Slabjacking And Helical Piers Are Options Your Foundation Repair Contractor May Discuss With You
If your house is built on a slab foundation, the foundation could crack and sink if a void opens in the soil below. If your house is built on expansive soil, such as clay, the frequent expansion and contraction of the soil could eventually weaken and crack your foundation. Here's a look at options a foundation repair contractor might recommend for your damaged slab foundation.
Helical Piers
Helical piers are long metal piers. They are screwed into the ground near the footing of your foundation, and they can be installed inside or outside. Soil has to be dug away from the foundation to expose the footers where each pier will be placed, but there is no extensive digging involved. This makes it possible to use helical piers in most locations.
Once the piers are screwed in the ground until they reach solid soil, they are attached to the foundation footers with plates. This holds the foundation securely and eliminates problems with sinking. If your home is not level, the foundation repair contractor can raise and level your home along with installing the piers. Helical piers are considered a permanent form of foundation repair, so the results should last as long as your house does.
Slabjacking
Raising a sunken slab by mudjacking or polyurethane jacking is a more affordable type of repair, but your foundation repair contractor may warn you that the results may not be permanent. The contractor will discuss the good points and bad points of each type of foundation repair, along with cost considerations.
Slabjacking is done by drilling holes in the slab and then pumping in a cement mixture or foam. The slurry or foam spreads under the slab and fills voids that have formed. As the slurry or foam is pumped in, it also raises the concrete. A foundation repair contractor is able to do such precise work with slabjacking that the slab is level when finished and the cracks are even so they can be filled with hydraulic cement or epoxy.
While mudjacking and polyurethane jacking are similar, the two materials are different, so you'll need to choose the one you want to use along with the help of your foundation repair contractor. Mudjacking is less expensive, but since it's made of cement, it can be heavy. Your contractor has to ensure the soil can support the added weight from mudjacking. Polyurethane is a lighter and stronger material. It can be used to raise heavier loads and it won't break down as fast as the cement mixture. However, this form of foundation repair costs more than simple mudjacking.
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