.
Slabjacking
This involves drilling holes in the slab in a pattern around the failing area and injecting a synthetic lifting solution both into the holes and also into the underlying soil. Special tools are used to get the solution in place. The material expands, filling the void under the slab and also lifting the slab back to the level of the original slab. This is a relatively low cost and quick way to repair slabs. This repair is not impacted by the weather so it can be done virtually any time of year. Additionally the work is contained under the slab, so damage to surrounding areas is minimal. This approach works equally well for any concrete slab, including patios, walkways, and driveways. Richmond Concrete Pros are well versed in slabjacking and can provide you with a quote after looking at the job.
There are a couple major types of solutions depending on whether you have a slab or crawl space. For slabs that develop cracks and settling, a process called slabjacking is the most common solution and for crawl spaces a technique called piering is used.
Slabjacking
This involves drilling holes in the slab in a pattern around the failing area and injecting a synthetic lifting solution both into the holes and also into the underlying soil. Special tools are used to get the solution in place. The material expands, filling the void under the slab and also lifting the slab back to the level of the original slab. This is a relatively low cost and quick way to repair slabs. This repair is not impacted by the weather so it can be done virtually any time of year. Additionally the work is contained under the slab, so damage to surrounding areas is minimal. This approach works equally well for any concrete slab, including patios, walkways, and driveways. Richmond Concrete Pros are well versed in slabjacking and can provide you with a quote after looking at the job.
Piering
This is a crawl space foundation repair and involves concrete or metal posts to bolster the damaged foundation. There are a couple types of piers; Push piers and Helical piers.
Helical Piers
Helical piers look like large screws made of steel. These steel pipes are fitted with helices, or screw-like plates wrapped around the main screw. The helices cause the pier to be pulled into place when being turned rather than pushed into place as the push piers are. For this reason it does not depend on the weight of the structure it is bracing.
These are driven deep under the failing area into load bearing stratum using a hydraulic torque motor, and then lifted using hydraulic jacks to pull the sinking area up to the proper position. The foundation is then sealed in place with wall brackets. Helical piers basically hold the structure in place in a way similar to how a screw holds up a shelf.
These are dependent on good solid load bearing soil to be effective. The foundation expert can keep installing shafts to lengthen the pier until the proper support is found. It does not have to reach bedrock but it does require high density soil.
This is a crawl space foundation repair and involves concrete or metal posts to bolster the damaged foundation. There are a couple types of piers; Push piers and Helical piers.
Helical Piers
Helical piers look like large screws made of steel. These steel pipes are fitted with helices, or screw-like plates wrapped around the main screw. The helices cause the pier to be pulled into place when being turned rather than pushed into place as the push piers are. For this reason it does not depend on the weight of the structure it is bracing.
These are driven deep under the failing area into load bearing stratum using a hydraulic torque motor, and then lifted using hydraulic jacks to pull the sinking area up to the proper position. The foundation is then sealed in place with wall brackets. Helical piers basically hold the structure in place in a way similar to how a screw holds up a shelf.
These are dependent on good solid load bearing soil to be effective. The foundation expert can keep installing shafts to lengthen the pier until the proper support is found. It does not have to reach bedrock but it does require high density soil.
Push Piers
Push piers are galvanized or epoxy-coated steel pipes which are drilled into the foundation with a hydraulic ram until it reached load-bearing stratum. They are then anchored to the wall using pier brackets. The weight of the wall constantly pushing down on the pier acts as resistance mass needed to keep them in place. This creates lift, stability, and encourages leveling of the foundation. The pipes can be reinforced by introducing rebar or a special grout to add yet more strength and stability.
This solution is very useful in tight spaces because the equipment needed to get them put in place is hand held and the piers can be fit together as needed to reach the proper stratum. They work best for brick structures, 2-story homes, or commercial buildings that have more weight. The heavier the building is, the harder the pier is "pushed" into the ground and the more effective it is.
Once a push pier is installed, it cannot be removed. If you add on to your home, you would need to install more piers to support the added weight. Additionally these do not work for cracked of broken footings, largely because they can only be installed vertically. Bowing walls might require angled piers to provide the necessary support, ruling out push piers.
Final Thought Regarding Piers
The best type of pier for your job is dependent on a number of factors. Available space, soil, and repair needs must be assessed before the proper solution can be determined. A Richmond Concrete Pros specialist can look at the job and make a determination on which approach would work best for you.
Push piers are galvanized or epoxy-coated steel pipes which are drilled into the foundation with a hydraulic ram until it reached load-bearing stratum. They are then anchored to the wall using pier brackets. The weight of the wall constantly pushing down on the pier acts as resistance mass needed to keep them in place. This creates lift, stability, and encourages leveling of the foundation. The pipes can be reinforced by introducing rebar or a special grout to add yet more strength and stability.
