Slab Leveling Archives | FOUNDATIONS ON THE LEVEL

Common Slab Foundation Repair

There are so many reasons why your slab foundation might need repairs. In this article, we’ll talk about common problems homeowners have with their foundation and some ways to repair these problems.

One common slab foundation problem is the disruption in the slab. This can create complications that consist of uneven floors and walls, and tilting countertops. The best solution for this problem is to have a contractor come take a look at your foundation to determine the cause.

Another problem is foundation cracks. They harm slabs made of concrete and may cause your foundation to separate at the joints. Obstacles commonly include gaps that are relatively small, although they can become larger if not fixed quickly. The one way to fix this is to install concrete piers.

Another common problem homeowners have is settling and sinking slabs. These are both signals that your foundation is moving and damage is occurring. Common causes of shifting in your foundation can be soil and water. Ways to fix this problem is to install additional foundation piers. This has been an issue all through the 1900s and is still affecting houses built today.

Piers also could have shifted. Concrete or steel piers can both collapse over a period of time can create a dilemma. After all, it would be most unusual for them to last forever. You’ll want to make sure your foundation piers and slab are both secure. Robust foundations rarely fail for no good reason. They’ve improved in the past 30 years.

The last problem is poorly made foundations. Poorly made concrete foundations can cause slabs severe harm if the concrete was not poured thick enough. A thin concrete slab will not support a foundation because of the weight of the house. The best solution is to have your foundation inspected by an experienced contractor who can make your structure last. It’s important that it be made correctly.

More Info

If you are looking for a professional foundation repair company don’t look any further! Here at Foundations on the Level, we strongly believe in quality customer service and treat every home as if it was our own. Our specialists will work directly with you to analyze the unique problems that your home is facing and come up with the best solution for your needs and budget. We have established a fantastic reputation within Orange County & San Diego County for foundation repair, slab releveling, retaining walls, and more. Contact us for a free estimate!

Concrete Leveling Using Polyurethane Foam

Permanently Level and Stabilize Your Concrete This Spring

Springtime is often the time of year that homeowners look to complete home improvements and repairs. As you inspect your home, have you noticed uneven or sinking concrete slabs? Or an increased number of cracks? Foundations on the Level offers a solution to concrete leveling using polyurethane foam. The great news is that using polyurethane foam may permanently level and stabilize your concrete slabs!

An example of a concrete driveway that would benefit from polyurethane concrete leveling. — Example of cracked and sunken concrete

Best in the Industry for Concrete Leveling

In today’s industry, one of the leading solutions for concrete leveling and repair is polymer foam. At Foundations on the Level, we use Accella Polyurethane Systems for their Low-Density Water Blown Spray Foam. This foam spray is developed to meet all slab raising needs while replacing existing blowing agents with zero ozone-depleting solvents. This makes the foam a highly desirable solution as a result due to its environmental friendliness. Accella has overcome a major industry problem by creating this highly stable water-blown spray foam

How Polyurethane Foam Works

In order to fix your slab and raise it back to its original position, Foundations on the Level will evaluate your slab to identify the areas that need the polymer foam applied. Your concrete leveling professional will drill a small hole in the concrete in that area and inject the polymer foam, causing the concrete to rise to its original level. To see this process in action, watch this video.

This Spring, Consider Concrete Leveling With Polyurethane Foam

Foundations on the Level has the knowledge and tools to fix your slab and raise it back to its original position. We offer a free inspection and report for property owners so you can be confident in our expertise. The investment you have in your home or business with our concrete slab repair services. If you are interested in concrete leveling using polyurethane foam, call us today at 760-889-8150

Underpinning Helps DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel at Berkeley Marina

Underpinning helped stablize a building at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel at Berkeley Marina. Built on soft soil, the building tilted more than 20 inches.

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel at Berkeley Marina stabilized with underpinning

FOUNDATIONS ON THE LEVEL was part of a huge project to use underpinning to fix a sinking hotel. The DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel at Berkeley Marina is located less than 5 miles from Emeryville and only 20 minutes from the Oakland International Airport. The hotel is situated on Berkeley Marina.

In early 2011, Helfrich-Associates was asked to examine the hotel and evaluate the structural integrity of a portion of the hotel.

Uneven soil conditions caused tilting

The hotel, built in the 1970s, had a building that was suffering from tilting due to uneven soil conditions.

