For many people, their homes are their largest and most valuable assets. They rely on them not just to protect their families from the elements but to serve as a financial safety net. When you start to experience foundation issues, however, it can seriously threaten the value of that important asset. It’s crucial, therefore, to address any foundation problem quickly and effectively. The PierTech solution is one available option to do just that.
Foundation Issues: What You Need to Know
A home’s foundation can be compromised in several different ways, including settling and upheaval. (Settling is when the foundation sinks, and upheaval is when the foundation rises.) Both upheaval and settling can cause a litany of problems. The following are some signs you might need to repair your foundation:
- Cracked foundation concrete
- Cracked or buckled walls
- Cracked bricks
- Sticking doors
- Sticking windows
- Uneven floors
- Countertops that are no longer level
When foundation issues are left unfixed, it can eventually lead to a cracked home frame or a compromised roof that sags or waves.
Because it’s so visually evident, cracked foundation concrete is one of the most known symptoms of a foundation in need of repair. Cracking at the joint is a significant issue because it allows insects, water, and other types of moisture into the home. Even a hairline crack, though, can eventually turn into a bigger problem, so it’s a good idea to visually inspect your foundation every year to ensure damage hasn’t occurred.
As a general rule, if the crack is 1/16 of an inch or larger, you need to address that problem by taking preventative measures. Failing to do so puts your home at risk of serious structural damage. If foundation problems are significant enough and they’re left unchecked, they can worsen over time and eventually compromise the entire structure.
Nearly every home is going to experience settling eventually. It’s a natural process of the home sinking into the ground. Even though it’s common, it can still cause all the issues noted, meaning the foundation still needs to be monitored, and if issues arise, they need to be addressed.
Potential Solutions to Foundation Issues
Several options are available on the market to address foundation problems. In order to stabilize the home, you can choose from timber posts, concrete piers, or helicals. (The PierTech solution uses high-tensile and high-yield strength domestic steel piles and anchors.)
When making this important decision, price is, of course, going to be a factor. A homeowner, however, should think about price in terms of the life of the home. The cheapest repair solution might seem appealing initially, but if you’re using materials like pressure-treated wood, which can eventually rot, you’re looking at having to redo the project down the line. This can quickly add up and end up actually costing you more than if you’d simply paid for the helical solution in the first place.
In addition to being easy to install, possessing a better bearing capacity to securely stabilize the home, and being minimally invasive during the install process, the patented PierTech system is a permanent solution. The stability your home gains with a PierTech repair (or new construction) lasts for the entire life of the home. No other solution on the market can make that promise.
Conclusion
Foundation problems are understandably scary for a homeowner because they significantly threaten the value of that home—especially when the problems are ignored and allowed to worsen. The good news is there’s a quick, easy, permanent way to secure the foundation and stabilize the home. Using the PierTech helical system is also cost effective because it’s a one-time investment. After the work is done, you won’t ever have to deal with the cost or disruption of foundation repair again.