Underpinning Calgary
Helical screw piles can be used to repair a home’s failing foundation through a process known as underpinning. Sometimes a change in soil conditions will occur under the structural foundation of a house. When this happens, the foundation is no longer properly supported by the ground. Damage can be observed in several different ways when this occurs:
- The flooring may begin to slope.
- Windows and doors can bind and not open or close properly.
- Tile and cement flooring will display cracks.
- Gaps may become visible between ceilings and walls.
- Walls can rotate and lift from the floor.
- Molding and trim will no longer fit together and can be detached from the ceiling, wall, or floor.
- Exterior decks, staircases, and chimneys can become detached from the house.
The structural foundation of a residential home is what holds the rest of the structure in place. And when the very foundation fails, the damage is significant. Fortunately, underpinning repair services from the Calgary Screw Piles can help.
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What is Underpinning?
A form of foundation repair using screw piles is called underpinning. Underpinning is where helical piles are installed under an unsupported foundation to restore and even improve the load-bearing capacity of the foundation. Helical piles have a screw-shaped helix on a shaft that is inserted into the earth using specialized machinery. With the helix’s ability to screw into the earth, the structure above will have a solid and safe base to hold the load of the structure above without shifting, settling, or heaving.
Screw piles for underpinning have the benefit of being quick and simple to install without requiring excavation or other disruptive processes. They are therefore an excellent option for underpinning in confined or difficult-to-access spaces. Screw piles are also extremely resilient and have a wide range of load-carrying capacities, making them appropriate for a variety of applications.
How Does Underpinning Work?
The Calgary Screw Pile Pros can support a failed foundation by underpinning the existing foundation with screw piles. This foundation repair method takes the load of the unsupported foundation and supports it with a screw pile foundation that is installed under the existing foundation of your home. Underpinning is done by excavating as little earth as possible under the existing foundation. Through a specialized process, helical piles are then turned into the soil beneath the house and attached to the existing foundation using a special bracket. These special brackets transfer the structural load of the home’s foundation to the screw piles, which in turn transmit the load deep into the ground. Because helical pier foundations are securely anchored deep into the ground, they are very stable and do not erode or shift. A well-underpinned foundation will not only repair but also extend the life of your home’s foundation.
How Long Does it Take to Underpin a Residential Home Foundation?
Because excavation is required during an underpinning repair, home owners can expect a project to last from 2 to 6 weeks. This timeframe is dependent on the size of the home and how many helical piles are needed to fix the foundation.
To have your questions about underpinning answered feel free to contact the Calgary Screw Pile Pros today.
