WALL REPAIRS AND UNDERPINNING
Wall
Repairs (Leakage)
Basement walls can be repaired either from the interior or exterior.
Interior
Repairs
Repairs done from the inside
are generally considered temporary and therefore done at a cheaper cost.
Exterior
Repairs
Involves excavating to expose the area that needs to be repaired.
Once exposed, the wall must be thoroughly cleaned to assess the extent
and type of damage.
As there
are many components and methods of repairs available, each wall must be
properly assessed to determine the correct approach to take.
If the wrong product or method of repair is used, it can accelerate deterioration of the wall and develop future structural concerns.
Underpinning
Underpinning is the process of providing additional support to existing
foundations at or below grade. There are several methods of underpinning
available today. Each of these methods has its unique qualities.
Spread
Bore Piles
These are designed to spread
the weight of a structure over a large area at shallow depths. Typically
these footings are installed on undesturbed inorganic native materials.
Protection from frost penetration to their base is essential.
Jack
Piles
Jack piles are essentially lengths of steel pipe or steel I-beams
hydraulically jacked into the soil next to or directly beneath the structure.
Jack piles use the weight of the structure to push the pile into the ground.
Short pieces of pipe / I-Beam is then attached together as they are pushed
downwards.
Screw
Piles
Similar to Jack Piles as they use the weight of the structure to assist
in screwing a large diameter screw into the ground.
End
Bearing Piles
End bearing piles are piles that are drilled to firm soils that are unaffected
by soil moisture changes and have high compressive strengths. Steel reinforcing
and concrete are then poured into the hole creating a large footprint
similar to a pad footing.
Friction
Piles
Friction piles are the most widely used type of pile today as they are
the most reliable.These piles are drilled similar to the end bearing piles.
Once the soil has been removed from the hole steel reinforcing and concrete
are poured into the hole. These piles are more reliable as they use the
friction that results from the contact between the concrete to the soil.
Friction piles do not require the building to be used as the driving force,
therfore safety margins for increased future loading and/or soil changes
are easily incorporated.
Teleposts
Teleposts are adjustable steel posts that support the main beam which
in turn support the floor joists and main floor through the center of
the house. Concrete pads under the basement floor usually support these
steel posts. These pads are at the same depth as the outside foundation
wall footings.
The exterior
foundation walls support the ends of the main beam and the ends of the
floor joists.
In newer homes especially within the first year, care must be taken to
make adjustments to these posts as the wooden beams and joists dry and
shrink.
In newer homes especially within the first year, care must be taken to
make adjustments to these posts as the wooden beams and joists dry and
shrink.
If the soil under the footings and pads shrinks or swells similar movement
can occur to the teleposts. Your Abalon representative will give you any
information you require regarding teleposts.
Contact Abalon for solutions to your weeping tile, sumps and window well problems.