Tag: commercial remodeling contractors

Foundation Repair Basics

Pros Foundation Repair Greensboro NC requires a delicate balance of courage, knowledge, and prudence. Addressing minor cracks promptly and maintaining proper grading, gutters, and drainage minimize conditions that accelerate deterioration and ensure structural stability in the long run.

Foundation Repair

Some settling of the foundation is normal, but excessive or uneven settling can lead to bowed walls, cracked floors, gaps around windows and doors, and other serious problems.

Underpinning, also known as house or building underpinning, is a way to strengthen your foundation by redistributing its weight over a larger area. It can be performed for a variety of reasons, including shoring up a structure that wasn’t originally built to standards or has degraded over time, to fix foundations that may be subject to subsidence or land slippage, and to prepare a foundation to support structural adjustments or additional weight.

Whether your home needs underpinning is determined by the results of an expert foundation inspection. The inspector will evaluate the state of your foundation and determine if underpinning is necessary to restore and strengthen the original foundation or to accommodate a structural modification.

There are a number of signs that indicate the need for underpinning, such as uneven or sunken floors or wall cracks from side to side. Foundation settlement can be caused by a number of issues, including improper soil compaction during construction, changes in use or renovations that add weight to the building, nearby construction that necessitates soil excavation, or natural settling over time.

One of the most common methods for underpinning is through concrete underpinning. This method involves pouring new larger concrete footings beneath the existing foundation to improve stability and strength. This is a relatively quick and affordable repair that can be used for homes with minor to moderate foundation issues.

Other types of underpinning include jack pile underpinning, mass pouring underpinning, and mudjacking. Jack pile underpinning is a type of hydraulic underpinning that utilizes jacks to lift and reinforce the foundation. It is most commonly used on weakened or compromised foundations, and it can be performed in various soil conditions. Mass pouring underpinning is a more intensive technique that involves removing the unstable soil and replacing it with large concrete slabs or “mass sections.”

Mudjacking is another form of underpinning, but it uses polyurethane material rather than cement. It’s not a long-term solution and is only really effective in a few situations, such as when the house needs to be jacked up quickly for emergency purposes.

Concrete Piers

A strong foundation is the backbone of your home, but soil shifts can cause it to weaken and crack over time. Concrete piers, or pilings, are a great solution for stabilizing your foundation and stopping future shifting and sinking. This method uses drilled holes and liquid concrete to anchor your foundation to stable ground, and it can also be used to lift homes and other buildings. Learn more about the drilled concrete pier process, including costs and benefits, to see if this is the right solution for your foundation repair needs.

Drilled concrete piers are an affordable and durable solution to stabilize your foundation. They work by drilling deep into your soil until stable soil or bedrock is reached. Then, they are filled with liquid concrete and cured. Once cured, they will transfer the weight of your structure to the underlying soil or bedrock, stopping further shifting and sinking and stabilizing your foundation.

In contrast to footings, which spread the load of your structure horizontally, piers transfer the load vertically, so they are a better option for structures with severe settlement issues. Concrete piers are also an ideal option for repairing pier and beam foundations, which can often develop damage due to moisture changes or age. The concrete piers can be poured into sonotubes, which are concrete tubes that add extra support, or they can be inserted into existing wood beams to provide additional strength.

Compared to steel piers, concrete piers are more cost-effective, making them an affordable choice for many homeowners. However, they may not be as long-lasting, especially in regions with high moisture levels. They also don’t reach as deep into the ground, which means they might not be a good fit for some homes with serious shifting and soil movement problems.

It’s important to find a foundation repair professional with experience and an established track record. Compare quotes and look for a balance of expertise, quality of materials, and price. You can even ask for references from past clients so you can learn more about their experiences with the company. Ask the professionals about their warranties and aftercare services, as well. This will help you determine which company is best suited to meet your unique repair and stabilization needs.

Steel Piers

If you’ve noticed cracks in the walls, doors or windows, a subtle (but unmistakable) floor slant, or other foundation issues, it might be time to get your home lifted and stabilized. The most effective way to do this is by using structural steel piers, also known as “driven” concrete piers or pile guard piers. This method lifts, *levels and stabilizes the foundation, providing a long-term solution for your foundation problems.

This service is usually completed in one day, with minimal disruption to the property and with no need to move or displace the house. Our crew starts by making a 3’x4′ excavation adjacent to the foundation and approximately 10″ below the footing bottom. A support bracket is installed and a hydraulic system connected to it. A steel pipe is then advanced through the bracket until it reaches the point of refusal, which in most cases means the load-bearing strata of the soil. Once the pipe reaches this point, the unified hydraulic jacking system stops driving. The piers are then installed, backfilled and tamped. The resulting lifting, *leveling and stabilization of the foundation eliminates both the cause (unstable soil) and its consequences (dwelling out of level) in one step.

