Imagine waking up one morning to find unsettling cracks zigzagging across your walls or feeling a strange unevenness underfoot as you walk across your living room. The peace of mind you once had in your home is suddenly replaced with a gnawing worry about its stability. Such issues often point to problems with your foundation, the bedrock of your home’s structural integrity. This is where foundation jacks come into play. These remarkable tools support and stabilize buildings, particularly when the ground beneath them has moved or settled. By addressing these issues, you can maintain the integrity of your home, protect your investment, and, most importantly, provide peace of mind.
Types Of Foundation Jacks
Foundation jacks come in various types, each suited for specific applications and load requirements.
- Screw Jacks: Screw jacks are mechanical devices that use a threaded rod to lift and stabilize structures. They are manually operated and known for their precision and reliability.
- Hydraulic Jacks: Hydraulic jacks use fluid pressure to lift heavy loads. These jacks are commonly used for their strength and ability to lift substantial weights with minimal effort.
- Pneumatic Jacks: Pneumatic jacks operate using compressed air, making them suitable for quick and efficient lifting. They are often used in industrial settings where speed and power are required.
- Electric Jacks: Electric jacks are powered by electricity and offer ease of use and automation. These jacks are ideal for applications requiring frequent adjustments and precision.
Materials Used In Foundation Jacks
The field of foundation jacks is constantly evolving, with new technologies and trends emerging. Materials, automation, and design advances make foundation jacks more efficient and reliable. Foundation jacks are constructed from durable materials to withstand heavy loads and harsh conditions.
- Steel: Steel is a common material for foundation jacks due to its strength and durability. Steel jacks are robust and capable of supporting significant weight.
- Aluminum: Aluminum jacks are lighter than steel but still offer substantial strength. They are often used in applications where portability is essential.
- Composite Materials: Composite materials combine elements to provide strength and lightweight properties. These materials are increasingly used in modern foundation jacks for their versatility.
How Foundation Jacks Work
- Mechanical Jacks: These use a screw or a ratchet mechanism that you turn manually. Think of it as using a car jack to lift your car when changing a tire but on a much larger scale.
- Hydraulic Jacks: These use fluid pressure to do the heavy lifting. When activated, it pushes hydraulic fluid into a cylinder, creating pressure that lifts the building.
Both types of jacks are placed under the parts of the building that need support, like the corners or along the edges. Slowly and carefully adjusting the jacks, you can lift the building back to its proper level.
In essence, foundation jacks work by lifting and supporting a building that has settled unevenly and then distributing the weight evenly to keep it stable. This process helps prevent damage and ensures the building remains safe and secure, but better long-term options are available.
Why Helical Piers Are Better Than Foundation Jacks For Fixing Foundations
When your home has foundation problems, picking the right solution is essential for long-term stability. While foundation jacks are commonly used, they aren’t the best choice for permanent fixes. Helical piers offer a much better solution. Here’s why:
The Downsides of Foundation Jacks
Foundation jacks come in different types and when used with I-beams, foundation jacks play a crucial role in ensuring the structural integrity of a building. However, foundation jacks only can fix the I-Beam, and if used for the actual foundation, have significant drawbacks.
- Temporary Fix: Foundation jacks only provide a short-term solution. Jacks don’t address the root causes of foundation settling. They provide temporary support but will not prevent future issues.
- Uneven Support: Jacks can lift parts of a building but only sometimes spread the weight evenly, which can cause stress points and more damage over time.
- Not for All Problems: Foundation jacks aren’t suitable for severe structural damage or uneven settling.
- High Maintenance: Jacks need frequent inspections and maintenance, which can be costly and inconvenient. They need regular adjustments to stay effective.
Why Helical Piers Are A Better Choice
Helical piers, also called screw piles, offer many advantages over foundation jacks:
- Permanent Fix: Helical piers provide a lasting solution. Once installed, they stabilize the foundation without needing regular adjustments.
- Even Weight Distribution: Helical piers spread the building’s weight evenly, reducing stress on any single point and preventing further damage.
- Versatile: They work well for various foundation issues, including severe damage, and can be used in different soil conditions.
- Minimal Disruption: Installing helical piers is less invasive and causes minimal disruption to your property.
- Cost-Effective Long-Term: Although the upfront cost is higher, the long-term benefits and reduced maintenance make helical piers more cost-effective.
