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Foundation Support Solutions That Protect Your Home

Groundworks crewman installing piers.

Without a strong foundation, your home is at risk of collapse. That’s why you’ll want to address any structural issues as soon as you notice them.

Investing in foundation support can protect your home from damage and help you avoid more expensive repairs in the future. Below, learn the common causes of foundation damage and how to fix it.

What Causes Foundation Problems?

Various factors can lead to an issue with your foundation, including:

Clay Soils

Many homes in Salt Lake City, especially properties near the Great Salt Lake, are built on clay soils that expand when wet and contract when dry. This soil movement places stress on a foundation, potentially causing cracking, shifting, and settling.

Freeze-Thaw Cycles

When water from heavy rainfall or snowmelt saturates the soil under your home, it can freeze, expand, thaw, and contract. This process, known as a freeze-thaw cycle, is common in Salt Lake City during the winter and can put an incredible amount of pressure on your foundation.

Cold Joints

Local homebuilders sometimes use multiple concrete pours when constructing a concrete foundation. This allows them time to reinforce the foundation with footings, beams, and other features that counteract the effects of clay soil movement.

The problem is that this process may introduce a cold joint, which forms when homebuilders pour fresh concrete onto hard concrete due to a delay between pours. The weak bond between the two layers of concrete might cause foundation cracks and water seepage.

Other causes of foundation problems include:

  • Inadequate drainage systems
  • Seismic activity (common in Utah)
  • Expanding tree roots
  • Improper foundation construction

When You Need Foundation Support

You may need a foundation repair specialist if you experience any of the following:

Contact Groundworks if you notice these signs of foundation damage. Serving Salt Lake City and the surrounding areas, we specialize in custom-engineered products that support your foundation and preserve your home’s value.

Foundation Support Methods

The foundation repair solution you need depends on your specific problem. Here are some techniques and products that support your home:

Foundation Underpinning

Underpinning means transferring your foundation’s load to soil that can better support it, usually located deep down in the ground. Groundworks can do this by using the following types of foundation piers:

Push pier attached to a home's foundations.
  • Push piers: Our team can drive push piers dep into the soil to stabilize and potentially lift your foundation.
  • Helical piers: These foundation piers screw into the ground to access soil that push piers can’t reach. Helical piers are a good choice for sinking foundations caused by soil movement.
  • Slab piers: Ideal for concrete slab foundations, slab piers prevent future settlement and stabilize your home.

Crawl Space Jacks

IntelliJack supports in a crawl space.

Crawl space jacks (or house floor jacks) bolster the floor joists that support the floors in your crawl space. They can be useful if you have uneven floors because of foundation problems.

Wall Anchors

Wall anchor embedded in a concrete basement wall.

If foundation damage has caused bowing walls in your basement, wall anchors may provide a solution. They stabilize walls by pulling them back to their original positions.

Carbon Fiber Wall Reinforcement

Carbon fiber on a basement wall.

Carbon fiber wall reinforcement can stabilize a bowing basement wall. It involves attaching a carbon fiber strip to the wall with epoxy resin and wall brackets.

Why Choose Groundworks for Foundation Support?

Groundworks crewman with pier.

A lot can go wrong with your foundation, so looking for signs of damage and taking immediate action is essential. Groundworks can identify the root cause of your foundation problem and install products like foundation piers and crawl space jacks that protect your home and family. Contact our team to learn more.