Sinking foundations, cracked and buckled walls and uneven floors are problems commonly faced annually by some quarter-million homeowners. Homes and other structures situated on unstable soils settle when their foundations are subjected to extreme moisture variations or lack proper drainage. A shifting foundation may result in structural damage to your home and a loss of your investment.
The CHANCE Helical Pile Foundation System offers a technically superior and cost-effective alternative to other remedial systems. Our system is backed by more than 80 years of structural engineering experience.
The concept is founded on the principal of turning a helical (screw) pile into stable subsoil strata until the torque applied indicates that the necessary load capacity has been achieved. Adjustable brackets are then attached to the base of your foundation walls, connecting the piles to the foundation. The weight of your home is then transferred to the piles. In the process, the foundation, walls and floors are repositioned and retained from further movement.
When you select the CHANCE Helical Pile Foundation System to remedy your foundation problems, an inspector trained and certified by Chance Civil Construction will visit to inspect your home and foundation to determine repair options. The inspector will prepare a plan of repair based on your home’s damage and weight and local soil conditions. The plan of repair will address the size, location and load requirement for each helical pile. The inspector will give you a price quotation and time estimate for the Helical Pile Foundation System installation.
Questions And Answers
1. What are some indications that my home might be settling?
Indications of foundation settling problems include:
- Foundation walls that are buckled or bowed
- Doors or windows that stick or don’t open properly
- Cracks in foundation walls
- Cracks in exterior walls
- Cracks in interior walls or ceilings
- Sunken or buckled interior floors.
2. What causes foundation settlement?
Conditions that contribute to foundation settlement are usually due to:
- Poor soil conditions
- Lack of proper drainage
- Improper construction or fill
3. How is my structure repaired using the Chance Helical Pile Foundation System?
Following the plan of repair, the contractor will excavate down to the footing at each helical pile location. A notch will be chipped out of the footing to accommodate a support bracket. A high-torque hydraulic drive head will screw the helical piles into stable subsoil until the prescribed depth and torque is reached. A steel L-shaped bracket placed on top of each helical pile shaft will connect to the base of the foundation wall. The weight of your structure then will be transferred to the Helical Pile Foundation System by an established procedure of hydraulic jacking and adjustments of the brackets. Finally, all excavation will be backfilled.
