Understanding all foundation repair or underpinning methods will help with your decision when deciding upon a foundation repair contractor. Some unscrupulous foundation repair contractors advertise that they can put in every type of piering system. Professional contractors concentrate on just one or two piering methods and master them. The contractors that claim to be a “jack of all trades” usually are the master of none. They generally take short cuts and due to the fact that they are not thoroughly trained in each specific method. Professional foundation repair contractors that pick a system or two and stick with it generally can master the methods and provide a better quality job. They may not have the answer for every situation but they will generally provide better quality work on the jobs that they accept. They are also more likely to be recommended by professional engineers. If an engineer is putting his reputation on the line they generally will recommend professioanl underpinning contractors to perform the work they specify.

Knowing the positives and negatives of each foundation repair system is one more step in getting a job well done. All commonly accepted methods have their place or application where they shine. Some methods, like steel push piers and helical anchors, are more adaptable to unique situations, yet even they have their limitations. Using the correct method for your particular application is the difference between a job well done and job that is less than satisfactory.

Steel push piers have an advantage over most systems in the fact that they are individually tested as they are installed. Professional underpinning contractors will monitor and record pressure readings and then compare them withstructural weights to determine capacities. They will also use a manifold lifting system to perform any lifting required to make sure that the lift does not put any undue pressure on the structure. Professioanl engineers prefer manifold lifting systems espeecially high pressure (10,000psi) systems that can be controlled from a single place.

Helical pier systems are another very popular system recommended by many professioanl engineers. Helical pier are "screwed" in the soil using a helical gear motor or torque motor. Once again pressures and torque reading are montiored and recorded to establish capacities. Without carefully monitoring these reading a verifiable capacity cannot be assumed. Professioanl engineers generally want to review these readings to verify that the helical piers have reached soil layers that can support the structure. Manifold lifting systems are once again the preffered method of lifting.

Simply, homeowners need to ask questions of engineers and underpinning contractors before choosing a contractor. Stay away from the jack of all trades and also be wary of the contractor who does not use a manifod lifting system. Many of these contractors use simple bottle jacks in their attempt to lift structures. These are all simple clues that you need to keep looking for a professional contractor to work on your most valuable asset, your home. As always hiring a independent professional engineer is the best course of action before any foundation repairs are started.

French drains, a form of subsurface drain, utilizes a buried perforated pipe installed in a gravel bed with a geo-textile fabric envelope lining the trench. Water from the surrounding soil enters the gravel bed, flows into the drain pipe and utilizes gravity to flow towards the discharge point.

The three most frequently used type of french drain pipe systems for residential and commercial applications are smooth sewer and drain pipe, corrugated plastic pipe and poly drain pipe. Smooth wall sewer and drain pipe is rigid and manufactured from PVC or Polyethylene. Due to its rigid nature it is easier to maintain a continuous slope in critical areas by spanning over uneven trenches. Corugated pipe is manufactured from high density polyethylene and is available in 10' - 250' rolls. Since corrugated pipe is flexible, it can follow contours of the ground and wrap around corners without couplings or elbows. Poly drian pipe (EZ-Flow) is a self contained french drain system that combines corrugated pipe with a poly aggregate wrapped in geo-fabric. This system eliminates the need for gravel sepaate geo-textile cloth.

Each of the above mentioned drain pipe systems have perforations or slits to allow water in and directing this water down stream to a discharge point. Discharge points can be grates, drywells or popup emitters. French drains are the most common method for evacuating excess ground water which has infiltrated into the soil. If the gravel is run to the top of the trench you can also direct surface water down through the aggregate to the pipe system preventing water in unwanted areas such as near foundations or across patios and sidewalks.

A well designed and installed french drain system can prevent foundation repairs and basement flooding. By stopping surface and ground water from comng into contact with foundation components, basements will stay dry and foundations will rremain more stable. Understanding water flow and pipe capacities are key components to a well designed french drain system. Many foundation repair and basement waterproofing contractors have been trained to diagnose and solve ground water issues, but it is always advisable to consult with a professional engineer when dealing with foundation issues.

