When it comes to house foundation repair the most common solutions form foundation repair companies in Atlanta include steel push piers, helical piers and mudjacking. This article will focus on the use of steel push piers for house foundation repair.
Concentric and Eccentric Resistance Piers
What Are Push Piers?
A push pier provides a mechanical method to adjust the heights of various points of a slab or foundation and thereby “level” the house foundation.
Push piers are able to correct sinking foundations caused by settling problems associated with unstable soil conditions, sinkholes and problems related to organic fill or water. A typical push pier foundation repair can be done in one to three days, and leave the home with no visible signs of ever having had a foundation problem.
Push Pier Construction
Foundation repair push piers are made of high carbon steel, and often are finished with hot dipped galvanizing. The galvanized finish is used instead of primer and paint in order to extend the useful life of the foundation supports. The best push piers are made of at least 3″ round steel pipe with a 1/4″ wall. Any welds on the push piers should be done by certified welders using TIG, MIG or traditional stick welding methods. Unlike visible steel work, welds and plates on push piers do not need to be ground smooth or otherwise worked for cosmetic improvements.
Push Pier Installation
The foundation repair company must first determine the extent of the settling problem and identify areas where the push piers should be installed. The work begins by excavating soil at the foundation perimeter where the piers are to be installed.
The push piers are driven into the ground until the piers hit bedrock, the most solid strata beneath the soft layers of top soil. The upper end of the push piers are fitted with customized shelf-support type brackets. The “arm” of the bracket is positioned underneath the edge of the concrete slab to prepare for the lifting.
Specially designed hydraulic pumps then pump fluid under high pressure inito the sleeved pipe (piers). The sleeved pipes need to expand to relieve the hydraulic pressure. Because the bedrock end cannot move downward the internal pressure is relieved by lifting the concrete foundation.
As each push pier lifts its particular point into position the pier is secured with a pin or weld, and the hydraulic line then removed. When all piers have been secured, the foundation is checked to assure it is level and then the excavated dirt is replaced.
Finding A Push Pier Contractor
Choosing a foundation repair company that offers steel push piers is relatively easy. After doing a simple Google search and making a few phone calls you can find a qualified foundation repair contractor. An extended but important consideration for your contractor is to find a company that can also complete other necessary repairs to brick, stone, mortar or masonry wall cracks. Before you hire a foundation repair company you should make certsain that they can provide a truly complete job.
Posted on behalf of John Anglin, Anglin’s Foundation & Masonry Repairs