How Helical Piers Work
Helical piers are steel shafts fitted with helical (screw-like) plates driven deep into the ground to stabilize and support foundations. Here’s a detailed look at the process:
Installation
Before installation begins, the site is carefully assessed to determine the number and placement of the helical piers needed, which involves soil testing and evaluating the foundation’s current condition.
Specialized hydraulic machinery is brought in to drive the piers into the ground. This equipment ensures the piers are installed with the correct torque and depth. The helical piers are screwed into the ground using the hydraulic machine. The helical plates on the piers allow them to be twisted into the soil, much like a screw being turned into wood. This process continues until the piers reach a stable layer of soil or bedrock, which provides the necessary support. The depth and torque are continuously monitored to ensure the piers are installed to the correct specifications. This ensures they reach the stable soil or bedrock necessary to support the structure.
Load Transfer
Once the helical piers are securely in place, brackets connect the foundation to the piers. The building’s weight is carefully transferred from the unstable foundation to the helical piers by lifting the foundation slowly and evenly to prevent any additional damage. The building’s weight is now supported by the stable soil or bedrock reached by the piers. After the load transfer, the system is tested to ensure it can handle the structure’s weight. This testing verifies that the piers are providing the necessary support.
Permanent Solution
Once the load transfer is complete and the building is stabilized, the piers are permanently secured, which involves tightening all connections and ensuring everything is locked in position. With the helical piers in place, the foundation is now supported by a stable, deep layer of soil or bedrock, which prevents any further settlement or movement of the foundation. Helical piers require very little maintenance once installed. They provide a long-term solution that ensures the foundation remains stable and secure.
This method offers a robust and permanent solution for foundation stabilization. It drives helical piers deep into stable soil or bedrock and transfers the building’s weight to these solid supports.
Signs You Need Support
Here’s how you can tell if your home might need the support of helical piers.
Cracks
Cracks are often the most visible sign of foundation problems. They can appear in various places around your home:
- Walls: Look for horizontal, vertical, or stair-step cracks along your interior or exterior walls. These cracks might start small but can widen over time.
- Floors: Cracks in your flooring, especially concrete floors, can indicate that the ground beneath is shifting or settling.
- Foundation: Inspect the foundation itself. Any visible cracks, especially those that grow over time, are a significant red flag.
Cracks form because the foundation can no longer evenly support the house’s weight, causing stress points that result in fractures. If you notice multiple cracks or any that seem to be expanding, it’s time to consider helical piers.
Uneven Floors
Walking through your home should be a smooth experience. However, your floors may be uneven if some areas feel sloping or have noticeable high and low points. Here’s what to look for:
- Sloping: Place a ball on the floor and see if it rolls in a particular direction. This can help you detect even slight slopes.
- Bouncy or Sagging Areas: Walk across the floor and pay attention to areas that feel bouncy or saggy. This can indicate that the floor needs to be adequately supported.
- Gaps: Check where the floor meets the walls. Gaps or separations can signify the foundation has shifted, causing the floors to pull away.
Uneven floors can be caused by foundation settlement, where one part of the foundation sinks lower than the rest. Helical piers can lift and level the affected areas, restoring balance and stability.
Sticking Doors And Windows
Doors and windows should open and close smoothly. If they start to stick, jam, or fail to latch properly, it might be more than just a humidity issue:
- Sticking Doors: Doors that stick or are hard to open and close could indicate that the door frame has become misaligned due to foundation movement.
- Gaps at the Top or Bottom: If you notice uneven gaps at the top or bottom of doors when closed, this is a clear sign that something is off.
- Windows: Windows that are difficult to open or have cracks in the glass can also be signs of a shifting foundation.
These issues occur because the house’s frame warps when the foundation moves. Helical piers can help by providing the necessary support to realign these structures, allowing doors and windows to function again.
Choose Helical Piers For Reliable Foundation Repair
When addressing foundation settlement, it is essential to choose the right solution, even if foundation jacks are popular. Helical piers are the best choice for long-term stability and fewer maintenance hassles when fixing foundation issues. They provide permanent stability, and even weight distribution, and are cost-effective in the long run. If you have foundation concerns, consider consulting a professional to determine if helical piers are the right choice for your property.
If you live in Chicagoland and have questions about foundation repair options, including helical piers, you can rely on The Real Seal for expert advice. Our team is ready to provide comprehensive answers to all your questions and offer free estimates to help you make the best decision for your property’s stability and safety. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward a secure, worry-free home.
