Month: March 2025

Foundation Repair – What You Need to Know

Rachel Williamson Contractor Services , , , , , ,
Foundation Repair

Pros Foundation Repair Greensboro NC is designed to fix conditions that cause damage. It’s often a more cost-effective and less invasive option than replacing your home’s foundation.Foundation Repair

Symptoms of foundation problems include cracking walls and doors and windows that don’t open easily. Cracks wider than 1/4 inch can indicate serious issues that need to be addressed quickly.

Concrete piers are a popular and trusted method of foundation repair. They transfer the weight of a building from the structure to more stable soil layers or bedrock, unlike footings which spread the load horizontally. When a concrete foundation shifts or settles, it can cause visible cracks in walls and floors, doors and windows that won’t open or close, and uneven or sloping floors. Depending on the extent of the damage, a shifting foundation can be costly and disrupt daily life.

Piers can be installed in a few different ways. One method involves pouring a new foundation underneath the existing concrete, but this can be incredibly expensive and can take weeks to complete. Alternatively, concrete piers can be installed beneath the existing footing using hydraulic machinery. A concrete pier is a precast cylinder made of concrete that is driven into the ground. Hydraulic jacks are then used to lift the foundation back to its original position.

Another option is to use steel piers, which are more suitable for deeper soils than concrete ones. Unlike concrete piers, which can be damaged by water, steel piers are less affected by moisture. However, this solution is not recommended for homes with a basement because it can create problems with the waterproofing of the basement.

Regardless of which type of pier you choose, make sure to hire a professional with experience in pier installation. Ask for referrals from past clients and check their reputation. Make sure the professionals have insurance coverage, including worker’s compensation and liability, as this will protect you if something goes wrong during the process. They should also be members of reputable industry associations and have certifications. Additionally, make sure the company offers a written warranty. This will give you peace of mind that the repairs will be performed to a high standard and will last for years to come. A foundation repair company should also offer to install a drainage system, which will help keep the soil around your foundation dry and prevent water from seeping into the piers and damaging them.

Steel Piers

Steel piers, a cornerstone of modern foundation repair, are structural saviors that stabilize and strengthen settling or shifting homes and commercial buildings. They are typically used when the soil beneath a building is unstable, as they can be installed far into the ground to reach load-bearing bedrock. This gives them a superior load-bearing capacity over concrete piers, which may degrade or shift over time. Additionally, they have high resistance to environmental factors, such as moisture or changes in soil composition.

A popular choice among our Dallas-Fort Worth clients, steel piers are ideal for properties with a slab or pier and beam foundation that’s been damaged by shifting or sinking. In many cases, signs of this damage include widening cracks in walls and floors or doors and windows that are sticking or jamming when opened or closed.

To prepare the site for a steel pier installation, our team typically clears the area and excavates a hole directly beneath the foundation footing bottom. This allows the crew to properly position each steel pier, which is also known as a piling. Then, using specialized hydraulic equipment, the crew drives each steel pier into the ground until it reaches stable soil or bedrock. Once the piers are in place, they are connected to the foundation, which transfers the structure’s weight to them.

In addition to their impressive strength and stability, steel piers are also known for being cost-effective, durable, long-lasting, and environmentally friendly. They’re also an excellent choice for repairing residential and commercial buildings, as they can be installed with minimal disruption to the property.

During the installation process, our expert team ensures that each pier is properly aligned and secured with a cap to prevent water or other contaminants from seeping into the foundation. Once the piers are installed, our team performs load testing to verify that they’re capable of supporting the foundation’s weight. This is an important step, as it helps to ensure that the piers are capable of stabilizing and supporting your home or commercial building’s foundation for years to come.

Tieback Anchors

Helical tieback anchors are designed to stabilize foundation walls or retaining walls by transfering loads deep into the soil. They are especially useful for sloped or unstable sites, and they can also be used to reinforce existing retaining walls to prevent future collapse of the wall. However, like any other building structure they can be subject to failure from a variety of factors including groundwater intrusion, soil movement, and general wear and tear. In these instances, it is important to address leaks in tieback anchors quickly and effectively.

One of the most common issues affecting foundation walls is bowing. This occurs when the pressure exerted on the foundation by expansive soils or hydrostatic water pushes against the basement walls beyond their structural capacity. This can be a dangerous situation for homeowners, so it is critical to contact a foundation repair company as soon as you notice that your basement walls are bowing.

Professionals can correct a bowing basement wall by installing helical tieback anchors. These are long rods that work like corkscrews to straighten a bowing foundation wall by applying constant force. They are installed from inside the basement and require minimal excavation, making them ideal for properties with limited outside space. Additionally, helical tieback anchors can be loaded and tested immediately after installation to ensure that they will hold up to the load they are intended to carry.

