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Are you a property owner asking how long does foundation repair take? If so, you’re not alone! In addition to its cost, property owners are often concerned with a repair’s overall timeframe. Also, many people wonder if foundation repair is disruptive and if they can be on the property during those fixes.
Your foundation contractor is the best information source when it comes to your property and needed services. First, however, you might note some average timeframes for various foundation methods. You’ll then know what to expect regarding your property’s residential foundation repairs!
Minor crack and leak repair typically don’t take more than a day. First, a contractor might chip away at minor cracks, even making them bigger so they will hold patching materials. Next, the contractor cleans the crack thoroughly.
Then, they insert injection ports, which push epoxy filler deep into the crack. The contractor then injects filler into the ports and other crack areas. Lastly, the repair contractor scrapes any excess epoxy and removes those ports.
Foundation leak repair might take a full day or two. First, a contractor creates excavations around the damaged foundation. Second, they usually apply a waterproof membrane around the foundation concrete. Then, they will usually replace weeping tiles or pipes surrounding the foundation.
These pipes collect moisture around the foundation and redirect it away from the structure. Damage to these pipes allows water to pool around the foundation, risking leaks. After replacing them, the contractor then fills in the excavations.
Severe foundation damage requires more extensive repairs. Extensive foundation methods, including leveling and underpinning, usually take 1-3 days to complete, depending on your property’s size. Also, weather conditions can affect how long it takes to complete needed excavations.
First, a contractor might suggest slab jacking or leveling. Second, they might use leveling along with underpinning or piers. These repair methods ensure a strong foundation under your structure when used together.
To start slab jacking, a contractor starts by drilling under the foundation. Next, they inject slurries into those excavations. This material floats a structure back into position and then dries and hardens.
Underpinning uses steel pins injected into the ground next to or under the structure’s foundation. These pins then attach to the foundation, keeping it level and firm. A contractor can also use concrete-poured piers in the same manner.
Contractors typically recommend carbon fiber straps for repairing bowing basement walls. They attach these straps across those walls, keeping cracks and bowing from worsening. In most cases, attaching straps to your property’s basement walls only takes a day or two.
However, your repair contractor might also recommend added crack patching and waterproof coatings. These services ensure your basement walls stay strong after their repair.
To prepare for foundation repair, ask your contractor if they’ll need permits and how long they’ll take! Some primary repair methods require permits which can take weeks to obtain. Also, note that excavation usually requires contractors to pull up landscaping features. Even though they typically replant these items, you might remove them if needed.
Also, ensure that contractors have full access to areas around your property as needed. For instance, you might keep cars out of the driveway if they need to bring excavators onto your property. Additionally, ensure they have full access to damaged basement walls as required. It’s also vital that you keep children and pets away from their work for everyone’s safety!
Other than providing basement access, property owners typically don’t need to be home during foundation repair. However, your repair contractor can offer added advice on any prep work required before their work begins.
The short answer is yes; foundation repair is always worth the cost! Consider some reasons why, and talk to your contractor if you still have questions about this process:
On the other hand, repairs avoids all these added risks. In addition, repairs and waterproofing keep a foundation strong and interior spaces dry. Above all, these needed services have protected property values over the years.
Interior wall and ceiling cracks are the most prominent and common signs of foundation damage. Also, door frames and window frames tend to come out of level so that doors and windows stick. You can also put a carpenter’s level on the top of those frames to see if they’re uneven.
Weak floorboards under the foot also might indicate foundation damage. Additionally, mold and excess moisture in interior rooms often mean foundation leaks. Above all, schedule regular foundation inspections. These can alert you to developing damage and the need for expert repairs.
Lafayette Foundation Repair & Waterproofing Pros is happy to help answer your questions about the foundation repair process. Hopefully, you’ve found this information helpful and informative. Call our Lafayette foundation repair contractors if you’re in the area and looking for expert foundation services. We’ll schedule a FREE inspection and price quote for the foundation repair job. To find out more, contact us today.
