Foundation Repair Techniques

by Posted in Contractor Services Tagged , , , , ,

People are always looking for the best that their money can buy. This goes for everything from a new car to foundation repair services.

Foundation Repair

It is important to detect warning signs of foundation problems early on. If you spot cracks in walls or floors, call contractors right away. There are several different foundation repair methods available, including slab jacking.

This technique uses low-pressure injections to bond and fill cracks in a concrete foundation wall. It is an extremely effective way of repairing cracks in residential poured concrete foundation walls, and is commonly called “concrete welding.” The epoxy injected into the cracked area is a strong material that will seal off moisture and any other contaminants from entering your home.

Before any crack injections can begin, the crack must be cleaned using a pressure washer or vacuum system. This step is vital to ensure that the surface of the crack will adhere to the injection material. It is also important to clean out any water that may be seeping through the crack. Moisture can damage the injection process and lead to reoccurring leaks, mold, fungus and other unwanted side effects.

Once the crack has been cleaned, injection ports will be installed. These are small plastic tubes that will allow the injection chemical to enter the crack. The injection ports will be placed adjacent to and angled into the crack, creating an ideal delivery system for the injection material. The expert from Accurate Basement will already have determined what kind of injection material is needed and will have the appropriate chemicals and materials prepared before beginning work.

An epoxy surface seal paste is then applied to the cracked wall surfaces, including the edges of the crack. This improves adhesion, prevents water from seeping in around the crack and helps to make the repair job look more appealing when it is completed.

The injection process begins by injecting the injection epoxy from the surface port locations, starting from the lowest point and moving up. A concrete repair professional will monitor the epoxy level and crack filling to ensure that the injection material is evenly distributed throughout the entire crack width. As the epoxy levels drop, the professional will move to a new injection port location until the crack is filled.

For more difficult or larger cracks, it is sometimes necessary to preform a technique known as “v-notching.” This involves opening up (or “v-notching”) the existing crack with a saw or grinder, and then cleaning the opening with a vacuum system. This allows for more thorough injection of the epoxy and is a great method for repairing extremely wide cracks.

Concrete Piers

Drilled concrete piers, also known as piles or caissons, are a foundation repair method that transfers your house’s weight onto a deeper layer of more stable soil. They’re frequently used in new construction to address unstable ground conditions that could cause shifting or settling over time.

In the drilled concrete method, your foundation repair crew will use an auger — a type of heavy machinery that resembles a massive corkscrew — to drill a vertical shaft beneath your house. The length of this shaft will depend on your location and climate. In general, it should be drilled at least a foot beyond the “frost line,” which is the depth where your soil freezes in winter.

Once the holes are drilled, they will be filled with liquid concrete and allowed to cure. When this process is completed, the drilled concrete piers will be structurally sound enough to support your house.

However, drilled concrete piers are vulnerable to water damage. This can lead to rusting of the steel reinforcing bars within the concrete, and it may also lead to concrete spalling. It’s important to know that a drilled concrete pier is not the best option for your home, especially if you live in an area with high moisture content.

A galvanized steel pier is the preferred pier method for most foundation repair projects. They’re able to be pushed deeper into the earth than concrete piers, and they’re a great solution for unstable clay-based soil. In fact, they’re often used in underpinning for concrete slab foundations and are the best solution for a foundation repair project that’s designed to stabilize your home’s sinking foundation and lift it back toward its original, level position. The only drawbacks to using steel piers are that they can rust, and they’re more expensive than concrete piers. However, for many homeowners, this is a minor price to pay in order to have a long-lasting and effective foundation repair solution. These piers can be attached to hydraulic bottle jacks, which can then be utilized to lift your house’s foundation into its correct place.

Steel Piers

Steel piers, also called push piers, resistance piers or deep foundation piers, are another great solution for lifting and stabilizing buildings. They’re often favored over concrete piers because they can be driven much further into the soil. Additionally, these piers can be installed with minimal disruption to the structure’s existing foundation. Whether the structural issues are due to settlement, shifting of the building or erosion of the existing foundation, the use of steel piers can provide a permanent lift that will stop further movement and save your property from potential damage.

This method of repair is particularly effective for homes and business with serious foundation problems. Typically, the warning signs for these issues include cracks in masonry walls or exterior brick, doors that don’t open properly, and floors that are uneven. These symptoms can be quite dangerous and if left untreated, the problem can quickly get worse.

Unlike bracketed piers, which place the pier head on a bracket on the side of the home or business, steel piers are driven directly into the ground. This direct support system allows them to reach deeper load bearing strata or bedrock, and it can significantly reduce the need for future repairs. Additionally, they’re often less expensive than other traditional piering methods and can be a great choice for environmentally conscious property owners.

