How to Repair Foundation
You might think that those small cracks you see on your home’s foundation are nothing, but the truth is, they can cause big problems in the future. Remember, the foundation holds the crucial structural parts of the building, shouldering the weight of your home and keeping it intact. It’s best that when you see faults and problem areas, you immediately repair them.
What You’ll Need:
Cement
Hydraulic jacks
Wire cable
Concrete pilings
Concrete cylinders
Backhoe
Trowel
Procedure:
Find out what’s causing the damage. If you aren’t able to pinpoint the exact cause of the dilemma, then chances are it will happen again, even after you’ve repaired it. Look around the place and examine the structure and the different areas. Are there problems with the walls or the posts? Is your drainage system affecting the foundation? If you can’t spot any, ask a home inspected or another professional to examine the house for you. They’ll tell you the dilemma and suggest solutions.
The most common foundation problems are cracks from outside the building and sinking of the foundation itself. When you find spots with these signs, dig a hole at the area. It must be deep enough to reach under the damaged part. If your place has a full basement, though, ask assistance from a contractor with excavating. You can also rent a backhoe and other equipment yourself, if you know how to operate these machinery.
Get the wire cable, then run it down to the hole’s bottom, threading seven to eight concrete pilings. Put them in place, then set a concrete cap above the top piling.
Position hydraulic jacks above the concrete cap, then slowly lift it back in its original position. To take the place of the hydraulic jacks, get some concrete cylinders. Settle the foundation on these cylinders.
Let the foundation be exposed for a few weeks, and see if it’s staying at the correct level. When it is secure, and you know it’s holding the foundation aptly, you can back-fill the soil, bringing it back to the proper grade.
Fix the cracks on the foundation. Mix the cement, then fill in the cracks both on the outside and inside walls. Make sure you press the cements in the cracks until they’re full. Finish and smooth with a trowel. (For more information on trowels, read The Guide to Trowels)
When your home’s foundation shows signs of weakness and damage, don’t ignore it. Repair your foundation properly, and you’ll be assured that your home stays sturdy for a long time.