HOW DO YOU REPAIR A SINKING FOUNDATION?
To repair a sinking foundation, you will need to install piers. This is a fact that everyone in the industry agrees upon. These are steel posts that are driven into the ground around your home, then secured to your foundation with a steel bracket. Piers hold your foundation in place, so it cannot shift any lower. In some cases, the piers can actually lift your foundation up, closer to its original position. Your home is probably your greatest investment, and you deserve to know and, more importantly, understand what the benefits of push piers are.
WE INSTALL PUSH PIERS
Push piers are intended to be permanent foundation repair solutions. They are supporting structures made of steel, used to restore your home’s stability and prevent further damage. Piers can be installed inside or outside a building, and can usually be installed within a few days, depending on the quantity required.
BENEFITS OF PUSH PIERS
Push piers are heavy tubes that are hydraulically driven through a foundation bracket and into the earth until they reach refusal underneath a home’s foundation. Refusal means they cannot be pushed any farther, compared to ground resistance. They use the building as a counterweight to push or penetrate the pier into the ground.
Once all of the piers are installed, a hydraulic jack pump is attached to each of them. Then they raise the house, aiming to reach as close to the original position as possible. Once that is accomplished, the pier columns are secured to brackets. Also known as maximum practical recovery.
WORK WITH A PROFESSIONAL
There are a number of factors that go into deciding which repair option is right for your home. You should work with a reputable basement foundation company who can thoroughly assess the issues and correctly diagnose the solutions. If your home’s structural issue is not correctly diagnosed, the piers may not be installed in the correct location or using the right method; this wastes your money while leaving you with an unsound foundation.
What are the signs of a sinking foundation?
You need to look for small problems, that may seem like minor issues or a natural part of a home’s settling. These are symptoms that can be overlooked, if you don’t know their significance. Cracks in your foundation, especially on the outside of the home.
Doors or windows that stick they may not open easily or closing them is a struggle. If you have to put a stick in the window to keep it from sliding shut, or a wedge to keep a door open. These are warning signs of a foundation sinking.
Cracks in the interior drywall, especially if they are around doors or windows that stick.
All of these issues occur because the foundation is no longer level. When one corner or side of your foundation sinks at a different rate than the rest, it strains the overall structure of the home. Building materials like concrete, steel, and wood are not flexible.
This is why the doorframes or window casings start to cause sticking, they can’t bend to accommodate the shifts in the structure, so they get pulled out of plumb. The concrete and drywall will start to separate or crack.
READY TO GET STARTED?
Work with an experienced local Des Moines foundation company and make an appointment. Sure, this is sensible advice, but when you are considering piers, it is of critical importance. We cannot stress this enough: you need someone who can properly and thoroughly evaluate your home. Before signing any contracts get multiple bids. Make sure the company is reputable, has the experience and credentials.
WHAT’S THE NEXT STEP?
You can either call us at 515-963-0226 or complete our online form. If you live in Des Moines or the surrounding area, contact BAM Basements and Masons for a free estimate. One of our experienced sales team advisors will evaluate your foundation condition. Once your sales team advisor has determined the causes and issues, they’ll review their findings and recommended options with you. As a team, you will decide on the ideal whole-home solution that is right for you to keep your home strong and healthy for years to come.
BAM Basements and Masons of Des Moines is your premier foundation repair company serving the Des Moines, Iowa area. If you’re located in Des Moines, Ankeny, Bondurant, Altoona, Pleasant hill, Ames, Adel, Waukee, Indianola, Grimes, Urbandale, Johnston, West Des Moines, or the surrounding areas, we’re the place to call. We can help you avoid costly and stressful foundation repair mistakes, by giving you a customized solution that’s going to work for you and your home long term. BAM Basements and Masons of Des Moines is a professional and locally owned and operated state-registered contractor. We offer affordable honest upfront pricing with no hidden costs.
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