The foundation, just like any part of your house, is bound to deterioration over time. Unfortunately, since we can’t see the foundation, we aren’t as keen on foundation maintenance like we are on other parts of the house. It’s only when cracks start forming on the slab that we shift our attention to the foundation.
Slab foundation repair and maintenance should be top in your periodic house maintenance exercise. That’s because when your foundation has issues, it compromises the structural integrity of your entire house. So next time you want to skip out on foundation repairs, remember that foundation damage is much more than just cracks on your slab.
This piece is a comprehensive explainer of everything you need to know about slab foundation repair. Read on to find out more about the many causes of slab foundation deterioration and the various repairs for these slab foundations issues.
What Causes Slab Foundation Deterioration
Being a substructure, the foundation is prone to damage from a variety of causes. The most common reasons are climate, poor drainage, the type of soil, and poor compaction.
The cracks we see on our slab foundations may be because of shrinkage, settlement, or frost heaves. Whatever the cause of the cracks, it’s best to address the issue as soon as you can to keep it from worsening.
You’re better placed if you’re always on the lookout for signs of foundation damage. Addressing these foundation issues early is more cost-effective than when the problem is advanced and more complicated. Here are some common signs that your foundation needs drastic repairs.
Cracks on the Slabs or Walls
If you have cracks on the floor, wall, or a broken chimney, then it means that your foundation may have moved. The expansion and contraction of the soil beneath the foundation cause the foundation to move gradually, which results in these cracks.
Now small hair-thin fissures shouldn’t be a cause of alarm. However, if you have large cracks on the floor and walls, then you need to call your foundation engineers ASAP.
When Your Floor Sinks
A sunken floor means that your foundation has settled. The most common type of sinking usually occurs at the center of a room. The marble test will tell you whether part or your entire floor has sunk.
Place a marble at random places on your floor. Check to see if the marble rolls. If it does, then it means your floor is no longer even and has sunk either on one side, or the center.
Upheaval
Upheaval is the opposite of foundation settlement. When your foundation upheavals, part of your foundation, or the entire foundation moves upwards. Lots of things can cause foundation upheaval, but the most common is soil expansion and contraction.
An upheaval has far-reaching effects on the appearance of your house. Upheaval may affect how hallways and doorways look. If you notice the floor or walls appear a bit raised, then you need professionals to check out your slab foundation.
Types of Repairs for Your Slab Foundation
Now that you know how to tell if your foundation needs concrete slab foundation repair, it’s time to learn the repairs.
The kind of repair experts will conduct on your foundation, depends on the situation. There are many ways to tackle issues with slab foundations, here are a couple of them:-
Masonry Patches
Masonry patches are a great way to patch things up with your foundation. It’s the most effective remedy for foundation shrinkage. You can tell there’s foundation shrinkage from cracks that form on the corner or edges of the slab foundation.
Masonry patching basically means filling in the cracks with expanding hydraulic cement. This cement takes care of the shrinkage problem to prevent it from worsening. Foundation shrinkage isn’t a substantial structural issue, but ignoring it could lead to one.
Slabjacking
Most contractors use slabjacking to repair issues with sinking foundations. The concept of slabjacking is very simple. You just fill up the space beneath the sunken foundation with stabilizing foam to restore it to its original position.
The repairmen will drill very subtle holes through the slab foundation. They then fill the materials through these holes until the slab retains its original position. Though it sounds simple in concept, slabjacking is very technical and requires skilled experts for it to be successful.
Steel Piers
Steel piers shook the foundation repair industry the moment they came into the scene. These piers drill deep into the soil beneath the foundation to hold the slab in place. Steel piers are an amalgamation of traditional piers, which were much harder to drill.
Over the years steel pressed piers technology has advanced to integrate with computers. Through site data, engineers can accurately drive the piers into their correct position in the slab foundation. That explains why a lot of people would prefer steel piers as a permanent fix for their slab foundation issues.
Spot Piers
These are great for lightly-loaded establishments like porches or shacks. The method involves digging shallow holes, which you then fill with concrete. The holes are so shallow that you can dig them by hand.
Though a simple fix for slab foundation issues, spot piers are only applicable for structures with light loading. Otherwise, they may not address the problem at hand for heavier loaded buildings.
Polyurethane Foam (High Density)
Polyurethane foam has plenty of application in the civil and construction sector. Apart from building insulation on walls and roofs, polyurethane also moisture-proofs walls and surfaces.
In foundations, polyurethane is a great filler material for settled foundations. The material fills the gap between the foundation and soil when it settles. Using polyurethane foam is a fast and cost-effective method or repairing a foundation, but it’s not without its cons.
First, you must address all plumbing issues before using polyurethane foam because they might enter the pipes and cause blockages. Also, you can’t use them for severe cases of foundation damage.
Always Trust the Professionals for Your Foundation Repair
Once you firmly establish that your slab foundation needs repair work, then call the professionals. They’re much better at fixing the problem, even if it’s just a few cracks. Professionals also come with helpful advice and suggestions on how to maintain your foundation properly.
They’ll also unveil any underlying problems with your foundation that your inexperienced eye might have missed.
For more insightful reads, make sure you check out the other articles on the site.