Many homeowners never think about their sump pump except when it is raining. Neglecting your sump pump can lead to basement flooding and foundation repair problems.

Recently, Earth Contact Products tested leading sump pumps side by side to test efficiency and performance. One of these tests pitted the ECP BSP-50 against a leading competitor for a one minute performance test. The test can be seen on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiXTSbCJpio .

Sump pump performance becomes evident during periods of heavy rains. While other sump pumps cannot keep up with heavy rains, ECP sump pumps have upto 50% more capacity while using less electricity. When combined with an efficient sump pit these sump pumps even become more efficient by eliminating short cycling. You can find even more information about ECP's lineup of sump pumps at their website http://www.earthcontactproducts.com/SUMP_PUMP.asp .

Earth Contact Products is known as the leading supplier of foundation repair and waterproofing products in the industry. Their extensive testing and engineering allows them to deliver the highest quality products to their contractors who serve homeowners throughout the United States.

The following article is from KansasCity.com by Alan Goforth

Though homeowners are finally getting a break as summer nears its end, they might be in for an unpleasant surprise when they take a closer look at their driveways, sidewalks or patios.

“We are looking at a lot more work than we usually do,” said Rob Kramer, owner of KC Pro, a foundation repair company in Kansas City. “Although we do repair work year-round, we generally see more business when it’s dry and the soils have drawn down.”

The always-changing climate in the Kansas City area is tough on concrete, said Perry Hochkammer, owner of Black-Jack Grout Pumps in Rockford, Ill., and president of the American Pressure Grouting and Mudjacking Association.

“Parts of the country with cycles of freezing and thawing always see the most problems,” he said.

A cost-effective solution to settling concrete is a simple process with an interesting name — mudjacking. Workers drill 2-inch to 5-inch holes into slabs of concrete that have settled and pump in a mixture that can include topsoil, lime ash and portland cement. This mixture both fills the voids and raises the slab to its original level. After the surface is leveled, the drill holes are filled with concrete.

The term “mudjacking” may be a bit misleading, said Dennis Morgan, owner of Pro Foundation Technology Inc., which has locations in Raytown and Columbia. The company was founded in 1978 and has been doing mudjacking since 1990.

“We should use a different term than mudjacking, but that is what most people recognize,” he said. “It should be slab jacking. We don’t use mud anymore but a mixture of lime and portland cement.”

The term made sense when the process was developed nearly four decades ago, Hochkammer said.

“Workers initially used hot asphalt and then switched to a black topsoil blend,” he said. “Over the years, organic material such as topsoil and mud begin to break down. Now we use more stable materials such as lime ash and portland cement.”

KC Pro uses a slurry of pulverized topsoil and portland cement, said Kramer, who has 17 years of repair experience. The slurry is thickened as needed. Pro Foundation Technology also has been working with a high-density polyurethane on projects for the Missouri and Kansas transportation departments.

“Polyurethane does the same thing but lasts longer,” Morgan said. “It’s very light and doesn’t burden the soil as much. Some homeowners also are starting to use it, although it costs a little more. Smaller holes are required, which is an advantage if you are working on a nice patio, for example.”

The slow economy has helped the mudjacking business, with customers finding it more economical to repair than replace damaged concrete.

“Typically, when the economy is faltering, mudjacking is a good alternative to replacement for municipalities and homeowners on tight budgets,” Hochkammer said. “Mudjacking to raise concrete costs about one-fourth as much as replacement.”

Kramer agrees.

“The economy has not affected our business very much,” he said. “The average cost of a project is $600 to $700, which is much easier to come up with than $5,000 to $6,000 for replacement.”

As with any type of project, the bigger the problem, the higher the cost.

But, Kramer said, “The smaller the pieces of concrete, the more difficult it is to use mudjacking. We can lift the bigger pieces, but the smaller ones will fall out. People need to contact us before the concrete begins breaking into small pieces.”

Indications of sinking concrete are hard to miss.

