Foundation Repair Experts in Minot, ND

Foundation issues are a growing challenge for many Minot, ND, homeowners. Many customers may not know what the signs of a bad foundation are, or their repair options. Keep reading this blog to see what is causing your foundation issues and why American Waterworks is the best North Dakota foundation repair company.

Why Does Minot, ND, Have Foundation Issues?

You may wonder what causes foundation failure. Typically, homes with foundation issues are built on unstable soil. Foundation settlement is the movement of your home when the soil below shrinks, settles, or can no longer support the weight of the structure. There are several types of changes in soil:

·      Drying & Shrinking

·      Saturation & Softening

·      Compacting & Swelling

All these affect the stability, strength, and overall conditions of the foundation. Furthermore, buckling and bowing are types of wall damage caused by expansive soils. Expansive soils are clay-rich soils that absorb moisture; when they do, their volumes increase dramatically. This increase in volume creates pressure, amounting to thousands of pounds, on your home's foundation, which may lead to walls bending (bowing) or bulging out (buckling). These issues will not resolve on their own, so the sooner you repair, the better it will be in the long run. 

What Types of Homes Does it Affect?

If your home is brand new or built over 100 years ago, both are still at risk of experiencing significant issues. If you have an older home, you may see that the issues are more noticeable and severe. You may think that if you have a newer home, you won't experience structural issues. These issues may not be noticeable, but you will find: cracking, bowing, and separation. Studies show 15% of new homes also experience structural problems. This is due to poor construction, and if it is built on poorly compacted soil. With the constant wet and dry periods, it is more likely that your home will experience structural damage consistently. Finally, these can occur in houses of any size, style, and age. 

Replacing vs Repairing

Many go back and forth with the decision to repair or replace their foundation, but repairing is the best option for your home. Total foundation replacement is very disruptive and expensive. Additionally, it doesn't solve the source of the issue, the soil that holds the foundation. If you build a replacement on the same damaged soil, expect the same results, as the origin of the issue was not resolved. By repairing the foundation, it considers the problematic soil and site conditions, so the same issues do not recur. 

How American Waterworks Can Help

If you are looking into bowing wall repair, foundation buckling, or sinking foundation repair near you, look no further than American Waterworks! We offer several products that will repair and secure your struggling foundation.

Pier System

There are two pier systems designed to permanently stabilize and potentially lift settling foundations. 

Helical Piers are mechanically screwed into the soil to reach stable depths. Steel foundation brackets connect the pier to the footing, transferring the home's weight from unstable soil to the piers for long-term support.

Push Piers stabilize foundations by driving steel tube sections through foundation brackets using hydraulic pressure until they reach load-bearing soil. Once secured, the home's weight is transferred from unstable soil to the piers and into stable ground. 

GeoLock Wall Anchors

For interior wall issues, GeoLock Wall Anchors permanently stabilize foundation walls and can straighten them over time. Anchors are placed in stable soil outside the home and connected to steel wall plates with galvanized rods. Tightening the system holds walls securely and allows gradual realignment.

PowerBraces

PowerBraces stabilize bowing or tilting basement walls without disturbing exterior soil. Steel I-beams secure the wall in its current position and can be tightened over time to help straighten the wall. 

Carbon Armor

For minor cracks or early-stage wall damage, Carbon Armor permanently stabilizes walls using fiber-reinforced polymers that are stronger than steel and flexible enough to conform to the texture. This system immediately stabilizes walls and prevents further movement. 

No matter if you're experiencing issues with cracked walls or settling homes, American Waterworks offers solutions that will give you total peace of mind that your foundation is secure. Get started today by signing up for your FREE estimate with one of our professionally trained Design Specialists!