Is it time for basement foundation repair for a Lafayette property? If so, don’t put off that call! The longer you ignore leaks, cracks, sinking, and other damage, the higher your repair bills. Additionally, those leaks let moisture into a property’s interior. That moisture risks mold, structure wood cracking and rot, and other damage.
However, some property owners put off needed repairs only because they don’t know what to expect. They might assume that the process is disruptive and leaves their property in shambles! To ensure you make the best decisions for your structure, note some details about the basement repair process. Then, discuss any added concerns with a Lafayette foundation repair contractor as needed.
The first step in effective basement foundation repair in Lafayette is a full inspection! Property owners are sometimes surprised to find a contractor wanting to inspect more than the basement itself. However, a full inspection means checking for signs of damage inside and outside your structure.
For example, a weak foundation might mean wall and ceiling cracks, or uneven door and window frames. A structure’s roof also might crack or show signs of sagging and other damage. In turn, a skilled contractor should note all these issues around a property.
Additionally, a contractor might check for risks to a basement foundation and causes of damage. This often includes poor soil drainage or soil piling up against a foundation. He or she might also check for clogged gutters and water stains along outside walls. These all indicate excess moisture around a basement, which increases the risks for cracks and leaks.
Also, a foundation repair contractor might ask about issues you’ve noticed in your home or commercial structure. These might include damp floors, musty odors, mold along walls, and uneven surfaces. These all help your contractor determine the extent and location of foundation damage.
After determining the damage extent and where foundations need repairs, your contractor gets to work on those fixes! Typical basement foundation repairs might include any of the following:
Minor damage might only need crack patching. This process often involves applying patching materials either inside or outside the basement. Exterior crack patching is often more effective, closing those cracks and keeping the foundation protected.
Leak repair often includes crack patching and then checks for excess moisture around the foundation. A contractor might replace weeping tiles. These tiles are pipes installed around a foundation perimeter. These pipes trap excess moisture and direct it away from the structure.
When weeping tiles develop leaks or other damage, they don’t work as effectively. In turn, moisture might stay trapped along a basement’s exterior walls. Replacing or repairing those tiles then addresses leaks and keeps a basement protected.
A contractor might recommend underpinning for severely damaged basements. This process involves installing large pins alongside those exterior basement walls. Next, a contractor attaches the pins to the walls, which keep them in place. Underpinning also helps close gaps and cracks along a basement wall or floor.
Foundation leveling or slab jacking is another process that repairs severely damaged basements. First, a contractor creates excavations around a sunken foundation. Second, he or she injects a specialty grout mixture into those excavations and under the foundation.
In some cases, a contractor lifts the foundation into place with specialty hydraulic equipment. Lastly, the grout dries and hardens, ensuring a foundation stays level. The contractor then replaces the excavations as needed.
Weak basement walls often tend to bow inward. This issue needs immediate repair, as those walls risk collapsing. To address this issue, a contractor might apply specialty carbon fiber straps to those walls. These straps push the walls back into place and keep them in position.
Lastly, note that contractors might use more than one repair method for your property. For example, he or she might recommend underpinning and leveling, or crack patching and leak repair. Your contractor might also suggest how to avoid future foundation damage. This might include better property grading, a French drain installation, or ensuring gutters stay clear and clog-free!
Lafayette Foundation Repair & Waterproofing Pros is happy to provide this information about basement foundation repair in Lafayette. We hope you found it useful and informative! If you’re in the market for expert fixes, call our Lafayette foundation repair contractors. We provide guaranteed repairs designed to last. To get your property started, use our contact form or just call us!
Are you a homeowner asking, can a slab foundation be fixed? This is a fair question for two reasons. One, it’s vital that you keep your home’s foundation in good condition. Two, homes cover their slab foundations almost completely, making access difficult.
The good news for homeowners is that contractors can typically fix slab foundations. Also, there are simple measures you can take to prevent damage in the first place! Check out some vital information about slab foundations and their overall upkeep. Then, discuss your property with a foundation repair contractor near you as needed.