The installation process for these piers is relatively fast and minimally disruptive to the property. First, the crew will drill small holes into the foundation, either by hand or with a smaller variation of an auger drill. Then, a hydraulic press is used to drive the steel pipes vertically into the soil until they reach a stronger sub-strata beneath the surface. Generally, these piers can be driven up to 75 feet into the ground.

This method of repair has become a go-to for many homeowners in the Dallas area because of its success in penetrating thick Texas clay soils that resist pressed concrete and hybrid steel and concrete piers. Additionally, steel piers can be installed with a 75% smaller access hole than concrete piers.

Wall Anchors

Wall anchors are a foundation repair technique that’s used to help distribute the weight of something mounted on a wall or in a crawlspace. Like mudjacking, they’re an alternative to the more expensive and time-consuming polyurethane injection method for lifting interior concrete foundations and floors.

Home inspectors, the FHA, HUD and engineers often recommend wall anchors for homes that have suffered from bowing walls due to excessive lateral pressure on the house’s foundation. They are an effective solution for stabilizing a foundation while allowing the homeowner to continue living in the home during repairs.

There are many different kinds of drywall anchors. Some, like standard plastic expansion anchors, are hammered into pre-drilled pilot holes while others are designed to be installed with screw drives without the need for any pre-drilling. Most come with a set of instructions that should be followed carefully.

Another popular type of drywall anchor is the self-drilling anchor, which has a drill tip and wide screw fins that allow it to sit tight in a stud or hollow wall. It’s also available in metal, which has more holding capacity than plastic.

A snap toggle is another type of drywall anchor that’s easier to install than traditional toggle bolts. Unlike other toggle bolts, the wings of a snap toggle are permanently locked in a small plate at the end of its body. It’s a little more tricky to remove than other toggle bolts, but with careful application you can pull it out of the hole and reuse the old wall hanging hole (provided it wasn’t damaged by the toggle bolt).

Finally, a molly bolt drywall anchor is a heavy-duty option that looks a bit like a metal version of an expansion anchor. They require a bit more effort to install, but they’re very durable. The pointed end of a molly bolt spreads open in the entry hole when a screw is driven into it, which provides a wider hold pattern behind the wall. It’s important to use a large enough hole for a molly bolt, so be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.

Steel Buildings – Why Architects Are Incorporating Them Into Commercial Construction Projects

by Posted in Business Services Tagged , , , ,

Oklahoma Commercial Steel Buildings can withstand a variety of weather conditions and are incredibly versatile. Architects are finding ways to incorporate them into commercial construction projects of all types.

One key advantage is that steel buildings featuring clear-span framing don’t require internal building columns for support. This allows for the interior space to be shaped in a way that best suits your intended use.

Whether you’re looking for a place to build your dream home, open a new business or create additional storage space on your property, choosing a steel building is a smart way to save money. Steel buildings are made from high-quality metal and are not just cheaper than traditional building materials, they’re also easier to work with during construction. These benefits translate into savings for the project owner in many ways, from reduced labor costs to lower insurance rates.

One of the biggest cost-cutting benefits of a steel building is that construction takes less time. This not only reduces labor expenses but also helps the building owner begin earning income from their investment sooner. Additionally, when building materials can be fabricated and erected in a shorter amount of time, it also means lower fuel costs for shipping the material to the construction site.

Since most of the framing of a steel building is constructed in the factory, there’s less need for workers on the jobsite. This decreases overall labor expenses and allows the building to be constructed much faster than a comparable structure built using other materials.

Additionally, the lightness of steel building components can help to reduce transportation costs as well. It takes less fuel to transport steel building components than it does wood or other heavier building materials.

Many steel building components, such as roofing trusses, come pre-assembled, which reduces the amount of time needed to install them at the construction site. Depending on the specific design of your steel building, this may result in significant savings for the project owner.

The longevity of steel buildings also means that they require less maintenance than structures built from other materials. For instance, steel is not prone to rotting, and painted steel surfaces can be easily cleaned with water or detergent. Furthermore, steel buildings are resistant to pests such as termites.

Moreover, because the durability of steel buildings reduces the need for costly maintenance and repairs, it can ultimately lower insurance rates. This is important to consider when seeking out the best insurance for your project. The reduced risk of damage and theft can significantly cut your premiums, which could ultimately save you thousands over the life of your project.

Durability

Steel buildings are known for their innate durability and exceptional lifespan. They have the ability to withstand harsh weather conditions, including tornadoes, hurricanes, and earthquakes. In addition, they can be insulated to keep the interior comfortable throughout the year. This makes them a great choice for manufacturing, agricultural, and storage needs.

