Foundation settlement is often the first step to serious foundation damage, including wall cracks, sticking windows, tilting chimneys, jamming doors, and, most importantly, the potential eventual failure of the foundation itself. The problem will only become worse (and more expensive to repair) over time, so it's best to begin foundation settlement repairs right away.
Many different methods of leveling settling foundations have been applied over the years. These solutions, ranging from replacing the foundation entirely, to less dramatic solutions like installing piers to support the foundation have all been applied.
These solutions vary in how successful they are, and while they all look attractive on the surface, they are not equal. To meet with a foundation expert for a free foundation leveling quote, contact us today!
What other companies do.
Foundation settlement will continually compromise a structure. Eventually, if it's not repaired or replaced, the foundation will fail completely, with potentially disastrous results. Foundation replacement is the most invasive, expensive, time-consuming, and disruptive solution, but if the foundation has deteriorated to a very advanced stage, it can be the only way to address the problem.
Foundation replacement is a very work-intensive project. The entire perimeter of the foundation will need to be excavated, and all landscaping must be removed. Shrubberies, trees, gardens, walkways, steps, porches, and other landscaping will need to be removed, and mounds of dirt will be heaped around the area.
Temporary supports will be set in place to keep the house upright, and the foundation walls will be removed and rebuilt. After the foundation has been rebuilt and the mounds of dirt and landscaping have returned, the backfilled soil will experience some settlement -- the area will need to be regraded in a year or so.
Additionally, if nothing is done to help with the original problem of foundation settlement, the same problems that caused your first foundation to fail may also affect the new one.
Helical pier diagram.
Foundation piering is usually designed with a rugged steel pier and bracket. The bracket is designed to connect the pier to the foundation footing, while the pier itself extends downward to strong supporting soils. These piers can perform effectively in most soil conditions, and they last for more than a 100 years.
Foundation piers are provided in 2 forms: helical piers and push piers, with each option having its own strengths. All-Dry Basement Sytsems is a certified installer of the Foundation Supportworks, Inc. (FSI) line of galvanized steel foundation piers -- call or contact them online today for a free foundation leveling quote!
If you're looking for an efficient way to add structural support in a smaller, lighter structure, the FSI Helical Pier System is a great option. Able to support patios, porches, steps, and similar structures, they can provide long-lasting support with an installation that lasts only about a day. Helical piers are created with a steel shaft and corkscrew-like end.
To properly install them, an area around the foundation must be dug out for each one. The pier is then driven into the ground below the structure. A bracket is attached to the footing of the structure, and to the helical pier shaft. Helical piers install easily on older or weaker structures and can be used for pre-construction or new construction bearing systems in poor soils.
Diagram of how push piers work.
FSI Foundation push piers, provided by All-Dry Basement Systems, can provide the maximum in foundation support. Able to drive deep into the earth to bedrock or solid supporting strata, we offer an appropriate solution for homes and heavy structures. Because push piers install with very little friction, they can penetrate deeply without warping or bending. Push piers are also able to be used in low-impact interior installations.
Once installed, push piers allow us to raise the foundation structure to a flatter, more level position. As the foundation rises, cracks in stucco, drywall, brick, and exterior finishes can close. Sticking doors, leaning chimneys, and jamming windows can be improved, and the value of the home can be greatly restored.
If you'd like a free, no obligation estimate to level your settling foundation, call or contact us today! We serve Asheville, Columbia, Spartanburg, Greenville, Anderson, Aiken and areas nearby.
