House Leveling in Copperas Cove, Texas
The level of a house (within the limits of construction) should be as close as possible to its original condition. Houses can be leveled by repairing their foundations. When a home sinks, it has structural problems. This is especially true if it sinks at multiple locations or at one end. While house leveling usually resolves this issue, the source of the problem needs to be addressed as well to prevent recurrence.
Sagging floors and sinking homes can be caused by various factors, such as foundation erosion, structural damage, unstable soil conditions, and underslab plumbing leaks. In order to ensure a more permanent solution, these issues need to be addressed prior to house leveling.
Foundation Settling – The Root of Uneven Floors
Why does heaving or settlement of foundations occur? Groundwater and soil are mainly responsible. Together, these two factors can create a force that cracks walls and causes foundation movement, including settlement. The foundation can move in slab foundations, pier and beam foundations, as well as full basements. A house’s foundation can shift and crack if it settles excessively. Leveling may be the answer.
In addition to leveling the house, it is also necessary to address the problems causing the foundation shifts. Most foundation shifts are caused by clay soil. The foundation is raised as it absorbs water from the clay soil. They move downward as the soil dries out, shrinks, and settles. Inadequate exterior drainage is often to blame for excess water under the foundation.
Similarly, excessive flowerbed watering or plumbing leaks can cause water to seep under slab foundations, causing soil saturation. Oversaturating the foundation soil can also be caused by improperly graded driveways, walks, and patios.
House Leveling – Slab Foundation Homes
Many successful methods can be used to level homes with slab foundations. The home must be excavated and helical pilings, bell bottom pilings, steel pilings, concrete pilings, mudjacking, and filling in the cracks underneath the foundation with a chemical substance must be installed.
House Leveling – Crawl Space Foundation Homes
The leveling of a crawl space foundation can be accomplished in a few ways. Pilings can be installed underneath existing piers to improve stability, rods can be used to reinforce damaged support stations and correct sagging floors, and a chemical mixture can be used to stabilize the soil under the foundation.
The Impact of Soil Problems
When the soil is too dry, it also shifts. Roots from large trees may extend under the foundation. Up to 100 gallons of water can be absorbed by these roots each day. When soil loses moisture, it shrinks. Differential settlement is a result of a shrinking foundation. Differential movement occurs when one part of a foundation moves but another does not. A foundation crack in the shape of a stair can be caused by differential movement. Leveling the foundation will prevent future cracks.
If you do not have the machinery and experience necessary to level the house, try not to attempt this yourself. If you want to make sure that your mobile home is properly leveled so that you can continue living in one, then seek out the services of a professional leveler. Call us today at 254-236-9955, for professional leveling and tunneling services.