The building in question, No. 3, was built on a 12-inch thick, reinforced mat foundation that was not sufficient to deal with the settling of soft soils. As a result, the building had tilted more than 20 inches.

Built over a former landfill, the hotel was as close as 20 feet from the bay. Over the years, differential settlement had caused cracking of floor tiles, racking of doors and window frames, separation between cabinets and walls, and roof runoff to enter the building.

The project included analyzing the structural conditions of the building, determining subsurface conditions below the building, evaluating the tilting history of the building, and preparing foundation lifting and stabilization recommendations.

Building now supported on deeper, more uniform soil

Helfrich-Associates determined the best way to level the building was to design and have Foundations On The Level implement a deep underpinning solution to support the building on deeper, more uniform soils.

The proposed solution included building a new foundation under the existing foundation using 3-inch diameter steel resistance piers.

This type of system is installed by using the weight of the building as a reaction force to push the piers into the ground until they reach sufficient resistance.

Due to the very soft soil conditions – combined with the weight of the building (more than 10,000 tons) – the solution required the installation of 252 resistance piers.

What is a Floor Level Survey?

Your house can be moving and you don’t even know it. You also can’t know the extent of the problem without professional help.

At Foundations on the Level, we use professional tools to conduct a comprehensive floor level survey to find the reason why the footings of your home are moving.

Some foundation companies will tell you all you have to do to see if you have foundation settlement is to check for sloping floors. But putting a ball on the floor and seeing if it will roll isn’t really giving you that much information. You might have differential footing movement. This can cause your floors to be uneven and you need a detailed report telling you exactly what you need to do to fix it.

This is where a floor level survey comes in. At Foundations on the Level, we use special tools to give exact measurements of your floor to see if you need foundation piers, smart jacks, or helical tiebacks and if so, how many. We can also tell you exactly where and how we need to install them. This is a forensic test for your home’s foundation. You can see a sample report showing above. It shows the number of piers and where they will be installed around the foundation. It will also show if other solutions are needed such as slab cracks filled with polyurethane.

The solutions we provide are comprehensive so you don’t have to worry about foundation settlement and additional foundation repairs in the future. Our goal is to find a permanent solution to your foundation problems.

Floor level surveys are part of what we do with each foundation inspection. Only then can you feel confident that the solution we’re providing is right for you home. For questions on floor level surveys or our free inspection process for homeowners, give us a call anytime at (760) 889-8150.

Concrete Slab Repair

Wondering when you should hire an expert to repair your concrete slab? This post outlines a few concrete problems that you need to hire a professional for.

Cracks in Concrete Slab

Not all cracks in concrete are cause for concern, but we do recommend having a professional inspect your home if you do happen to notice any cracks. It’s always better to catch a problem early and be able to effectively repair it from the start, rather than allowing the problem to worsen over time. Knowing the type of the crack can help diagnose what the problem is, as well as how to go about fixing them. Expansion cracks, cracks from plastic shrinkage, and settling cracks are a few types of cracks that professionals will look for to help locate the source your foundation problems. You can learn more about these types of common concrete cracks in a previous blog post!

Sloping Concrete Slab

Fluctuating weather conditions, improper soil treatment before pouring a concrete slab, and regular wear and tear can all cause a concrete slab to slope. As the ground beneath the slab settles, the concrete can sink, or slope to one side. As time passes and the ground settles further, the concrete can sink or slope more, adding additional pressure to the slab, and can ultimately cause the slab to crack. It is best to contact a professional as soon as you notice any sloping or sinking in your concrete slab.

Uneven Concrete Slabs

Similar to sloping concrete, uneven concrete can also be caused by different weather conditions and settling. You’ll likely see uneven slabs in places like driveways, pool decks, sidewalks, and patios. Areas where concrete butts up to another piece of concrete are more prone to excessive movement. While uneven slabs in these areas may not need to be repaired immediately, the sooner you can stabilize the movement beneath the concrete slabs, the better.

If you need to repair your concrete slab, we offer free estimates, and perform foundation repairs that can keep your home structurally sound for years to come. Contact us to set up an inspection!

Polyurethane Injection to Raise Slabs

A sunken or uneven slab can cause problems ranging from being unsightly to being a tripping hazard to causing structural damage. In the past, many people would just tear up their old concrete and replace it with a new slab. Removing and replacing a slab is time-consuming, messy, and expensive. Also, it doesn’t take care of the problem that caused the concrete to sink in the first place. This is where polyurethane injection comes in.

raise your slab with a polyurethane injection

FOUNDATIONS ON THE LEVEL uses polyurethane injections to raise your slab. This method takes less time, involves less labor, and costs less money than tearing up and replacing a concrete slab. In addition, it can take care of the underlying issues that caused the slab to settle.

