The foundation of each house has enormous stress placed upon it by the weight of the walls and roof, as well as that of the contents and occupants of the home. In addition, foundation walls also experience pressure from the soil and are exposed to moisture from rain, floodwaters, and melting snow.
If earthquakes and tremors are common in the area, foundation walls may be subject to cracking or damage from these events, as well. No matter the cause, homeowners who find that their home's foundation walls have suffered deterioration or damage can use the following information to better understand how foundation repairs are made.
Adding strength and support through the use of piers
As foundation walls begin to fail, they may appear to bow or buckle under the pressure placed upon them. When this type of issue occurs, it is necessary to find a way to add strength and support to the walls to limit further movement.
The use of piers is one of the most common ways in which foundation walls are strengthened and supported. Piers are available in many types, including helical, steel, and concrete. To determine the best type of pier, foundation repair contractors must consider the type of damage, the weight and stress placed upon the foundation, as well as other factors, including the homeowner's budget.
Helical piers
When the damaged portion of the home's foundation carries a relatively light load, such as providing support for a single-story porch addition, helical piers can be a good repair option. A helical pier is actually a large, steel pin that works like a screw and is driven deep into the soil to add support to a weakened or cracked foundation wall.
Steel and concrete piers
When foundation damage is more substantial, steel and concrete pier systems are often added to provide a permanent source of support and strength. Piers made from concrete do require heavy equipment to drill the holes for installation, a process that can be both labor-intensive and disruptive to landscaping. Steel piers can be as effective as concrete ones while creating less damage to existing landscaping and requiring less time to install.
Additional pier types
Foundation repairs may also use segmented or spot piers to add support and strength to damaged foundation walls. While useful in minor repair situations, these options may not be well-suited for severely damaged foundation walls.
To learn more about using piers for foundation repairs, as well as options to address leaking, cracking, and other issues, homeowners should discuss their situation with a foundation repair contractor in their area.
