The foundation is undoubtedly the most important part of your home or business, and it’s also one of the most difficult to repair. Replacing house foundations is an incredibly challenging task that can require moving the home completely to lay a new foundation. This leaves many homeowners looking for other solutions to repair their homes’ foundations.
Can You Replace Foundations Without Lifting Houses?
In general, completely replacing a foundation beneath a house is accomplished by moving the home off the foundation as if it were being moved to another location. The old foundation is removed, and a new one is built in its place. The home is then put back on the new foundation.
It is possible to replace a foundation without moving the house that much, although many would still call it lifting the house. Hydraulic jacks are used to slightly raise the house, relieving pressure from the foundation. Cribbing (wooden support structures) is then added underneath the home to hold it in place.
The job of removing the foundation and laying a new one is then done with the house overhead. Attempting to replace a foundation without lifting the house turns an already big job into a major challenge — one that most homeowners should try to avoid. For this reason, most people opt for foundation repairs instead.
As one of the top foundation repair companies in Houston, URETEK Gulf Coast offers professional concrete leveling in Houston.
Reasons to Replace Foundation Under Existing Houses
There are many potential reasons for replacing house foundations. In some cases, more moderate solutions can repair the issue. However, there are rare circumstances where a foundation reaches a point beyond repair.
Foundation settlement is one major issue, where soil shifts underneath the foundation to cause it to sink unevenly, creating a slanted foundation. However, there are better alternatives than trying to replace the foundation under an existing house to correct settlement.
Discover the major signs of foundation problems in Texas.
Alternative Methods to Repair Your Foundation (Without Lifting the House)
Since completely replacing a home foundation is obviously an extreme measure, specialists recommend doing repairs instead. Depending on the specific issue, there are many options to fix your home’s foundation.
The foundation repair techniques below implement some of the latest tools and most effective methods in the industry today. They can deliver results without the challenge of attempting to replace a foundation.
Pressed Piling Foundation Repair
Concrete piling systems are one of the most popular foundation repair methods in Texas and surrounding states. When done professionally, pressed piling foundation repair is long-lasting, non-intrusive, and cost-effective.
The process is fairly straightforward. First, a series of 12”x6” concrete cylinders are driven into the soil below the foundation to stabilize your home. The goal is to reach the soil with a high load-bearing ability to support the structure. Depending on the condition of your foundation soil, your technician may use a string of eight or more piles before finding soil strong enough.
Polyurethane Foam Jacking
Another common foundation repair technique uses polyurethane foam to raise and stabilize sunken concrete foundations.
The process involves drilling ⅝” holes into the concrete slab and injecting foam material using a delivery port attached to an injection gun. The polyurethane foam expands in seconds and raises the concrete.
For more alternative home foundation repair methods, contact URETEK Gulf Coast today.
Looking to Repair Your House Foundation in Houston, TX?
When your home or business needs trusted foundation repair here in Houston, TX, you can count on the professionals at URETEK Gulf Coast. We’ll carefully evaluate your foundation damage and let you know your options. We’re trained in leveling house foundations and preventing building foundation failure.
Contact our team today to get your free estimate.