In the Milwaukee area homeowners can use the services of an experienced basement and foundation repair company to perform strengthening of the concrete. This procedure may be necessary if the soil underneath the foundation is beginning to weaken. Subsidence is the number one cause of cracked foundations, water leakage into basements and leaning floors. A Milwaukee underpinning contractor may specialize in mass concrete additions, concrete beams or steel casings. The type of procedure used depends on the depth of the bedrock, the composition of the soil and the shape of the home as well as its weight distribution.
Weakened Basement Walls
A basement may extend far below the level of the exterior foundation. If the foundation itself is cracking due to subsidence the resulting exposure can mean water seepage from the soil. Even though the basement floor remains relatively firm this water seepage begins to accelerate the instability of the soil around the foundation. Most water damage in basements is caused by a cracked foundation.
A Milwaukee underpinning company will inspect the concrete supports and localize the problem. If the soil is becoming unstable a mass concrete underpinning procedure may be recommended. This involves digging around the existing foundation and placing box containers in the areas where the soil remains dense. Concrete is poured into the boxes to deepen the foundation, extend its breadth or both.
Grout Repair Methods
An alternative to the concrete pouring method is the introduction of grout. Large amounts of grout can be pumped into the soil below the foundation, bonding it to the more dense soil found at greater depths. This procedure is recommended when the bedrock is too deep or there is possible danger when digging up soil close to the foundation. Often the soil is too soft and removing it in preparation for concrete pouring can actually do more harm than good.
Homeowners in the Milwaukee area experiencing sagging foundations or cracked basements can receive free estimates from Accurate Basement Repair. This company specializes in all types of structural reinforcement and can design a customized repair plan for all home types. Accurate Basement Repair is the Milwaukee underpinning service specialist and guarantees all work performed.