In most cases, a contractor will choose one of two foundation repair methods for a slab. Note a few differences between these methods when it comes to slab foundation repair. However, remember that your contractor is the best source of information when it comes to your property’s needed repairs!
Slab jacking or mud jacking helps lift a sunken, damaged foundation. During this process, a contractor first excavates around those damaged areas. Next, he or she runs pipes or hoses underneath the slab foundation. Then, your contractor pumps slurries into those excavated areas.
These slurries “float” a home back into a level and even position while closing cracks and leaks. Lastly, the slurries dry and harden and your contractor replaces those excavations. These slurries usually last several years if not indefinitely, keeping a home protected in that time.
A contractor might use piers or cylinders to bolster a broken or cracked foundation. Sometimes called “piering,” this process involves pushing or twisting steel pins deep into the ground. After insertion, specialty hydraulic equipment lifts a sunken structure back into position. Next, those piers attach to the foundation with specialty bolts and brackets.
In other cases, a contractor might pour concrete cylinders under the foundation rather than using pins or piers. Pouring concrete offers the advantage of being able to create a mixture as needed. These cylinders then offer added support to the foundation and keep the home level.
Never overlook needed foundation repair for your property! Cracked and weak foundations often risk secondary damage around a home, including:
Additionally, note that foundation damage might lower property values! In turn, you can lose equity in your home rather than build it. Also, you might struggle to sell the home if you decide to move. In some cases, your house might not even pass a home buying inspection.
Lastly, note that foundation damage only gets worse the longer it’s ignored. Consequently, it’s vital that you address a cracked slab at the first sign of damage!
Slab foundations, like any other design, offer advantages and disadvantages. First, note that slab foundations are typically cheaper to construct than basements or pier and beam designs. Second, contractors might pour a concrete slab in just one day, depending on its size and thickness.
Also, without space under a slab, there is little risk of trapped air affecting interior temperatures. In turn, you might pay less for heating and cooling in a home with a slab foundation. Additionally, without space under the slab, there is less risk of pests nesting and making their way into your home.
Moreover, some homeowners prefer a home with as few steps inside and out as possible! Homes constructed on slabs sit low to the ground and might have one or even no steps to the threshold. This makes slabs an excellent choice for anyone with health concerns or who wants to age safely in their home.
On the other hand, slab foundations don’t offer space for plumbing and ductwork under the home. In turn, a contractor must bury plumbing pipes under the slab. Consequently, plumbing pipe repairs are often more costly on properties with slab foundations.
Additionally, a slab foundation means no room for storage in a basement or crawlspace. Some homeowners might also prefer the look of a home elevated on a basement or crawlspace. Lastly, note that a finished basement also increases a home’s overall living space! Homeowners might even use a basement as an income apartment or separate living quarters.
Properly installed and maintained concrete slabs can last up to 100 years or even more. However, as with any component of your home, the lifetime of a slab foundation depends on its overall quality. For instance, a contractor should compact soil properly before pouring a slab.
Also, proper soil grading is vital for ensuring that your concrete slab stays in good condition. Additionally, a homeowner must keep gutters clean and clog-free so that water doesn’t collect around a slab. Above all, schedule repairs when needed so that cracks and other damage don’t spread.
On average, slab foundation repairs might cost from $3500 to $5500 or more. These prices vary according to the slab foundation size and damage extent. Also, a contractor might suggest adding waterproofing and soil grading to protect your foundation. While these services add to your costs, they ensure a foundation stays in good condition as long as possible.
Lafayette Foundation Repair & Waterproofing Pros is happy to help answer the question, can a slab foundation be fixed? Hopefully, you found this information useful and informative! If you need expert foundation fixes, call our Lafayette foundation repair contractors. We offer FREE consultations and inspections and guarantee our work to last. Additionally, we work on virtually every foundation design, including slabs, basements, and crawlspaces. To find out more or to schedule your no-cost inspection, give us a call today!
