To fix these foundation repair issues, homeowners need to look to the engineering community and quality foundation repair contractors that understand the benefits of steel push piers that are designed and engineered to perform.

High pressure, quiet and vibration free hydraulic equipment is used to install the steel push piers, also known as resistance piers. Piers, like the ECP Steel Pier System is designed to drive deeply through soils and bear on rock or other load bearing material. As soils shrink, from the summer heat, steel piers will support the homes foundation keeping the structure stable and crack free. The galvanized steel pipe used in the ECP Steel Pier System will provide many years of support, even in wet or corrosive areas.

Many other pier systems may look like or are promoted to be “as good as” the best steel pier system but fall short on many fronts. Some systems drive concrete cylinders very shallowly into the soil and try to provide support for homes. During dry season the short comings of concrete cylinders become obvious. First, as the soil dry’s it shrinks and pulls away from the cylinders much the same way you notice that the soil around your home pulls away from your foundation. This causes settlement and cracking throughout your home. This shallow piering method is not a long term solution to supporting your home.

Other pier systems use un-galvanized pipe or low pressure hydraulic systems that cannot drive the pier pipe nearly deep enough. Many systems also use bottle jacks (simple car jacks) in an attempt to drive pier pipe or to lift a home. Bottle jacks simply are not designed for this type of application. Many times they can create more damage to the home than was originally found.

Your home is probably your most valuable asset – don’t settle for inferior pier systems to be used to support your home. Demand that your foundation repair contractor use the best designed and engineered products like the ECP Steel Pier System. Your home is worth the effort and you will not have to worry about future foundation repair or piering issues.

Each spring and summer homeowners in Texas are reminded of this, as the moisture content of their expansive clay soils dramatically increases and decreases with the seasons.  The causes of soil expansion or collapse are related to the type of clay minerals in the soil and original soil density. A change in soil moisture content can cause clay minerals to swell like a sponge or to collapse as it dries.  Expansive clay soils can cause walls and foundations to crack and roads and sidewalks to warp.  

The first sign of expansive soils causing a need for foundation repairs is when you notice a misalignment of doors and windows. Another indication of soil expansion is when your patio or driveway slabs buckle or move away from the house. Non-load-bearing walls, which do not have enough weight to resist the pressure produced by expansion, typically crack before load-bearing walls do. Upon drying, expansive soil shrinks, forming large, deep cracks or “popcorn” texture in surface exposures. 

Decreasing the effects of expansive clay soils can be accomplished several ways. The application of hydrated lime to swelling soils is a common treatment that is usually effective in reducing expansion. Another effective method is to replace the expansive soils with non-expansive fill. This can only be accomplished in new construction projects. The application of protective barriers, such as geo-membranes, that surround the homes foundation help keep soil moisture levels constant and prevent the infiltration of surface water. 

For larger problems caused by expansive soils, helical piers or steel piers can be an effective solution. These piers extend the foundation below the active soil layers to a non expansive stratum of soil. The key to these types of foundation repair techniques is depth. One must bear these piers on deep soils at least three times their diameter below the expansive layers.

Poor drainage can result in ponding of water, which allows clays to absorb water, expand and cause problems. Gutters and downspouts should direct water at least 10’ away from the foundation to help maintain consistent soil moisture. Deep watering of landscaping plants and lawns by drip irrigation systems also can trigger soil expansion.

Each spring and summer homeowners in Texas are reminded of this, as the moisture content of their expansive clay soils dramatically increases and decreases with the seasons.  The causes of soil expansion or collapse are related to the type of clay minerals in the soil and original soil density. A change in soil moisture content can cause clay minerals to swell like a sponge or to collapse as it dries.  Expansive clay soils can cause walls and foundations to crack and roads and sidewalks to warp.

The first sign of expansive soils causing a need for foundation repairs is when you notice a misalignment of doors and windows. Another indication of soil expansion is when your patio or driveway slabs buckle or move away from the house. Non-load-bearing walls, which do not have enough weight to resist the pressure produced by expansion, typically crack before load-bearing walls do. Upon drying, expansive soil shrinks, forming large, deep cracks or “popcorn” texture in surface exposures.

Decreasing the effects of expansive clay soils can be accomplished several ways. The application of hydrated lime to swelling soils is a common treatment that is usually effective in reducing expansion. Another effective method is to replace the expansive soils with non-expansive fill. This can only be accomplished in new construction projects. The application of protective barriers, such as geo-membranes, that surround the homes foundation help keep soil moisture levels constant and prevent the infiltration of surface water.

For larger problems caused by expansive soils, helical piers or steel piers can be an effective solution. These piers extend the foundation below the active soil layers to a non expansive stratum of soil. The key to these types of foundation repair techniques is depth. One must bear these piers on deep soils at least three times their diameter below the expansive layers.

Poor drainage can result in ponding of water, which allows clays to absorb water, expand and cause problems. Gutters and downspouts should direct water at least 10’ away from the foundation to help maintain consistent soil moisture. Deep watering of landscaping plants and lawns by drip irrigation systems also can trigger soil expansion.

