5 Ways To Know If You Need Foundation Piers
Discovering signs of foundation problems in your home can be concerning, yet understanding these signs can help you address potential problems before they escalate.
Foundation piers are often a viable solution for stabilizing and correcting foundation damage.
Here are five indicators that your home might need foundation piers:
Signs You Might Need Foundation Repair
1. Cracks in Walls or Floors
Visible cracks, particularly those that are widening, are clear signs of foundation settling or shifting.
2. Sticking Doors and Windows
If doors and windows no longer close smoothly or you notice they’re misaligned, it could be due to foundation movement.
3. Gaps Between Walls
Any noticeable separation where interior walls meet the ceiling or floor may indicate a shifting foundation.
4. Sagging Floors
Floors that dip or sag, especially in older homes, often point to underlying foundation issues.
5. Leaning Chimney
A chimney that leans or tilts away from the house is a telltale sign of foundation settling beneath it.
Types of Foundation Piers
If you’re noticing any of these warning signs, don’t be alarmed—solutions are available.
Foundation piers repair and stabilize homes that are settling or becoming unstable. Tailored to fit the specific needs of your home, the soil’s condition, and the level of damage, these piers offer a targeted approach to foundation repair.
Here, we’ll explore the different types of foundation piers your Innovative Basement Authority inspector may suggest.
Helical Piers
Helical piers resemble giant screws and are twisted into the ground.
Their design allows them to be installed with minimal disturbance to the surrounding area, making them a preferred choice for lighter structures or homes where additional foundation support is needed without extensive excavation.
Helical piers are also advantageous in areas with soft surface soil, as they can reach deeper, more stable layers.
Push Piers
Constructed from steel, push piers are hydraulically driven through unstable soil layers until they reach a solid, load-bearing soil.
Once in place, the weight of the structure is carefully transferred onto the piers, effectively stabilizing and potentially lifting the foundation.
Push piers are best suited for heavier buildings and are often used when significant foundation settlement has occurred.
Slab Piers
These piers are specifically designed for homes with slab-on-grade foundations.
Similar to push piers, slab piers are driven deep into the ground to reach stable soil or bedrock.
However, they feature a mechanism to directly lift and support the concrete slab, addressing issues such as cracking or uneven floors caused by foundation settlement.
Each type of foundation pier offers a reliable solution for different foundation repair needs, ensuring your home is safe and stable for years to come.
Understanding the specific conditions and requirements of your property is key to selecting the right type of pier for your foundation repair project.
FAQs
Yes, but the choice of pier type may depend on the soil’s condition and the structure’s needs.
Yes, by stabilizing the foundation and transferring the structure’s weight to stable soil, they prevent further settlement.
Foundation pier installation requires professional equipment and expertise for proper placement and effectiveness.
Trust Your Foundation Repair to Innovative Basement Authority
At Innovative Basement Authority, we have the expertise to tackle the most challenging foundation problems.
With almost 20 years of experience, we’ve seen and fixed nearly every problem out there. We use different types of foundation piers to make sure your home is solid and secure.
Don’t let small issues turn into big headaches. Book a free inspection with us today, and feel confident that your home is in good hands.
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1330 41st St. N
Fargo, ND 58102
6265 Carmen Ave.
Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076
1325 S Frandsen Ave
Rush City, MN 55069