Steel piers are a great option for lifting and stabilizing your home’s foundation because they can reach deeper into the ground than concrete piers. This is particularly important in areas with expansive clay soil or sand, and for homes on sites with poor drainage. Additionally, steel piers are less susceptible to moisture swelling, which can damage concrete piers over time.

While concrete piers are an excellent choice for some homes, it’s important to speak with a foundation repair expert to determine which solution is best for your home and your soil conditions. Concrete piers offer lower upfront costs, but they’re more vulnerable to moisture swelling and can’t be driven as deep as steel piers.

Whether you’re dealing with expansive clay, sand, or other soil conditions, our team can help you find the right solution to restore your foundation. Give us a call today to learn more about our steel piers or schedule a free estimate.

Mudjacking

Mudjacking is an effective way to repair concrete slabs that have sunk. It is much less invasive than concrete replacement and offers long-term stability. It is also less expensive than more comprehensive foundation repair methods.

The process involves pumping a mixture of water, soil and Portland cement under sagging or sunken concrete to lift it back to its original level. A professional will drill holes into the concrete and then pump the slurry underneath. This method can be used for patios, driveways and sidewalks.

Many different factors can contribute to the sinking of concrete slabs. For example, erosion from rainwater or irrigation can wash away soil beneath the slab, causing it to lose support. Poor soil compaction can also cause slabs to settle unevenly. If the ground around a slab is unstable, it can be susceptible to freeze-thaw cycles that can lead to shifting in the structure. In some cases, tree roots can interfere with a slab’s support system.

While mudjacking is an effective solution for uneven concrete, it will not address more significant structural damage. If a slab is severely damaged, it will likely need to be replaced with a new one. Unlike mudjacking, foundation repair with piles or piers can restore a slab to its original position and help it stay there.

If you have a sagging or sunken concrete slab on your property, it’s important to take action quickly to prevent further damage. A concrete contractor can help you determine the best solution for your situation, whether that’s mudjacking or more comprehensive foundation repair.

How Much Will a Steel Building Cost?

Steel buildings offer many advantages over other types of construction. They are strong, durable and affordable. They can be built on a variety of sites. They are pest-resistant and can reduce maintenance costs.

Steel Building

They also offer great flexibility in terms of spatial design. This includes the option to add rooms or expand them in the future. They are also designed to withstand seismic activity.

If you’re in the market for a new steel building, chances are you want to know how much it will cost. Pricing a steel building depends on many different factors, including how you will use the structure and where it will be situated. It’s also important to consider the cost of foundation, site preparation, and other elements that can add up quickly.

Fortunately, you can reduce construction costs by making smart design choices. For example, changing the dimensions of a steel building can significantly lower its overall price. Steel buildings are typically 5-7 percent cheaper than wood or concrete structures. This is partly due to the fact that they require less material.

Another way you can save money is by choosing a metal building with prefabricated components. These are shipped to the site ready to assemble, reducing labor costs. This can be particularly beneficial for industrial projects, where downtime can eat into profits.

Steel is a durable, long-lasting material that is not prone to damage from extreme weather conditions. This makes it an ideal choice for garages, warehouses and other commercial and industrial applications. It can stand up to high winds, heavy snowfall and seismic events without suffering significant structural damage. Furthermore, metal buildings are fire resistant, which can reduce insurance costs.

Additionally, steel is one of the most abundant materials in the world, and manufacturers can produce it using efficient supply chains and distribution strategies. This makes steel a cost-effective option when building a new facility or upgrading an existing structure.

The construction process is also faster with steel. Unlike other materials, steel is prefabricated at the factory and arrives at the construction site ready to erect. This eliminates the need for onsite welding, cutting and reworking, which reduces construction time and labour costs.

Furthermore, steel is light in weight compared to other materials. This allows it to be used with a shallower foundation, which saves on construction and excavation costs. Plus, steel buildings feature clear-span framing, which means they can be expanded later on if necessary. This can be done by adding more floor space or extending the roof.

Versatility

The most popular use for steel building is for warehouses, but they can be used for a variety of other purposes. They’re the perfect solution for industrial facilities such as service garages, auto detailing, towing companies, cold storage warehouses and more. They’re also ideal for agricultural buildings, manufacturing plants and other large-scale commercial operations.

