Things You Need To Know About Foundation Repair in Decatur
A foundation is the part of a building that supports the structure and allows it to stand firm on its own. The foundation is usually made up of a combination of concrete, brick, stone, or cinder block. The type of foundation you have will determine how well your house can withstand earthquakes and other natural disasters.
The most common foundations are:
Slab-on-grade. This type of foundation rests directly on top of the ground without any posts or beams supporting it. It’s typically used in areas where the soil is hard and stable and doesn’t require much extra support.
Concrete pier or stem wall. A pier is a vertical post that supports the weight of the building at one end while running down into the ground at the other end. A stem wall is similar but it runs horizontally along the perimeter instead of vertically through the middle like piers do. Both piers and stem walls are commonly used in earthquake-prone areas where there’s a high risk for liquefaction (when loose soil turns into quicksand under pressure).
Steel piles or columns. Steel piles are steel rods driven into bedrock or solid rock deep underground so they can hold up a building from below instead of from above like other foundations do (see above).
However, no matter how strong the foundations are they can still get damaged. In fact, the most common cause of foundation damage is from water. If there’s flooding or a leaky pipe below ground, it can lead to erosion and corrosion of steel and concrete. Another problem that can occur is when the soil around a foundation moves because of earthquakes or other natural disasters. This movement can cause cracks in the walls that allow water in, which weakens them even more.
Decatur Foundation Repair
A Decatur foundation repair contractor can help you identify the source of the problem and how to fix it. They can also tell you if your house needs a new foundation or if there’s an easier, cheaper solution.
Conclusion
If your home has been damaged by water, it’s important to call a professional right away. They can assess the damage and determine whether or not any repairs are needed. If so, they’ll be able to find out what caused the problem in the first place and how to prevent it from happening again.