Foundation repair is often misrepresented. There are facts out there that just don't add up. In fact, the people spreading the information have inaccurate information, thus confusing others. We want to sacrifice the obscuring and transport the truth.
Myth #1: A foundation normally cracks because of mistakes made during the building process, like the use of poor-quality concrete or inadequate reinforcements.
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Reality: It's inherent for foundation cracks to occur because poor-quality concrete has been used or because the steel reinforcement hasn't been properly installed. However, even a strong, perfectly built foundation wall can crack from soil pressure or soil settlement.
It's leading to keep in mind that concrete is strong in compression, but weak in tension. It can hold weight from above, but it can't stretch or bend. Expansive soil that's pushing against a foundation wall can admittedly preclude the masonry from stretching or bending and instead, cause it to crack!
If soil settlement has left an empty "void" below a slab or footing, there's a good chance that the unsupported weight of the structure will cause the concrete to crack and settle into the recess. This damage can occur even when the foundation was built correctly.
Myth #2: Most cracks in concrete walls and floors can be effectively repaired with modern high-strength epoxies.
Reality: commercial epoxies have impressive properties. They're waterproof, strong, and equally efficient at sealing joints that are tight or gapped. But epoxies are far from a cure-all in terms of repairing cracked foundations.
A structural crack that has been repaired with epoxy is likely to open up again if the soil conditions that caused the crack haven't been addressed. Experienced foundation repair contractors in the Illinois area know that the first step in repairing a cracked foundation is to stabilize the soil and treat the conditions that caused the crack in the first place.
In many cases, foundation piers or anchors can be installed to associate a damaged foundation to carport soil and even lift or push damaged sections so that cracks can close.
Myth #3: A foundation made from concrete block is more likely to crack or hold damage than one made from poured concrete.
Reality: Foundation repair contractors in Il are familiar with both concrete block and poured concrete foundations. When a concrete block foundation cracks, there's normally a "stair-step" crack pattern that follows along the mortar joints in the middle of each block.
Conversely, a poured concrete foundation can have cracks that expand vertically, horizontally or diagonally. When properly sized and built, a concrete block or poured concrete foundation will have more than enough compel to hold the walls and floors of a home or addition.
If either type of foundation sustains damage such as cracking, bowing or settling, it's normally because of soil conditions rather than a infirmity in the foundation itself.
Myth #4: Mudjacking is the best way to raise a concrete slab that has settled.
Reality: Mudjacking, also known as slabjacking, involves pumping a cement-based mortar under a slab that has settled. Pressure from this injected mortar finally forces the slab to move upward, toward its customary position. While this technique can be used effectively to raise a sunken slab, it's not all the time the best solution. For example, if the soil directly under the sunken slab has poor load-bearing capacity, a mudjacking repair may only be a temporary solution. Instead, an experienced foundation repair devotee may settle to drive steel piers down to stable, solid soil or bedrock at greater depth, then lift the sunken slab back to its customary position using special brackets that are attached to the piers. This technique achieves a more permanent repair because the slab is now supported by carport soil with enough load-bearing capacity.
Four Foundation fix Myths Get Debunked DRYWALL SETTLEMENT
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