- Why do walls bow?
- How do you know the number of piers to use?
- What if my wall is cracked?
- How do you keep the soil from pushing on the wall again?
- Will my foundation raise back to original height?
- Is this a permanent solution?
- Can I still live in my house while the work is being performed?
- How far down will the piers be pushed?
- Are the piers strong enough to support the structure?
- What is the major difference between piers?
Most Wisconsin homes have basement walls below grade. Over time the settling of ground, clay swelling, the plugging of drain tile, extensive rains, and plumbing leaks can cause a basement wall to bow, tilt inwards, and crack. To repair a bowed wall the first step to this process is to eliminate the problem by excavating and removing the earth pressure against the wall. In most cases this highly expansive clay is the main cause of the foundation bowing.
How do you know the number of piers to use?
Spacing is often determined by the weight of the structure or the weight of the soil pressure along the foundation. Other considerations will be the construction of the foundation (i.e. poured or block foundation). The quantity of piers is determined by the linear footage of the effected area.
In most cases cracks are a sign that your foundation is settling or bowing in. RaiseRite’s experienced staff will help you determine if this cracking is cosmetic, or if foundation repair is necessary.
How do you keep the soil from pushing on the wall again?
A non expansive granular fill is used to backfill, typically a 3/4” clean stone. A geo-fabric is placed over the fill and the top 2’ is filled with topsoil and graded to drain away from the structure. This helps with drainage and relieves pressure from the wall.
Will my foundation raise back to original height?
In most cases the structure is raised to the point where it is not visually detectable. It usually is not a matter of raising it higher, but how high the owner wants the structure. When you raise a structure it may cause new cracks or open old ones. The process of raising it is a team effort between the owner and piering crew.
Yes! Since the piers are pushed through the layer of soil that affects your foundation, it takes the variable of soil condition out of the equation.
Can I still live in my house while the work is being performed?
Yes, most of the work is performed around the outside of the home with minimal disruption to the homeowner. In some projects, it may be necessary to work from the inside. Even in those conditions, it will not cause the homeowner to vacate the structure.
How far down will the piers be pushed?
The piers have to be embedded into a hard stratum. We will not stop at a predetermined depth, the piers have to be able to support the two or three times the weight of the structure. This depth will vary based on different soil conditions across the state.
Are the piers strong enough to support the structure?
Yes, we have installed these piers under three story buildings, huge machine bases, and large tanks. The maximum capacity of the piers probably will not be reached, which allows for a higher factor of safety.
What is the major difference between piers?
Some piers have a smaller shaft, which may cause the piers to bend or fail. The larger in diameter the stronger the lateral load on the pier. A 3 to 4 inch in diameter pier is the best for raising structures because of the load capacities.