This solution is very useful in tight spaces because the equipment needed to get them put in place is hand held and the piers can be fit together as needed to reach the proper stratum. They work best for brick structures, 2-story homes, or commercial buildings that have more weight. The heavier the building is, the harder the pier is "pushed" into the ground and the more effective it is.
Once a push pier is installed, it cannot be removed. If you add on to your home, you would need to install more piers to support the added weight. Additionally these do not work for cracked of broken footings, largely because they can only be installed vertically. Bowing walls might require angled piers to provide the necessary support, ruling out push piers.
Final Thought Regarding Piers
The best type of pier for your job is dependent on a number of factors. Available space, soil, and repair needs must be assessed before the proper solution can be determined. A Richmond Concrete Pros specialist can look at the job and make a determination on which approach would work best for you.
Water Damage Repair and Mitigation
The telltale signs that water damage is happening in addition to foundational cracks and cracks in walls and floors is that a musty smell will start to develop under the house or in the basement that doesn't go away. Rot, mold, and mildew will develop from this which can also damage beam and pier foundations.
If you suspect this is going on, getting a professional out to have a look as soon as possible could save you a lot of money and headaches down the road. A specialist can take a deep look, do some testing, and tell you exactly what is going on, how much damage currently exists, and how to fix it. Cracks in the foundation can be sealed using an expanding foam which is easy to apply as a temporary solution though you will want the issue to be addressed and the foundation properly repaired and braced as discussed above to insure the fix in permanent.
A professional can walk the lot and determine where the water is originating from and deal with that also. This can be fixed by installing drainage around and under the foundation to prevent standing water that is often the source of the problem. We have done many of these types of repairs in the past and are familiar with the many types of drains and techniques for removing the water from the area.
The telltale signs that water damage is happening in addition to foundational cracks and cracks in walls and floors is that a musty smell will start to develop under the house or in the basement that doesn't go away. Rot, mold, and mildew will develop from this which can also damage beam and pier foundations.
If you suspect this is going on, getting a professional out to have a look as soon as possible could save you a lot of money and headaches down the road. A specialist can take a deep look, do some testing, and tell you exactly what is going on, how much damage currently exists, and how to fix it. Cracks in the foundation can be sealed using an expanding foam which is easy to apply as a temporary solution though you will want the issue to be addressed and the foundation properly repaired and braced as discussed above to insure the fix in permanent.
A professional can walk the lot and determine where the water is originating from and deal with that also. This can be fixed by installing drainage around and under the foundation to prevent standing water that is often the source of the problem. We have done many of these types of repairs in the past and are familiar with the many types of drains and techniques for removing the water from the area.
Basement Waterproofing
Basement water problems are actually quite common, but they are too often ignored or misunderstood. Even small leaks in a basement can cause big problems like mold or corroding electrical wires and also HVAC issues. These get progressively more expensive to fix the longer they are allowed to fester untreated.
Richmond Concrete Pros has staff specialists proficient in basement waterproofing. Whether the problem originates in floor cracks, pipe penetration, floor and wall joint, foundation wall crack, over top of the wall, mortar joints, tie rods, or window wells, we have both the expertise and equipment to put to the task to stop the leak and dry up the basement.
Interior drainage solutions include vapor barriers, sump pumps, epoxy injections, and drainage systems. These are less expensive than exterior solutions and if installed properly, are very effective at arresting water penetration of your basement.
Another approach, depending on the source of the water and the extent of the damage, is to attack the problem from outside the basement. This approach, while typically more expensive, addresses the problem on the outside of the house insuring the inside stays dry all the time. Exterior waterproofing can be very effective and works for both masonry and poured concrete basement walls.
This technique involves digging away the dirt surrounding the wall, applying a moisture barrier, and applying a board or rubber barrier that serves to deflect the water away from the wall and down onto gravel fill (which also alleviates hydrostatic pressure) to be channeled away through a pipe placed in the gravel. Because it stops seepage at the source, it fully preserves the inside which is attractive to homeowners whose basements are nicely finished and frequently used.
Basement water problems are actually quite common, but they are too often ignored or misunderstood. Even small leaks in a basement can cause big problems like mold or corroding electrical wires and also HVAC issues. These get progressively more expensive to fix the longer they are allowed to fester untreated.
Richmond Concrete Pros has staff specialists proficient in basement waterproofing. Whether the problem originates in floor cracks, pipe penetration, floor and wall joint, foundation wall crack, over top of the wall, mortar joints, tie rods, or window wells, we have both the expertise and equipment to put to the task to stop the leak and dry up the basement.
Interior drainage solutions include vapor barriers, sump pumps, epoxy injections, and drainage systems. These are less expensive than exterior solutions and if installed properly, are very effective at arresting water penetration of your basement.
Another approach, depending on the source of the water and the extent of the damage, is to attack the problem from outside the basement. This approach, while typically more expensive, addresses the problem on the outside of the house insuring the inside stays dry all the time. Exterior waterproofing can be very effective and works for both masonry and poured concrete basement walls.