When a helical tieback anchor is leaking, it is important to address the issue promptly in order to prevent further damage to your home or business. In these cases, it is recommended to use chemical grouting solutions that are effective at sealing leaks in tieback anchors. One such product is SealBoss 1510 Water Stop Foam, a high-performance polyurethane that expands rapidly upon contact with water to fill cracks and voids and create a strong, durable seal. This product is available through professional concrete contractors and engineers.

Another option for addressing leaks in helical tieback anchors is to install a mechanical grout system. These products are designed to penetrate deeper into the soil than traditional hydraulic grouts, allowing them to effectively fill the voids created by cracking and shifting of the surrounding soil. These systems are typically injected through small holes that are made in the concrete surface, and they can be loaded and tested right after installation to ensure that they will hold up against the loads they are intended to bear.

Soil Stabilization

Before any foundation or concrete structure is put in place, the soil it’s sitting on needs to be stabilized. This process helps prevent erosion and other environmental hazards, such as contamination of groundwater.

Soil stabilization is a vital step that all contractors must take for construction projects of any size, including homes, commercial buildings and even roads. If the subgrade is not stabilized, these projects are at risk of becoming structurally deficient over time. Stabilization techniques include chemical, mechanical or biological methods.

The first step in determining what method of stabilization will be best is conducting comprehensive soil testing. This allows us to see exactly what the soil is made of, how much moisture it contains and other important characteristics that will affect the project’s success. Then we can select the appropriate stabilizing agent based on this data.

Once the correct stabilizing agent is selected, it can be injected into the soil by spraying or pumping. Whether it’s an advanced ionic solution that reduces the expansive properties of clay soils, a cement mix with lime or fly ash, bitumen, tar, tree resin or something else entirely, this material changes the molecular makeup of the soil to improve its overall strength and durability.

Stabilized soils can provide a wide variety of benefits for construction and repair projects. This includes enhanced load-bearing capacity, reduced settlement and decreased susceptibility to changes in moisture levels. This can significantly reduce the need for costly foundation repairs and other structural damage.

It’s also worth mentioning that properly stabilizing the soil beneath your home will help protect it from flooding and stormwater damage, which are often caused by the same factors that can weaken the foundation itself. If you have an existing foundation that’s suffering from these issues, a professional contractor will be able to recommend the right solutions.

A professional can also advise you on the proper drainage options for your property to keep water away from the foundation and other problem areas. It’s important to choose a company with the right expertise, tools and equipment for both soil stabilization and foundation repair.

The Importance of Septic Tank Cleaning

Larry Brown Home Services , , , , ,

Unlike pumping, cleaning takes it a step further by completely evacuating every component of your septic system – tank, distribution boxes, drain field lines. It’s like hitting the reset button on your entire septic system.

Routine septic cleaning helps your system perform better, extends its lifespan and lowers the risk of costly repair. However, it’s not a task to be taken lightly. Click the Septic Tank Cleaning Perth to learn more.

The Importance of Septic Tank Cleaning: A Guide for Homeowners

A septic tank is a watertight container that holds wastewater long enough for solids to settle at the bottom, oils and grease to float to the top, and bacteria to break down the rest. Eventually, the effluent flows through the distribution box into the leach field where it percolates into the soil for final treatment. A septic system that doesn’t get properly cleaned and maintained can cause a wide range of problems, from foul odors to groundwater contamination. Regular septic tank inspections and cleaning help to prevent these issues.

During a septic tank inspection, a licensed inspector will check several components of your septic system to ensure it’s functioning properly. The inspection starts with a visual examination of the septic tank and its surroundings. The inspector will look for structural damage, including cracks and leaks. They’ll also assess the condition of the inlet and outlet baffles. If the baffles are in poor condition, they could cause clogs that prevent wastewater from flowing into the drain field.

Next, the inspector will evaluate the levels of scum and sludge inside the tank. Ideally, the septic tank will contain a layer of sludge, a layer of gray water, and a layer of scum that are separated from each other. If the septic tank has a disproportionate amount of sludge or scum, it may be time for septic tank pumping.

Once the septic tank is inspected, the inspector will test the effluent flow through the distribution box and into the leach field. They’ll measure liquid levels to determine if the tank is overflowing, and they’ll check for signs of blockages or other problems in the distribution box and leach field. Problems in the leach field can cause slow drainage and foul odors, while issues in the distribution box can lead to a septic system failure.

Inspecting your septic system regularly allows you to address minor issues before they become major problems that require costly repairs or replacement. If you have a schedule of routine septic tank inspections and cleanings, your septic system will continue to function for as long as you own your home.