The versatility of steel buildings comes from their modular design and pre-engineered components. These parts are designed to fit together without a lot of time and effort, which saves money in construction costs. It also reduces the chances of human error, which can lead to costly mistakes when using traditional building materials.

In addition to their pre-engineered parts, steel structures are also much quicker to erect than traditional buildings. They can be built in half the time and for a fraction of the cost of other building materials. This means you can get the space you need quickly and start your business or project sooner.

Another reason that steel buildings are so versatile is that they’re more flexible than traditional buildings when it comes to modifying and expanding. Steel construction makes it easy to add new wing or floor layouts, expand existing rooms and install mezzanine floors without the hassle of having to move the entire structure. This level of flexibility is a huge benefit for companies that have to deal with frequent changes in production or equipment needs.

Aside from being highly customizable, steel is also a durable material that’s resistant to extreme weather conditions. Many steel building panels can withstand high winds, heavy snow, lightning and hail. They’re also impervious to pest infestation, making them a great option for people looking for a safe and secure place to live.

These benefits make steel a great choice for anyone who’s looking to build a custom industrial facility, warehouse, office building or any other type of commercial structure. They’re ideal for companies that require a lot of flexibility and are a good investment for businesses that want to grow their customer base, as well as those who need a safe place to store their equipment and supplies.

Resilience

A resilient building is one that can withstand, respond to and recover rapidly from natural disasters like hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, earthquakes and other weather events. The concept of resilience is growing in importance, and specifiers are increasingly being tasked with ensuring that buildings will be able to function before, during and immediately after a disaster strikes. This means that they need to specify materials that are resistant to high winds, water pressure and corrosion.

The type of framing material used in a construction project has a big impact on a building’s resiliency, and cold-formed steel is a good choice for many reasons. Among other things, it is strong, durable and can contribute to a building’s sustainability goals. Additionally, it won’t burn or corrode and is resistant to pests. It also has a high strength-to-weight ratio and ductility, which makes it perfect for resisting seismic and high wind events.

When it comes to building resiliency, the most important thing is to use a design that incorporates several different aspects of a structure’s makeup. For example, a resilient design should include elements like a flexible floor system and redundant connections that can be repaired quickly after a disaster. Additionally, a resilient design should have backup systems to ensure that vital services can continue operating during and after a disaster.

Resilient steel buildings are a smart option because they provide greater protection for the people who live and work in them. Despite being extremely robust, they can be easily adjusted to accommodate changes in a building’s occupancy. This flexibility makes them ideal for a variety of applications, including offices and retail spaces.

Another important feature of resilient steel buildings is their fire resistance. They can withstand the intense heat of a large fire, and they are not easily damaged by fire-resistant coatings. This fire resistance can save lives and reduce the cost of a rebuild.

The resiliency of steel buildings can be further enhanced through the use of pre-engineered trusses and joists. These standardized components can be used to make a building more durable, and they can help reduce costs in the long run. This is because they eliminate the need for labor-intensive onsite construction, and they are usually ready to use within weeks of delivery.

Maintenance

While most people think of steel buildings for garages, shops, warehouses and other industrial facilities, these durable structures can be used for nearly any purpose. For example, they make excellent service industry buildings and are suitable for auto detailing, towing companies, storage, shipping or cold storage warehouses, and even distilleries and breweries. A metal building is also an excellent choice for a manufacturing plant or assembly shop because it has an open floor plan and can be designed to accommodate workflow needs.

In addition, steel is resistant to the normal wear and tear associated with other construction materials, so a metal building will require less maintenance than a traditional wood or brick structure. Steel buildings are also designed to withstand strong weather conditions, including high winds, heavy snowfall and floods. And because they are fire-resistant, your insurance costs may be lower than if you had a wood building.

Steel buildings can be built with a variety of different color panels, so you can choose the design that best suits your tastes and business. However, adding more panels to your building will add to the overall cost because more components and a greater installation effort are involved. You should weigh these additional costs against the long-term benefits of a well-designed and attractive facility.

Another benefit of metal buildings is that they are not susceptible to the damage caused by termites and other pests. These infestations can significantly increase your maintenance costs, especially if you live in an area where termites are common.

While metal buildings do not need much maintenance, you should still perform routine checks to ensure there are no issues that need attention. For example, check that there are no tools or ladders hanging from the outside of your steel building and that nothing is touching the exterior walls or roof. Also, perform a regular inspection to ensure the metal isn’t showing signs of corrosion or discoloration. These simple maintenance tasks can save you money in the long run and prevent future repairs.