Steps Involved In Piering Installation For Foundation Repair
Broadly speaking, foundation failures are caused by serious contraction or inflation in the soil underneath the foundation, which distorts and damages the structure built on it. You can be sure that foundation repairs are called for once you notice cracks in the exterior and/or interior walls, floors bulging, foundation walls bowed/ buckled and doors that do not shut properly.
Most foundation repairs will entail piering and lest you forget, piering requires a great deal of skill and specialized equipment. Foundation piering is a foolproof process that redistributes the weight of your home and foundation to much firmer surfaces deeper down in the soil.
Broadly speaking, there are two proven methods used to reinforce sinking foundations - Foundation Push Piers and Foundation Helical Piers. Once the foundation repair experts inspect your premises, they will be in a fit position to decide which method is appropriate for your home foundation.
The Foundation Push Pier System is helpful in the sense that it permanently stabilizes the foundation and lifts your home back to its original level without too much expense and major disruption. Foundation Push Pier systems use high-strength steel pier sections that are hydraulically driven and capable of reaching far below the defective soils to repair the foundation.
Please know that if you observe interior or exterior wall cracks, a tilted chimney, or window and door frames getting distorted, then you have a much bigger problem on hand. In all such cases, Helical Pier Systems will permanently restore stability to your home’s foundation and lift the structure back to a safer level position.
Helical piers are installed by mechanically screwing them into the soil like a corkscrew with the aid of some simple construction equipment or handheld equipment. Since they are screwed in, they cannot be pushed or pulled out. Once these piers attain the required depth, then heavy-duty steel brackets are installed under the building’s footing.
The steps involved in piering installation can be broadly outlined as below:
- A 3'x4' excavation adjoining the foundation is first created and roughly 10" below the grade beam.
- Any sticky soil has to be removed by scrapping from the footing bottom and the foundation is made even to facilitate proper fit of the support bracket.
- Brackets and hydraulics are then installed and a sleeve to act as a guide is advanced through the support bracket.
- Starter and pier sections are then pierced at a penetration power of about 50,000 pounds of total driving force.
- The last pier section is cut at about 5" above the support bracket and a plate is fastened on top of the pier column.
- The hydraulics are thereafter reconnected and operated in a sequential manner to elevate the structure.
- After lifting the structure to the intended height, the fastening plates and support bracket are permanently fixed to the pier column.
- After making sure the structure is firm and secure, the readings (depth, pressure and elevation) are noted down for each pier.
- The excavated soil is replaced and once again compacted.
- Shrubbery and concrete earlier removed for the pier installation is restored There are many professional elevation companies with certified and experienced personnel undertaking house lifting projects. One of the most reliable long-standing and frontline elevation companies is Southern Elevations & Shoring Inc located at 18 West 24th Street, Kenner, LA, 70062, 504-305-5858.
Southern Elevations & Shoring is fully insured and licensed contractor and their team consists of certified electrical and mechanical technicians. You can contact them on 1 800 LIFT MY HOUSE to attend to your house lifting work. You may also visit www.southernelevations.com for fuller details.
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