Did you know that 25% of all homes in the US are subject to foundation damage? Foundation forms the basis of the building structure. Although it is pretty strong and durable, more than often this prominent part of your home structure is slightly or significantly damaged.

There are a few tell-tale signs of a damaged foundation and it can be quite alarming to you as occupants of the building.

But fear not! Foundation repair is very much possible and is an emerging concept in the housing industry.

To help you dive deep into the world of foundation repair, we’ve put together this blog post, where we’ll be discussing what foundation repair is, why it’s important to focus on it, major signs as well as causes of foundation repair problems. And in the end, we’ll look at the four proven foundation repair techniques you should know about in 2022 & beyond.

We’re so excited to share this information with you.

So, without further ado, let’s dive straight into it.

What is Foundation Repair?

Foundation repair, as the term speaks for itself, is the repair or fixing of a building’s foundation.

If you are wondering which part of the structure of a building constitutes the foundation, it is ideally everything underground that forms the core structure of the building and bears the laid of the upper structure.

Most foundations are concrete footings and this is the part that can get damaged over time.

Foundation repair is also known as foundation leveling and is the process of fixing this substructure with various solutions depending on the issue. While the tissue itself may vary largely and depends on a variety of factors, one of the main symptoms of a damaged foundation is cracks appearing in any part of the building (including flooring).

Most of the foundation-related issues arise when the foundation laid is uneven or not settled properly or has some seepage issues.

We will be covering more of the symptoms and issues in the following sections after we cover the basics of foundation repair.

Next, let’s look at why foundation repair is important.

Why Foundation Repair?

The foundation substructure is the most important part of a building. Any small damage to this substructure can have ripple effects on the entire building, especially with houses.

Most damages cannot be detected by the naked eye or by a normal person and it would be advisable to have regular visits by a foundation expert to inspect your home from time to time.

Foundation and a building’s strength should be well managed and maintained to ensure the longevity of the house.

A typical strong foundation naturally settles well with the soil environment and forms a firm base structural system. The issue arises when the foundation ages or is not placed well during the initial stages of the house construction.

The majority of issues akin to foundations significantly depend on the type of foundation used.

For example, in the midwest part of the USA, the most prominent type of foundation structure in houses is the “floating foundation”. This type of substructure is basically “floating” on the topmost layer of the soil. The most common issues faced by such groups of foundations are related to water seepages and soil issues.

If you are from the midwest, you need to be aware of the issues relating to floating foundations and how to tackle them.

The solutions for any type of foundational issue should be consulted with a structural or foundation repair expert.

If your foundation issues become more and more pervasive, it is important to ensure you take the right steps to protect your house from further damage and ensure the safety of everyone in your household.

Looking for Signs of Home Foundation Problems? 

The first step towards foundation repair is figuring out if you really have a foundational issue or not. Sometimes, especially in a new building, foundation issues will settle after a while and should not be a cause of concern. But if your house has crossed the five-year mark and has foundation issues then it should be taken up seriously.

Home foundation issues can be interior or exterior. Allow us to share what some of the most common home interior and exterior foundation issues can be.

Home Foundation Exterior Issues

These are the issues that can arise on the exterior surface of your house:

• Cracks along wall surfaces.
• Rotation or movement of the wall.
• Molds formed near the base of the house indicate a water issue.
• Separation is witnessed along the edges of surfaces such as doors, windows, garage doors, etc.
• Cracks on the foundation itself.
• Cracks on bricks or similar surfaces.
• Waterlogging near the foundation.

Home Foundation Interior Issues

These are the issues that can arise in the interior part of your home:

• Significant cracks on flooring/skirting.
• Cracks on walls.
• Cracks along the edges of doors.
• Misalignment of doors.
• Uneven/sagging flooring.

Wondering What the Major Causes of Home Foundation Problems are? Let’s Find Out

Most foundation-related issues arise due to one main influencing factor- water. The moisture present in the soil is the number one reason for the majority of substructure problems. Due to the unavoidable water content present in the soil, the foundation itself may shrink or swell creating movement and thus damaging the structure.

