Foundation Repair Guidelines For Homeowners - Repair Proposals

In my previous segment of foundation Repair Guidelines for Homeowners, I covered information gathering and its analysis. From the initial site survey to the elevation survey and visual assessment we gathered information about the current state of the foundation compared to the original state of your foundation. Now this analysis will take us toward our final goal of solving your foundation failure.

Prior to recommending foundation underpinning, the following criteria are recommended to determine the type of pile, spacing of the piling system, and additional repairs required for foundation restoration:

The total load carried by the foundation and transferred to the soil should be calculated to determine the recommended pile type and pile layout. The load calculation is formulated by combining the dead load of the building materials, live load factors, temporary (soil overburden) and permanent soil pressures.

The geometric configuration of the foundation failure, the location and pattern of the foundation cracks as indicated on the site plan are analyzed additionally to determine the pile layout.

Once the investigation and analysis have been completed a proposal for remedial actions and repairs should be presented to you. Unfortunately for homeowners requiring foundation underpinning currently there is the absence of a widely accepted method for determining the locations and layout of steel resistance piers among installation contractors. However if the site has been evaluated correctly pile layout and the type of pile recommended can be easily determined through calculations and evaluations. These calculations should be presented and explained to the property owner. An experienced project estimator should be capable of providing information regarding the mechanical steel rating of the underpinning piles, as well as the structural loads the proposed pile system will support.

Companies who specialize directly in foundation repair should provide the property owner with site plans detailing the proposed scope of work and the specific areas where the foundation repair (pile installation) will take place. An experienced project estimator should then review the project, scope of work, and specifications with the property owner and provide information regarding the mechanical steel rating of the underpinning piles, as well as the structural loads your home will be imposing upon the proposed pile system.

As the homeowner it is important to make sure that the site plan and specifications presented include the full scope of work, and a description of the installation procedures necessary for the proposed repairs. The site plan should include the layout of the piles and the working loads that each pile will be capable of maintaining. It is a good practice

to insist that the site plan has been reviewed by a licensed professional engineer, and that prior to the commencement of the project, a copy of the engineered drawings signed and stamped by a professional engineer are given to you.

Most companies who offer foundation repair will provide the homeowner with a warranty for repairs completed. While warranties and guarantees offer you piece of mind, it is of critical importance that the warranty be understood in its entirety. Always make sure that your foundation repair contractor presents, in writing, the plan of action in the event that settlement reoccurs. Upon completion of the project, professional contractors, who specialize in foundation repair, will provide as built drawings, pile installation logs, and an elevation survey to provide an objective record as a basis of comparison in the event the next homeowner has concerns about the stability of their home.

Unfortunately not every foundation repair contractor will go through this whole process. They are more concerned with getting to the next project than they are with the long term stability of your home. You are the boss of this project and you should only expect the best of the people you hire to protect your home. You should request a foundation repair expert to come out and evaluate your home. Upon the completion of his evaluation you should ask questions based on your intentions and have this article next to you before giving anyone one penny of your hard earned money.

Civil Engineering Technology