South Carolina Areas
Oconcee County
Fair Play, SC
Long Creek, SC
Mountain Rest, SC
Newry, SC
Richland, SC
Salem, SC
Seneca, SC
Tamassee, SC
Walhalla, SC
West Union, SC
Westminster, SC
Pickens County
Central, SC
Clemson, SC
Easley, SC
Liberty, SC
Norris, SC
Pickens, SC
Six Mile, SC
Sunset, SC
Greenville County
Cleveland, SC
Conestee, SC
Fountain Inn, SC
Greenville, SC
Greer, SC
Marietta, SC
Mauldin, SC
Piedmont, SC
Simpsonville, SC
Slater, SC
Taylors, SC
Tigerville, SC
Travelers Rest, SC
Spartanburg County
Arcadia, SC
Boiling Springs, SC
Campobello, SC
Chesnee, SC
Clifton, SC
Converse, SC
Cowpens,SC
Cross Anchor, SC
Drayton, SC
Duncan, SC
Enoree, SC
Fairforest, SC
Fingerville, SC
Glendale, SC
Gramling, SC
Inman, SC
Landrum, SC
Lyman, SC
Mayo, SC
Moore, SC
Pacolet, SC
Pacolet Mills, SC
Pauline, SC
Reidville, SC
Roebuck, SC
Spartanburg, SC
Startex, SC
Una, SC
Valley Falls, SC
Wellford, SC
White Stone, SC
Woodruff, SC
Cherokee County
Blacksburg, SC
Gaffney, SC
Kings Creek, SC
York County
Bowling Green, SC
Catawba, SC
Clover, SC
Fort Mill, SC
Hickory Grove, SC
Lake Wylie, SC
McConnells, SC
Rock Hill, SC
Sharon, SC
Smyrna, SC
Tega Cay, SC
York, SC
Union County
Buffalo, SC
Carlisle, SC
Jonesville, SC
Lockhart, SC
Union, SC
Laurens County
Clinton, SC
Cross Hill, SC
Gray Court, SC
Joanna, SC
Laurens, SC
Mountville, SC
Waterloo, SC
Lancaster County
Heath Springs, SC
Kershaw, SC
Lancaster, SC
Van Wyck, SC
Fairfield County
Blair, SC
Jenkinsville, SC
Ridgeway, SC
Rion, SC
White Oak, SC
Winnsboro, SC
Edgefield County
Edgefield, SC
Johnston, SC
Trenton, SC
Saluda County
Monetta, SC
Ridge Spring, SC
Saluda, SC
Ward, SC
Aiken County
Aiken, SC
Bath, SC
Beech Island, SC
Clearwater, SC
Gloverville, SC
Graniteville, SC
Jackson, SC
Langley, SC
Montmorenci, SC
New Ellenton, SC
North Augusta, SC
Perry, SC
Salley, SC
Vaucluse, SC
Wagener, SC
Warrenville, SC
Windsor, SC
McCormick County
Clarks Hill, SC
McCormick, SC
Modoc, SC
Mount Carmel, SC
Parksville, SC
Plum Branch, SC
Lexington County
Batesburg, SC
Cayce, SC
Chapin, SC
Gaston, SC
Gilbert, SC
Leesville, SC
Lexington, SC
Pelion, SC
Springdale, SC
Swansea, SC
West Columbia, SC
North Carolina Areas:
Buncombe
Asheville, NC
Black Mountain, NC
Hominy, NC
Leicester, NC
Clay
Shooting Creek, NC
Graham
Cheoah, NC
Robbinsville, NC
Haywood
Canton, NC
Center Pigeon, NC
Clyde, NC
Crabtree, NC
Fines Creek, NC
Ivy Hills, NC
Iron Duff, NC
Lake Junaluska, NC
Maggie Valley, NC
Waynesville, NC
West Canton, NC
Henderson
Crab Creek, NC
Hendersonville, NC
Hoopers Creek, NC
Little River, NC
Mills River, NC
Mountain Home, NC
Valley Hill, NC
Jackson
Cashiers, NC
Tuckasegee, NC
Macon
Elijay, NC
Franklin, NC
Highlands, NC
Norton, NC
Orlando, NC
Scaly Mountain, NC
McDowell
Deer Lick Gap, NC
Glenwood, NC
Marion, NC
North Cove, NC
West Marion, NC
Polk
Columbus, NC
Lynn, NC
Mill Spring, NC
Saluda, NC
Tryon, NC
Rutherford
Gilkey, NC
Lake Lure, NC
Union, NC
Transylvania
Balsam Grove, NC
Brevard, NC
Catheys Creek, NC
Cedar Mountain, NC
Dunns Rock, NC
Lake Toxaway, NC
Little River, NC
Pisgah Forest, NC
Rosman, NC
Yancey
Burnsville, NC
Pensacola, NC
Potato Knob, NC
Price Creek, NC
Georgia Areas:
Banks
Hollingsworth, GA
Elbert
Bowman, GA
Elberton, GA
Montevideo, GA
Franklin
Carnesville, GA
Lavonia, GA
Royston, GA
Unity, GA
Vandiver, GA
Habersham
Baldwin, GA
Clarkesville, GA
Cornelia, GA
Demorest, GA
Mount Airey, GA
Turnerville, GA
Hart
Bowersville, GA
Hartwell, GA
Reed Creek, GA
Madison
Alvin, GA
Bond, GA
Canon, GA
Carlton, GA
Comer, GA
Danielsville, GA
Harrison, GA
Shiloh, GA
Rabun
Clayton, GA
Dillard, GA
Mountain City, GA
Rabun Gap, GA
Sky Valley, GA
Tiger, GA
Stephens
Avalon, GA
Martin, GA
Toccoa, GA
Union Hill, GA
Towns
Titus, GA
White
Helen, GA