Basement waterproofing – means keeping water out of the basement. It refers to the products and techniques used for preventing water from entering a home basement. In places where ground water easily builds up to raise the water table as a result of which the hydrostatic pressure increases, it is a must to take up drainage and waterproofing measures. The increased hydrostatic pressure may cause major damage to the structure of the building and may further contribute to problems related to mold and possible foundation repairs. Sump pumps, sealers and drainage systems are an essential part of effective belowground waterproofing measures.

Should you encounter an issue with wet basements, such as is usually the case after a heavy rain, you will need someone with experience repairing foundations and basement waterproofing. As basements are closed areas by nature, they are very much prone to problems related to humidity which occasionally causes dampness and can also lead to water damage and health problems.

The absence of waterproofing is one of the many reasons which may result in a wet basement and foundation issues. If you are planning to remodel your basement, then the best way to begin is by adopting proven measures to make sure the basement is free from water. If you are able to protect the basement from incoming water, then there will be a very small opportunity of mold and mildew occurring in the basement. The problems from mold and mildew arise due to poor waterproofing in the basement and exterior drainage, and it can even make the people very ill.

To keep the basement dry, there are many products for basement waterproofing available in today’s market. Many are distinct solutions available for different types of waterproofing problems. One such method is called tanking, which means putting a membrane to the outside and covering the basement, so that no water can enter through the basement walls. During new construction, the method of tanking is the most suitable one.

The exterior foundation drain, commonly known to many in the construction industry as the “French drain”, is necessary for basement waterproofing in homes located in places where there is flooding occurring occasionally. It is a system built on the outside foundation wall of the building which takes away the water without reaching the basement walls via a perforated pipe drainage system.

The best solution for basement waterproofing problems, and such eliminating potential foundation repairs, is a good mix of both the tanking method as well as the exterior foundation drainage.

We have all heard the old adage “It is only as strong as its foundation”. This particularly true with your home and the additions that you make to it. When adding a deck to your home, using helical anchors for its foundation gives you the security of a deep foundation with the ease of installing a helical soil screw. For years helical piles have been used in the new home construction and boardwalk industry due to their ease of use and material savings. This same technique is now being used in deck construction for many reasons including ease of installation, all weather installation and simply economics.

The old fashioned method of buying extra long and expensive deck posts and concrete is being replaced with simple steel helical foundations. Helical foundations are a steel shaft that has a helix shaped flight welded to its leading end that uses installation torque as an indication of capacity. These helical anchors come in many sizes, configurations and lengths. The anchor is turned into the soil via a hydraulic gear motor that is either attached to a small machine, such as a skid steer or even installed by specialized hand held equipment. The gear motor slowly turns the helix into the soil until it is significantly embedded past the upper active regions of soil. After installation a simple steel bracket is attached between the steel foundation and the deck posts.

Gone are the days when we need to excavate soils and fight the placement of deck posts. If a helical anchor is installed in the wrong place they can simply be reversed out of the soil and placed in the correct position without having to backfill the hole. Gone also is the need for concrete mixing and filling around posts. The helical piles install with minimal disturbance to the soil so backfilling and concrete is not required. And lastly, gone are the days of watching your buried deck posts rot away due to water and termites.

On your next deck project save on lumber, concrete and installation costs by using helical anchors as the preferred method of foundation building. You will now have the confidence that your new wood deck with last for many backyard barbeques and neighborhood gatherings for friends and family.

So how do you set pipe in a wet environment and keep it from clogging? Simple – prepare the area to accept the drainage pipe and filter out contaminates. As a matter of fact we can take a lesson from golf course designers from around the world. Removing water from golf courses is very serious business and it must happen quickly and must work every day. Golf course designers have used pipe and stone systems for years. They use pipe and stone systems under bunkers, under fairways and most importantly under their greens.

Their time proven system is very effective, efficient and economical. First they dig a trench, yes down where the water and soil is located. They then line this trench with a non-woven filter fabric which is specially designed for drainage applications. On top of this fabric they spread a bedding layer of rock or stone. The drain pipe is then placed with pitch (slope)on the stone bedding layer followed by more layers of stone to cover the pipe completely. The remaining filter fabric is then placed over the stone lined trench and backfilled with soil. This simple solution, known as the French Drain, has served golf courses throughout the world for many years. This same basic design can protect your basement from water for many years also.

In a basement there are only a couple minor changes. First, part of your concrete slab must be removed, just like the top of the footing system described above, to make create a trench. The trench is then lined with non-woven filter fabric, bedding stone, sloped pipe and cover stone along with filter fabric covering the top. Then instead of backfilling with soil you will place concrete on top of a vapor barrier and finish flush with the basement floor. With this system you have created an avenue for water to collect and drain to an outlet. No longer will water be applying pressure to your basement floor slab and no longer will you have water leaking in to the basement.

Pipe and stone systems work and work well. It is the method of choice for engineers, golf course designers and plumbers for over 100 years. Do not settle for a flat drain system that sits on a level concrete footing, allows water vapor to enter the livings space and has up to 50% less water capacity. The use of a Building Code approved ASTM D-2729 sloped drain piping system to protect your home from flooding, harmful radon and high humidity only makes since.

