The foundation is the main determinant of the durability of any structure. When the building has a good foundation, it will last for many years and have very few structural complications. On the other hand, when the building has foundation issues, it becomes very weak and even unsafe for the people living in it. Here are a few important things you should know about foundation repair in Des Moines IA.
Signs of a weak foundation
There are certain things that can act as indicators that the foundation to your house has been compromised. Here are a few of these signs:
1. When cracks start appearing on the floor and the walls
2. When doors stop locking the way that they used to previously
3. When spaces appear between the walls and the floor
If you notice one or more of these signs, you are supposed to get an expert in foundation repairs to help you with repairs. Ignoring these signs of foundation issues will worsen the problem and cause serious structural problems to the house.
The methods used in repairs
Different repair mechanisms are used depending on the type of foundation that is in question. Here are some of the commonly applied tactics.
Helical pier driving heads
These are anchors that are used to support the whole foundation structure. Normally, the piers are installed during the making of the foundation. However, in case they weren’t installed at the start, they can be added. They work by distributing the weight of the building to the points where the soil is strongest.
Supporting sagging floors by jacking them up
Foundation problems lead to the floors sagging. This means that when addressing the problem, the floors will have to be supported. Steel shims are used to support the ends of the floor that are sagging. This evens out the surface and makes the floors level out.
These are just a few of the methods that are used in supporting a weakened foundation. After the foundation has been supported, the experts will lo help you make repairs to the areas that got cracked to strengthen the building.