Septic Tank Pumping

Septic tanks are a big part of the plumbing system you use every day. They keep wastewater away from drains, showers and toilets so it can be safely and easily absorbed in the soil. They work through a separation process that allows lighter solids such as lint and coffee grounds to float to the surface as scum while heavier particles, such as sludge, sinks and compiles in the tank. These sludge and scum layers need to be removed from the septic tank periodically, so they don’t enter the septic system’s underground network of perforated pipes and soil absorption systems. If these systems get clogged by excessive solids, they can cause costly and inconvenient problems.

The best way to prevent septic tank clogs is through regular septic tank pumping and cleaning. This service uses a vacuum truck to remove sludge and scum, then rinses the inside of the tank with water and inspects the walls and baffles for cracks, rust or other structural damage. This ensures your septic tank is working at optimal capacity.

Pumping helps to manage your septic tank’s waste volume, but it does not remove the compacted sludge that settles at the bottom of the tank. This is why cleaning is an essential component of your septic system maintenance. Cleaning takes it one step further, evacuating all liquid and solid waste materials from the septic tank, distribution box and drain field lines. This comprehensive service resets your septic system from the inside out, significantly reducing your risk of premature failure.

Cleaning isn’t typically needed as often as pumping, but it’s a vital maintenance service for any household. It is recommended that homeowners have this service performed about every 3-5 years on average, though this may vary based on household conditions and other factors.

Keeping up with this essential maintenance will help to extend the life of your septic tank and system, saving you money over time and preventing costly repairs and replacements. If you’re unsure when the last time was that your septic tank was pumped, contact Jazz Septic today to schedule a septic inspection and septic tank cleaning.

Septic Tank Maintenance

Septic tanks are large underground holding units where household wastewater goes when it leaves your showers, toilets and sinks. The wastewater enters the tank and gets treated by natural bacteria and microorganisms before it exits the tank into a drain field for percolation back into the ground. Over time, the waste that leaves your home can accumulate in the septic tank, eventually filling it to capacity. This is when a smelly, sludge-filled wastewater can back up into your house. That’s why it’s important to have your septic tank inspected every one to two years and cleaned (pumped out) every three to five years or more frequently, depending on the size of your tank and the number of people living in your home.

In addition to preventing stinky clogs in your drains, regular septic tank cleaning prevents costly and stressful system failures. It also helps you maintain your property value and can save on costly repairs.

While some retail products claim to clean septic tanks and pipes, the EPA warns that these products should not be used in place of routine tank inspections and pumping. While these products can be useful in helping to break down the layer of grease and oils naturally present in your septic tank, they cannot replace the need for pumping and cleaning. In fact, these products may actually cause premature septic system failure by causing solids to move from the tank into your drain field and clogging your septic pipes.

During cleaning, septic tank professionals use specialized equipment to thoroughly empty the accumulated waste from your septic tank and all of its components. Then, they rinse the tank with water to eliminate residue and restore the septic system’s optimal functioning. Cleaning also provides a valuable opportunity for technicians to examine the septic tank and all of its parts for signs of damage or structural wear.

Remember, always wear a mask and protective gear when working with sewage. It’s a toxic environment that can cause health hazards including dangerous diseases and infections. If you notice a strong sewer gas or “rotten egg” smell in your home, evacuate the building immediately and call a septic tank professional to inspect the system.

Septic Tank Repair

Most homeowners don’t give their septic systems much thought until something goes wrong. An unpleasant sewage backup indoors or soggy mess in the yard makes it painfully obvious there’s a problem underground. Avoid these nasty septic surprises with routine inspections and cleanings. These services keep solids from overloading the tank and clogging pipes, straining the soil absorption field, and decreasing functionality.

A professional septic tank cleaner will use a large tanker truck with vacuum equipment to empty the contents of your septic tank. They will insert a large hose into the manhole, and through a suction mechanism, the waste will be pulled out of the tank and into the truck for disposal at an out-of-the-way location. During the process, they will also stir up the contents to ensure all floating solids and sludge are removed.

Once the liquids and floating sludge are removed, the remaining sludge will be pumped into a holding tank or buried in an approved location. Then, the tanks will be cleaned to remove any residue that has accumulated on the tank walls and bottom. This service involves opening all access points and couplings, removing the filters, checking baffles, treating surfaces to control odor, flushing lines if excessive residue exists, and inspecting the septic system for leakage.

Leaks are a common issue with septic systems, and they can occur anywhere in the tank and system. These leaks can cause environmental contamination of groundwater and the water supply, and can damage the structural integrity of the tank or the concrete bases that support it. A professional septic tank inspector can identify the source of the leak and recommend repair or replacement.

A septic tank is a significant investment that’s critical to the proper operation of your home. The good news is, with regular septic tank pumping and cleaning, it can be properly maintained for years to come and protect your home from costly repairs and replacements. If it’s been three to five years since your last septic tank cleaning, consider scheduling one soon.