Basement Wall Anchors

Most basement walls are either poured concrete or concrete block (CMU). During the spring rains these walls start receiving lateral pressure from surrounding soils. This pressure leads to cracking and seepage of water. This hydrostatic pressure can lead to basement flooding, structural instability or even collapse if the water is not diverted away from the foundation. Many times water is the source of foundation repairs.

The type of wall construction is based on age and local building practices. In my area, the home of aluminum forms, poured concrete walls have been the norm for over 50 years. In many areas CMU block walls are typical even today. Block walls boasts impressive vertical load strength (compressive strength) but has a much lower tensile strength. The twisting or bowing stresses that are common with saturated soils generally shows up as stair step cracking or horizontal cracking of block walls. These cracks are your first sign of a potential foundation problem.

Porosity is an important characteristic of cinder blocks. The capillary effect of porous block allows water to be absorbed and then released as the moisture or humidity levels change. This “breathing” effect can be very useful and damaging at the same time. All porous building materials are susceptible to chemical attacks and weathering agents such as rain, running water and polluted air. With water absorption rates of around 15%, block walls absorbs a lot of water from surrounding soils and then slowly release this water inside basements causing that damp musty smell and feeling of older basements.

The first step in the prevention of bowing walls is to make sure the surrounding soils do not get overly saturated. There are many ways to prevent this including french drains, guttering, downspout extensions and grading. If the water cannot sit next to the walls for extended periods the wall will not absorb as much water, which in turns less water in the basement and less pressure on the walls.

Another very important step is exterior waterproofing. There is a full compliment of choices to waterproof basement walls. First, there are spray on coating, this is commonly

referred to as damp proofing. This method does slow the water absorption rate but does not stop water long term. The best method is applying a spray coating and then covering it with a solid dimple board or similar product, followed by backfilling with some clean rock. This gives you a solid barrier between the soil and the porous wall. When you combine this with an exterior footing drain and the grading recommendations above you will now have a space that can become a very livable addition to your home.

If you already have damage to your home the first step is to contact a foundation engineer in your area to assess the situation and provide an analysis and recommendation for solving your structural problem. At this time the engineer will provide you with a recommended contractor that specializes in the type of repair that you are in need of. These repairs can be a simple as epoxy crack injection or as elaborate as replacing the wall.

Many times plate anchor systems (deadmen) are recommended. These systems require a hole drilled through the wall, a threaded rod is then inserted through the soil to an anchor plate that is installed in the yard away from active soils. Upon the rod and plate being connected, a wall plate is secured inside the basement. The pieces are then torqued together applying pressure to the wall via the anchor. The advantage to this system is very little excavation needs to be done, so it is a very quick and clean installation.

Another system is helical tiebacks. This system also includes a wall plate that is secured to a helical anchor that is screwed through the soil until a predetermined capacity is reached. The soil side of the wall needs to be excavated in this process. By doing the excavation for this method of foundation repair it is a great time to apply the exterior waterproofing methods described above. The helical tieback system is a very strong and reliable method of straightening walls and is recommended by many foundation engineers.

Whatever method of repair that you employ the key is the waterproofing of the structure. Many people will try to get you to use their short cut method to waterproofing but when you understand the causes of water problems, opposed to the symptoms, you will see that there are no short cuts. Following these simple steps will provide you with a living space that you can count on being dry and comfortable for years to come while increasing the value of your home due to the extra square footage of living space.

The next thing that you need to know is the positives and negative (limitations) of each foundation repair method. All commonly accepted methods have their place or application where they shine. Some methods, like steel push piers and helical anchors, are more adaptable to different situations, yet even they have their limitations. Using the correct method for your particular application is the difference between a job well done and job that is only a temporary band aid.

The first aspect to review when looking for foundation repair solutions is to understand the cause of the problem. In the construction of a crawlspace foundation, piers are placed below the support beams to give support for the home. These piers can be made from a variety of materials ranging from concrete blocks to wooden posts. These piers rest upon either shallow concrete pads or lightly compacted soils. Over time these piers move with the soil due to fluctuation in soils moisture, freeze – thaw cycles or soil compaction due to water intrusion. As the pier sinks into the soil the floor is no longer supported, hence sagging floors.

Many poor foundation repair contractors place ill-conceived solutions such as steel posts or by simply encapsulating the crawl space with a vapor barrier in an effort to control the moisture. By supplementing a crawl space foundation with steel posts, resting on the soil or even a shallow foundation (<7’ deep), is a temporary fix at best. Obviously resting a new support in the same fashion as the failed piers will not work for long. If the foundation repair or waterproofing contractor installs an encapsulation system without a deep foundation support system this will only slow the settlement without solving the problem.

Installing a deep foundation support system is best done by using a steel push pier system that drives steel pier pipe down to a load bearing soil well below soils that are affected by moisture. Earth Contact Products, the leading resistance pier manufacturer, has developed such a system. ECP’s Model 200 crawl space pier system is specifically designed for crawl spaces and other limited access areas. This system uses the weight of the structure to drive the pier pipe to a load bearing stratum and then using a unique manifold system the structure is simultaneously lifted and locked into place providing a solid, secure foundation for your home.