Drainage Correction-
A system in which the foundation is protected against excessive water damage.
Depending upon the grade of the land at and around the foundation, a French
drain or swale would be used to direct run-off.
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Ponding water can promote extreme foundation
settlement when the soil stays excessively wet.
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Flooding or rushing water can cause
serious damage by erosion of soil at/or under the structure.
Root Barriers-
A system in which the foundation is protected from migrating tree roots.
A special barrier system is installed between the foundation and each tree
located within ten feet of the structure to promote root growth away from
the structure.
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Tree roots tend to grow underneath foundations
due to consistent moisture content of the soil under a structure.
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Tree root growth under a structure can
create havoc to a foundation resulting in irreparable damage.
Caulking of
Exterior Seals - A Process used to seal window and door openings where
leaks have occurred due to foundation settlement. Special care is taken
in removing all old and deteriorated caulking from window and door openings,
and is then replaced with rubberized silicone weather-resistant caulk.
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When a structure settles and/or shifts,
the veneer pulls away from window and door openings resulting in energy
loss.
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Separations in window and door openings
also allows damage from outside elements and could contribute to serious
damage to structural framework over a period of time.
Mortar or Tuck-Pointing
Brick - A process
used to repair the mortar and improve the appearance of the brick veneer
on the exterior of the home. Special masonry tools and skilled technicians
are used to place and color match new mortar to damaged areas in the existing
brick veneer.
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Structure settlement creates cracks
on exterior walls in which mortar breaks away from the brick.
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Cracked, broken and separated veneer
should be repaired to restore the original beauty of the home.
Pressure Checks-
A service performed prior to and after repair. Prior to and after raising
the structure, water supply line pressure readings are taken, using normal
supply guidelines.
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Leaking water supply lines can cause
pooling under the structure.
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Pooling water can create many foundation
problems including but not limited to settling and slab fractures.
Low Pressure Mud
Pumping - A process used to fill the void beneath the foundation after
raising/lifting the slab. A mechanical pump is used to pump a type of liquid
concrete underneath the slab wherever necessary to fill any air pockets.
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When the slab is raised less than two
inches, this process is recommended to prevent any air pockets under the
slab.
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When the slab is raised more than two
inches, this process is required to insure stabilization of the slab caused
by the raising or lifting process.
Termite Shields-
A system that is installed in pier and beam foundations to prevent termites.
Metal shields are placed between the pier and the floor system.
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Used to prevent migration of termites
and other insects.
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Aids in the prevention of structural
damage caused by termites, carpenter ants, etc.
Interior Pier
or Re-shimming - A
process that is used in pier & beam foundations to raise interior floor
levels, and make simple floor level adjustments. Commonly used wood
shims are replaced with high quality steel shims which are termite resistant.
Shaker Sill-
A 4" x 6" treated lumber that is placed perpendicular to the floor joist
to stabilize the floor system in pier and beam foundations.
Grade
Beam - Perimeter load-bearing support of a structure.
Pressed-Piling
Pier - A pier system
that is installed under the exterior grade beam of a structure for stabilization.
The pier is placed directly under the grade beam of the structure using
extreme pressure hydraulics and is driven straight down, as deep as necessary,
to become embedded into solid strata and hold it securely in place. The
press-piling pier will remain solid even with the excessive expansion and
contraction of the soil around it. It is highly recommended for its
stability and strength in all types of soil.
Double Eight Drilled Pier-
A pier system that is used when "poured in place concrete piers" are required.
The areas where pier placement is necessary, technicians dig holes, then
drill shafts. Rebar is placed in the holes and the shafts are filled with
wet concrete.
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This type of pier system is most favorable
for use on wing walls and other areas where periodic adjustment may become
necessary.
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In areas where stable soil is prominent,
this type of pier system is optimal.
Natural Position-
The natural position of a structure is determined by LASER levels, floor
levels, and where the brick, doors and windows were originally placed on
the slab.
Swale-
A drainage problem correction. A gently dug ditch, planted with grass,
that will guide problem water away from a structure's foundation. |
