We offer foundation repair for slab homes as well as pier and beam homes. The process is different for each of these types.
Slab Homes
Need foundation work done and don’t want to move out for a few days? No problem! We tunnel so you can stay living in your home while we work!
We use PILEGUARD!
The PileGuard is 6″ in height and 6.5″ in diameter. It is constructed of plastic and made by injection molding. It is one solid piece and composed of a plastic that has a strength of 5000 psi.
In foundation repair, each concrete cylinder is placed one on top another and driven down into the ground with a hydraulic ram. The PileGuard is placed between each cylinder and fits tightly around them to keep them in-line. It acts as a sheath to protect the cylinders as well as supporting them. It also ensures that the cylinders stay in the ground.
Pier and Beam Homes
Pier and Beam foundation repair is a service that we offer at National Foundation Repair and also a service we have significant experience in. Pier and Beam foundation repair is different than slab concrete foundation repair and should be performed by a foundation repair contractor with knowledge of pier and beam foundations.
Here are some common problems associated with pier and beam foundations:
- Decay or damage to wooden beams and/or wooden joists. May be caused either by excessive moisture, or termites. Solution: Replace damaged wood and re-shim.
- Movement of interior piers. Until recently, the support for interior beams was wooden posts either sunk into the ground, or atop a concrete pad. Most common problem is water induced upward and downward movement of the piers. Solution: assure that water can not get under the foundation. Once moisture is stable, re-shim.
- Movement of exterior piers. Cause of movement is often sinking piers due to the presence of water. Exterior piers may be either wooden posts, or a concrete perimeter with concrete piers. Solution: Assure proper water drainage away from exterior, and possibly add helical piers. Re-Shim as needed.
- Shim failure. It is not uncommon to find that a house has been shimmed with a variety of non-standard materials such as plywood, sheetrock, soft wood or even cardboard. Solution: Replace inferior shim material with steel.
- Inferior construction. Pier and beam houses built in the early 1900s may have inadequate load supporting ability, or may be failing due to the addition of a second story. Solution: Add steel reinforcing beams and shim.