“The most common sign that most people see is a speed bump as they pull into their garage,” Morgan said.

It pays to shop around.

Hochkammer said: “The best place to go is the Better Business Bureau. Companies should provide at least three references. My association ( www.apgma.com) also can help if you have trouble finding a good local company.”

As summer winds down, local mudjacking businesses urge homeowners to keep a close eye on concrete surfaces.

“We will have a lot of calls after this hot weather,” Morgan said.

“The Kansas City area is good for business.”

We have all heard about the strength and unique properties of carbon fiber. It is used in many high tech applications such as car racing, mountain bikes, fishing poles, golf clubs and baseball bats. What do all of these things have in common - the need to produce high strength and light weight in a small package. As carbon fiber materials have evolved and become more price competitive, new applications and opportunities have evolved into our mainstream lives. One of these applications is in our homes as a foundation repair method for bowing and cracked basement walls.

Using its thin profile and tremendous strength carbon fiber, when applied to basement walls, can reinforce problem foundations. Over 20 years of Large-Scale Testing for applications that include repair and strengthening of concrete, masonry, steel, and wood structures support carbon fiber systems. In each of these tests, carbon fiber was shown to out-perform steel alternative repairs. Carbon fiber products never corrode like steel and offer greater tensile strengths without the obstructions or adversely effecting the look of your basement wall.

As with all products in the foundation repair business, it all comes down to precise application of the products more than the individual products themselves. Carbon fiber materials must be installed correctly and by approved foundation repair contractors to provide their full benefit. Just because a contractor offers a product does not mean that this person has been properly trained in its application. Understanding this and hiring a qualified structural repair contractor is the first step in getting your foundation walls repaired correctly.

No matter what the source of your foundation problems, whether it is water, settlement, heaving or a combination of these factors foundation repair is a problem that must be taken seriously. The signs can be water in the basement, cracks in drywall, cracks in basement or concrete slabs or even misaligned doors and windows. When these signs are noticed your first thought becomes – What are these repairs going to cost me? Where do I start?

Unfortunately, this question is difficult to answer and cannot be answered with one statement across the board. Do you need basement wall cracks filled? Do you need tieback anchors or carbon fiber support for bowing basement walls? Is you slab foundation sinking or heaving? There are many questions that need to be answered and must be answered by a foundation expert like a foundation engineer or a qualified foundation repair contractor. These services can range from free for an opinion to several thousand dollars for a soil boring and a professional engineers full report. Generally foundation repair contractors offer their opinions free or for a nominal charge depending on the detail. Professional engineers can be hired to protect you throughout the repair process for a few hundred dollars to a full report and soils analysis for $2,000 - $2,500.

Now that we have determined the cause of the damage and the method of repair that is best suited for your home it is time to hire a qualified foundation repair contractor. The tendency here is to look for the lowest bid. The problem is that the lowest bid does you no good if the contractor is not qualified or uses inappropriate foundation repair methods. If you hired a professional engineer he can help you with the contractor selection process and may even have a list of preferred contractors.

So, we have our engineer and he has helped select a qualified foundation repair expert. You are now able to determine a cost for your repairs. Below is a list of typical repairs and a range of costs associated with each repair method.

·         Crack Injection - $400 - $600 per crack

·         Carbon Fiber Reinforcement - $350 - $500 per strap

·         Tieback or Wall Anchor - $400 - $650 per placement

·         Underpinning Piers - $650 - $2,100 per pier (large range due to different construction standards throughout the country)

·         Sump Pump Upgrading - $700 - $1,500 

Remember the costs associated with repairing your foundation are relative to the safety issues and decreased value that would be associated with an unrepaired foundation. The overall repair bill may be $1000 - $10,000, but if not repairing your home decreases the value by more you will be money ahead. While having foundation issues may seem overwhelming, the process can be fairly painless unless you do not follow the steps above. Inappropriate repair methods or repairs performed my unqualified contractors can create larger issues than your current state of affairs. Remember, if you hire an independent professional engineer you have an expert on your side who will lookout for your best interests.