Durability starts with meticulous engineering and design. Engineers use advanced software to create precise blueprints that optimize structural strength and integrity. Each part, from beams to joints, is meticulously analyzed and tested to ensure its ability to withstand the forces that a building will encounter during its lifetime. This precision is one of the main reasons that steel buildings are so durable.

Another important factor is the dimensional stability of metal. Unlike other materials, which may expand and contract with moisture content, steel remains stable and does not shift under stress. This is especially important for mid-rise buildings, where the stresses are even more intense. This is why many contractors choose to build with metal buildings.

In addition to its dimensional stability, steel is also corrosion resistant. This means that it will not rust or wear away over time, providing a long-lasting, low-maintenance solution for your construction needs.

Steel building construction is also faster than traditional building methods. This is because most of the components are pre-manufactured in a factory and shipped to the job site in ready-to-assemble condition. This drastically reduces the time that it takes to complete construction and allows for a more seamless, organized installation process. This saves both money and time, and also helps to keep your project on budget.

When choosing a contractor to construct your steel building, it is important to consider their experience and reliability. Ask potential contractors for references from past projects and take the time to call them. This can give you insight into a contractor’s reliability, quality of work, and customer service. You should also look for online reviews to see what others have said about the contractor’s work.

While steel buildings are becoming more popular for commercial and residential construction, they are also being used to make self-storage facilities more convenient for people who need a safe place to store their belongings. This trend is expected to continue as more people are looking for affordable and durable storage solutions.

Flexibility

Many people equate steel with the squat World War II-era Quonset Huts, but today’s durable and beautiful commercial and residential steel buildings fit perfectly with modern construction priorities. They are cost-effective, highly energy efficient and offer a variety of design options. They are also very fast to construct, allowing businesses and homeowners to get their projects up and running more quickly.

A steel building’s clear-span framing means that interior space is completely customizable. This feature makes it perfect for a wide range of uses, from warehouses to retail spaces and offices. It can even accommodate high ceilings that are necessary for industrial settings, such as machine shops and manufacturing facilities.

Steel buildings can be customized to meet the specific needs of each business or industry. They are highly flexible and can be expanded as a company grows. This flexibility helps to cut costs and save time when compared to traditional construction methods. This streamlined process allows businesses to get up and running in less time, bringing their return on investment sooner.

Because steel is so durable, it requires far less maintenance than other materials, such as wood. It can withstand extreme weather conditions and other environmental hazards, including harsh chemicals and pests. Additionally, it can withstand the weight of large equipment and vehicles. In addition to its durability, steel is also a green material. It has a low environmental impact and is easy to recycle.

If you’re planning a new building project, consider choosing a pre-engineered steel building from a reputable manufacturer. They will plan, draw and engineer your building, making the whole process much quicker than a typical construction project. Once your building is ready, you can start preparing the site and constructing the foundation slab while waiting for your components to arrive.

Once your steel building is fabricated, it will be shipped with all the hardware needed for the installation. A skilled contractor can complete the building process in a shorter amount of time than if they were assembling a steel building from scratch on the job site. This is because the building components are built and engineered at the manufacturer’s factory, so they can be easily reassembled on-site with minimal labor.

Energy Efficiency

Steel buildings are energy efficient in several ways. First of all, they are insulated well and keep air from escaping the building, which can save a lot on energy bills. They also are designed to reflect the sun’s rays, which helps prevent heat absorption and cuts down on cooling costs in the summer.

Another way that steel buildings are more energy-efficient is because the process of forming steel requires less raw material than other building materials, such as concrete or wood. Additionally, steel is highly recyclable and can be recycled several times without losing its integrity.

If you are thinking of purchasing a metal building for living quarters or for other purposes, be sure to consider its energy efficiency. There are several ways to make your new steel building more energy efficient, from incorporating ridge vents and louvers to installing proper insulation. These simple changes can help reduce your energy costs and carbon footprint significantly.

While a steel frame building may cost more upfront than a similar structure made of other materials, it will pay off in the long run in reduced energy bills. In addition to the initial savings on heating and cooling, a steel building will last longer than one made of wood or other non-durable materials.

When it comes to the initial cost of a steel building, there are other factors to take into consideration, such as the foundation requirements. A steel building does not require a full slab of concrete, but instead relies on a series of concrete piers that are placed at each column location. This is not as expensive as a slab, and it will still provide a strong foundation for the building.

If you are looking to build an energy-efficient steel building, consider insulating it with foam or fiberglass. This will prevent heat from escaping the building in the winter and help reduce your energy bill, as it will minimize the amount of energy that is needed to keep the facility at a comfortable temperature. You can also add energy-efficient windows to further improve the energy-efficiency of your new steel building.