This technique involves digging away the dirt surrounding the wall, applying a moisture barrier, and applying a board or rubber barrier that serves to deflect the water away from the wall and down onto gravel fill (which also alleviates hydrostatic pressure) to be channeled away through a pipe placed in the gravel. Because it stops seepage at the source, it fully preserves the inside which is attractive to homeowners whose basements are nicely finished and frequently used.
Drainage Systems
A very popular technique to head off foundational water issues before they ever become actual issues is to install a drainage system around the house before water becomes a problem. More and more new home buyers are having these added right out of the blocks to prevent many of the problems listed above, namely foundational settling and cracks, basement leaks, and mold and its associated health risks, not to mention damaged landscape and diminished home value. This is particularly true for homes that are on relatively flat land or ones that get standing water around the foundation after a hard rain. If your home is in the middle of a slope, you have far lower odds of a water problem.
An exterior drainage system can prevent standing water in the yard and channel water away from the foundation. We will discuss a few types of drain systems that we have installed and discuss the pros and cons.
A very popular technique to head off foundational water issues before they ever become actual issues is to install a drainage system around the house before water becomes a problem. More and more new home buyers are having these added right out of the blocks to prevent many of the problems listed above, namely foundational settling and cracks, basement leaks, and mold and its associated health risks, not to mention damaged landscape and diminished home value. This is particularly true for homes that are on relatively flat land or ones that get standing water around the foundation after a hard rain. If your home is in the middle of a slope, you have far lower odds of a water problem.
An exterior drainage system can prevent standing water in the yard and channel water away from the foundation. We will discuss a few types of drain systems that we have installed and discuss the pros and cons.
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The first type is called a French Drain. For what it's worth, these may have been invented in France, but the invention of this style of drainage system is attributed to a man named Henry Flagg French from Massachusetts in the 1860's.
This is basically a trench dug around the foundation, sloping away from the foundation, in which is placed a perforated pipe. The trench is then backfilled with a porous material, typically gravel, to fill the trench and allow the water to pass down into the pipe where it is channeled away from the house where it can be disposed of without causing any harm. |
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The next type is your basic gutter drainage system which most homeowners are familiar with. In its basic form, these are effective at keeping water away from the foundation as long as the ground slopes away from the foundation the whole way around. Most homes are constructed this way from the outset, though ground can settle and change in profile over time, turning an effective installation into an ineffective one.
To compensate for this possible eventuality, the downspout can be installed such that rather than dump water onto the ground or onto a plastic or concrete channel, it can be buried and run 5 or 6 feet out from the house and terminating into a catch basin or discharged onto a slope to insure the water has no way to return to the foundation.
Gutters need to be sized properly to insure that they do not overflow during heavy rains. The wider the gutter opening, the more expensive the gutter is. The gutter sizing is affected by a number of factors including the size and pitch of the roof, and also area weather patterns just to name a couple.
To compensate for this possible eventuality, the downspout can be installed such that rather than dump water onto the ground or onto a plastic or concrete channel, it can be buried and run 5 or 6 feet out from the house and terminating into a catch basin or discharged onto a slope to insure the water has no way to return to the foundation.
Gutters need to be sized properly to insure that they do not overflow during heavy rains. The wider the gutter opening, the more expensive the gutter is. The gutter sizing is affected by a number of factors including the size and pitch of the roof, and also area weather patterns just to name a couple.
Footing or foundation drain. These are effective systems and work similarly to french drains. With this type of system, a pipe is installed around the entire foundation level with the footing. The pipe is a specialized pipe that collects water that would have otherwise sat outside the foundation and drains it safely away from the foundation. This type of drain is also covered with gravel or some other porous substance up to the level of the ground.
It is much less expensive to install these at the time the foundation is put in place. This type of drain has been known to clog over time, and are more effective when used in conjunction with a pump pump. However during times of the hardest rain is when it is most likely the power will go out, and the sump pump will not work without power, so unless the sump pump has a battery backup it might not be effective when most needed.
It is much less expensive to install these at the time the foundation is put in place. This type of drain has been known to clog over time, and are more effective when used in conjunction with a pump pump. However during times of the hardest rain is when it is most likely the power will go out, and the sump pump will not work without power, so unless the sump pump has a battery backup it might not be effective when most needed.
Foundation repair company near me
With today's technologies and well trained experts, these techniques can be employed to fix the problems before they get worse. Richmond Concrete Pros has the trained staff to deal effectively with settling issues. We would he happy to look at your situation and give you the best professional advice available.
Home
With today's technologies and well trained experts, these techniques can be employed to fix the problems before they get worse. Richmond Concrete Pros has the trained staff to deal effectively with settling issues. We would he happy to look at your situation and give you the best professional advice available.
Home