Polyurethane Injection: Lift and Level Your Slab

We are proud to use a product made by one of the industry leaders, Accella. Their low-density polyurethane foam was developed to meet all slab leveling and raising needs. The foam uses blowing agents that use zero ozone-depleting solvents, so it’s better for the environment than some other products our competitors use, without sacrificing effectiveness.

The pros at FOUNDATIONS ON THE LEVEL have the tools and knowledge to raise and level your concrete anywhere in the Orange and San Diego County area. We’ve lifted all kinds of slabs including the list below and more.

Driveways
Foundation Slabs
Steps
Pool Decks
Roads
Parking Lots
Patios
Sidewalks

A Durable Solution for a Sunken Slab

After inspecting your property for free, we’ll determine the cause of your sunken slab and provide you with an estimate for the best solution. If using the polymer foam is the best solution, the process will be completed quickly, with little disruption to your property.

Small holes are drilled into the concrete and the foam is injected beneath the concrete. The foam spreads out, filling any voids below the slab. Once the voids are filled, the foam will continue to expand, compressing any loose soil supporting the concrete. The foam is hydrophobic, so it won’t erode and will dispel any water it encounters. The foam also seals any cracks on the underside of the concrete. The slab is then lifted to within a fraction of inch of the desired height.

Once the slab is at the desired height, the equipment is removed and the holes are filled. The foam takes around 15 minutes to cure, so once everything is cleaned up, you can use the concrete surface like normal.

Contact us to learn more about lifting your concrete slab by polyurethane injection in the San Diego County and Orange County area.

Landslides and Foundation Problems

California has been no stranger to weird weather and other natural occurrences this last year. After wildfires have removed most of the plant life protecting the earth from erosion, record-breaking rainfalls have been taking place. Landslides and other disasters have occurred throughout the state.

This mixture of events can cause a lot of problems for roads and structures around the area. The slides can consist of rockfalls, mudflows, slope failures, and more and can happen anywhere there is a slope gradient, it doesn’t have to be steep, just enough for gravity and momentum to do their thing.

Extreme Damage Caused by Slides

Slides can be tremendous forces of nature, destroying roads, moving vehicles, and leveling buildings. The slide can also pick up trees, objects, and debris, causing damage and blocking waterways which can result in flooding. Mudflows in Southern California in 2018 caused an estimated $177 million in property damage, $7 million in emergency responses, and $43 million in clean up costs, in addition to causing 21 reported deaths and over 150 people being hospitalized.

Landslides and Your Home

Your home may be strong and the foundation stable, but if a landslide were to occur, your house may be in danger. FOUNDATIONS ON THE LEVEL can help protect your home and repair any damage that may occur from a landslide or mudflow.

Foundation Repair

Any type of movement of the earth around your home can damage the foundation. A settling or sunken foundation can lead to structural damage throughout the house. The landslide can remove support from one side of your home or exert great pressure on another side.

You may notice cracks, bowing walls, and other signs of foundation problems after a slide. Don’t waste any time having it inspected. The stability of your entire home depends on having a strong foundation. Make sure that a reliable foundation contractor examines your property and you follow through with any suggestions that they may make.

Slab Leveling

Not every landslide causes foundation problems, sometimes it may just disturb your concrete slabs. Your driveway, sidewalk, or patio can be pushed out of place or sink.

An uneven slab is not only ugly, but it can be a tripping hazard or not allow water to drain correctly. Water may flow towards your home or cause the soil under the slab to erode, leading to more problems.

FOUNDATIONS ON THE LEVEL can make sure that your slab is level and safe through the application of polyurethane foam. The foam will expand, raising the slab to the desired level and sealing the bottom from any water infiltration. Protect your home and guests from an uneven slab.

Crack Repair

If the earth around your home moves, you may notice cracks in floors, walls, and ceilings. There are two kinds of cracks: structural and settlement cracks. You can look for cracks and monitor if they are growing. If you are at all concerned about a crack, you must contact a reputable foundation contractor like FOUNDATIONS ON THE LEVEL.

