What Are the Hidden Risks of Skipping Foundation Repair?
When it comes to maintaining the structural integrity of your home, a few things are as crucial as addressing foundation issues promptly. Ignoring early signs of damage can lead to more severe and costly repairs down the line. Oklahoma City residents, in particular, understand the importance of keeping their homes on solid ground. But where do you start? Selecting the right professional for the job is paramount. As you consider safeguarding your home's foundation, foundation repair companies in Oklahoma City stand ready to assist, offering expertise and solutions tailored to your needs.
Step-by-Step Guide to Foundation Repair
Preparing for Repair
Before the actual repair work begins, it's crucial to prepare the site properly. Foundation repair companies often need to disconnect various utilities to proceed safely. Their goal is to minimize disruption and ensure a clean work environment. This preparation might include covering the area with tarps and temporarily moving plants or landscaping to protect them from damage.
The Role of Piers in Foundation Support
To stabilize and support the weight of the slab, foundation repair companies install piers made of either steel or concrete. These piers are strategically placed either around the home's perimeter or inside the home itself. When interior piers are necessary, professionals may need to cut through concrete floors, and subsequent floor repairs could require a specialist, especially for tiled or hardwood floors.
Lifting the Foundation to Level
After the piers are in place, hydraulic jacks are used by foundation repair companies to carefully lift the slab to its correct elevation. This step is delicate and requires precision to ensure the slab is perfectly leveled. Once the desired height is achieved, the slab rests permanently on the piers, ensuring a stable foundation.
Refilling the Excavation Sites
Following the stabilization of the foundation, the next task is to fill in the holes left from the pier installation. Foundation repair companies backfill these holes with the previously excavated soil. Achieving complete compaction is not feasible, so some excess soil may remain, which is typically spread around the repair site to settle naturally over time.
The Final Clean-Up
Ensuring the site is left tidy and restored is a priority for foundation repair companies. This includes replanting any displaced landscaping and smoothing out the soil. If the repair involves interior work, ensuring the inside of the home is clean and returning it to its original condition is essential. For finishes such as flooring that require professional attention, another contractor might be brought in for the final touches.
Foundation Movement and Plumbing- A Dual Concern
When water infiltrates the soil beneath a home's foundation, it triggers a cycle that can jeopardize the structure's integrity. Effective drainage systems, including gutters and French drains, are essential to prevent soil saturation under the house. Excess moisture causes soil to expand, exerting enough force to shift a foundation. Conversely, drying soil contracts, lowering everything resting upon it.
This dynamic underscores the critical nature of maintaining a leak-free plumbing system beneath your home. Rapid water accumulation from a compromised potable water system can swiftly undermine a foundation. Similarly, gradual leaks from sewer lines pose a substantial risk over time, gradually eroding stability.
Plumbing infrastructure, concealed beneath the concrete slab and ensconced in soil, serves every household fixture. This arrangement subjects pipes to the relentless forces of foundation movement, potentially leading to significant damage.
In instances where plumbing failures precede and precipitate foundation issues, a vicious cycle of structural and plumbing damage ensues. However, minor foundation shifts, a common result of natural soil adjustments, might not always impair the plumbing network. A carefully managed foundation repair can often preserve the plumbing system's integrity.
Determining the exact state of underground plumbing necessitates specialized testing, emphasizing the importance of expertise in diagnosing and addressing foundation and plumbing-related challenges. The best foundation repair companies play a pivotal role in this process, offering the necessary skills and technology to identify and rectify such issues. With their help, homeowners can safeguard their property against the unseen threats lurking beneath their homes, ensuring a stable and secure foundation for the future.
Navigating Water and Sewer Testing
The Crucial Water Static Test
This test begins by attaching a pressure gauge to your home's water system to monitor the initial pressure level. To ensure accuracy, the main water valve is turned off, effectively sealing the system. A decrease in pressure indicates potential leaks, whether they be minor drips or significant ruptures. It's crucial to first address any visible leaks from faucets or toilets, as these may mask more severe issues beneath the surface. Foundation repair companies often stress that resolving these superficial leaks is a step toward uncovering any underlying problems that could threaten your foundation.
Should the pressure continue to drop with no visible leaks, the investigation turns to the lines beneath your home or in the yard. Techniques include isolating the irrigation system or shutting off the water supply to determine the leak's location. Foundation repair companies use these methods to pinpoint whether leaks are compromising your foundation's stability.
Sewer Static Test- Ensuring System Integrity
The sewer static test follows a similar principle, focusing on the home's sewer lines. Foundation repair companies utilize this test to identify leaks that could undermine the foundation. By sealing the main sewer line with an inflatable device and filling the system with water, a stable water level indicates a leak-free system. A decreasing water level, however, signals a breach in the pipes beneath the slab.
Locating a leak within the sewer system is a meticulous process involving a specialized camera and strategic placement of sealing devices. This method allows foundation repair companies to isolate and identify the precise location of leaks, ensuring they can be addressed effectively.
Choosing the Right Foundation Repair Company
Selecting among foundation repair companies is a decision that shouldn't be taken lightly. Look for a team with a track record of success, transparent pricing and a commitment to quality. Your home's foundation is the bedrock of your safety and comfort—investing in the right professionals is paramount.
Secure Your Foundation with Expertise
Don't let foundation issues threaten the stability of your home. Ram Jack by American Leveling, one of the leading foundation repair companies in Oklahoma City, offers unparalleled service and proven solutions. Our team is dedicated to identifying and addressing your foundation concerns with precision and care. Whether it's water and sewer static tests or comprehensive repair services, we ensure your home stands on solid ground. Choose us for a foundation as strong as your trust in us. Contact us today to safeguard your home's future.