Here are a few more causes for foundation damage:

• High clay content in soil or sandy soil especially in coastal areas.
• Unstable soil such as expansive clay, which leads to more movement and thus more damage.
• The foundation is built unevenly or on inadequately compacted soil.
• The surrounding area of the foundation has water logging or a poor drainage system.
• Plumbing leakage near or in your home.
• Landscape or tree roots growing in the vicinity of your home.
• A natural disaster such as an earthquake or flooding weakened the structure.

Now that we are aware of the symptoms and causes of foundation let us now delve into the best approaches to tackle damages and secure your home.

4 Proven Home Foundation Repair Methods You Should Know About in 2022 & Beyond

The appropriate method for your house foundation repair depends on a variety of factors such as the type and extent of damage, soil type, the climate your house is situated in, and additional factors.

We have assembled four proven and commonly used foundation repair methods broadly used for a variety of foundation damage issues:

• Use of Sealants or Similar Solutions
• Slab Leveling or Mud Jacking
• Piering or Piling
• Soil Modification or Renewal

Use of Sealants or Similar Solutions

Sealant solutions such as hydraulic cement, epoxy, vinyl concrete, or polyethylene resin offer a quick and lasting solution to foundation damage. This approach is mainly used on the minor cracks found on wall surfaces and can stop further damage if used early on.

Masonry patches can be used on the foundation itself if the foundation has spotty, minor cracks. Typically the cracked surface of the foundation is chipped away and a waterproof strong masonry sealer is filled covering the surface of the foundation to stop further damage and to waterproof the surface.

Slab Leveling or Mud Jacking

This method is commonly used when the foundation slab is at the level of sinking or is unevenly placed. This especially happens when the soil underneath is uneven or has a lot of moisture content making it unstable.

In slab/mud jacking, the concrete slab is lifted by drilling holes into the surface and natural elements such as a combination of proper sol and cement is then injected into these holes. As these materials expand uplift the foundation and are raised back to their original place.

Alternatively, polyethylene is also used as an injection material and it tends to last longer.

Piering or Piling

In piering or piling approach a  pier is used to realign the foundation. This pier is typically made of concrete or steel. In piering, the earth underneath is thought excavated and a pier is used to resettle the foundation. In piling, piles are driven into the ground which are then used to graft the foundation.

Different types of piling and piers can be used for foundation repair for your home. These range from conventionally used concrete piers to bell-bottom piers and steel-pressed piling.

Whichever approach i.e, piling or piering, both offer a long-term, durable solution to your foundation problems, especially if it is a level issue.

Among all the mentioned methods, steel piling has been proven to be the most efficient and would offer a near-permanent solution to your home foundation problems.

Soil Modification Renewal

Most often, especially in the coastal USA, soil issues are the root cause of foundation problems in homes. In such cases, soil modification or soil stabilizing is a process that offers a solid solution to such issues.

Stable soil is imperative to ensure the foundation is strong. In the soil modification process, the substrate is made more stiffer and stable to ensure the foundation is stronger. Similar to slab jacking, the voids in the soil are filled with necessary chemicals or stronger soil.

This method requires a soil/foundation expert to guide you through the process and might require a high level of soil testing before proceeding. The cost and maintenance implications are also high.

And That Covers the Basics of Home Foundation!

The foundation, even though submerged well underneath the house, is the most important part of the house structure. Think of it as the legs of the building, without which it cannot stand.

While maintaining a foundation is not something of a regular outlook, it is advisable to get your house’s substructure system regularly checked especially if it is an old structure.

If you are having foundation problems, we certainly hope this guide provided a little relief by steering you in the right direction.

Do let us know which approach proved to be the most helpful!

Need help? With over 40 years of foundation repair experience, our team would love nothing more than to help you out.

Book an appointment with us today!