One of the problems with cracks is that, if you aren’t knowledgeable about their cause or what they can do, you have no idea if it is something cosmetic or a sign of future foundation collapse. However, even if a crack isn’t a structural issue, it can allow water and pests to enter your home. You must have the cracks taken care of.

Retaining Wall Repair

Your retaining wall has one job: to keep the earth on the other side of the wall in place. If a landslide occurs, it can cause the retaining wall to lean or bow, or in a worst-case scenario, to even fail.

FOUNDATIONS ON THE LEVEL can keep your retaining wall strong and stable. Through the use of helical tiebacks, a leaning retaining wall can be pulled back and be stronger than ever.

A retaining wall protects your property, so make sure that you take care of it!

Foundations on the Level and Slides

There is only so much you can do to try and tame Mother Nature, sometimes she will just do what she wants. Let FOUNDATIONS ON THE LEVEL help you keep your property safe before or after a landslide.

Benefits of Polyurethane Injection in Southern California

Polyurethane injection is a method used to fix concrete issues like slab settlement and crack formation. When used for slab leveling, the process begins with small holes being drilled in the concrete slab. The polyurethane material is then injected under the concrete through these holes. The polyurethane then expands, lifting the sinking slab and filling in spaces in the ground beneath to stabilize the concrete.

Why Invest in Polyurethane Injection to Level Your Southern CA Slab

We offer polyurethane injection to lift and stabilize concrete slabs throughout Southern California. Some of the advantages you can expect with this solution for slab lifting include:

Quick Solution: Polyurethane injection is a relatively simple process for our trained professionals. We can complete the injection quickly and the material requires very little setting time, letting you return to normal use of the slab almost immediately.

Cost-Effective: Because this solution does not require any new concrete and does not require us to remove the old slab, it is typically a lot less expensive than some other traditional methods of concrete slab repair. Polyurethane injection is a more cost-effective solution for slabs in Southern California.

Highly Durable: The polyurethane we use, from Accella Polyurethane Systems, is durable and able to withstand a variety of conditions. Our polyurethane slab injection is a permanent solution that will help in preventing any future sinking or cracks

Powerful Results: This low-density foam will lift your slab and keep it level and stabilized for years to come. It offers high compressive strength and stability and lifts the slab quickly so that we can provide the right amount of lift for your situation.

Contact our expert team at FOUNDATIONS ON THE LEVEL right away to examine your slab and get you a free quote on concrete slab leveling. We serve customers throughout the Southern California area.

When You Need Slab Leveling in Orange County

In Orange County, California, many of the structures have concrete slabs underneath them since slab foundations are the norm in the state. Because of the large number of businesses, workshops, stores, restaurants with patios, etc., this increases the number of concrete slabs in the area.

Have you noticed your concrete slabs sinking recently? If you think that your concrete slabs – home foundations, garage or workshop floors, driveways, sidewalks, patios – need concrete slab leveling services for your Orange County property, look for the following symptoms:

when you may need slab leveling i orange county, ca graphic

Cracks and separation: If the slab has large cracks or gaps in the seam in it and they are pulling apart, it may need slab leveling.
Visible movement or settlement: Any signs that the slab has started to sink or settle unevenly mean it probably needs to be lifted.
Warping, lifting, or sagging floors: If you have a slab foundation, warping or sagging floors could be a sign of foundation movement.
Cracks around windows and doors: Cracks in your home, especially around windows or doors, may indicate slab settlement. Misaligned windows or doors might also be a sign of settlement.
Porches or structures pulling away from slabs: If the home, garage, or another nearby structure is pulling away from a slab, it may mean you need polyurethane slab repair services.
Heaving or sinking slab sections: Slab corners often sink when underground voids form, meaning they need slab leveling.
Tripping hazards: Has anyone tripped due to uneven slabs? That is a sign that the slab has settled and needs to be leveled.

If you see any of these issues in your concrete slab, you may require slab leveling services. We offer polyurethane injections to lift and level slabs. In this process, small holes are drilled into the slab and then a polyurethane grout is injected under the slab to fill underground voids and lift the concrete.

Where Slab Leveling Can Be Used in Orange County, CA

We can use this process to fix all different kinds of slabs, including:

Porches and Patios
Warehouse, Shop, Garage Floors
Sidewalks
Driveways
Concrete Pool Decks
House Foundations
Commercial Foundations

If you notice problems like those listed above in any of these kinds of slabs, call FOUNDATIONS ON THE LEVEL right away.