Foundation problems can be a real nightmare. They're often expensive to repair and the process can disrupt your routine. That could cost you a lot of money if you need to shut down your business due to excess noise or safety concerns. Foundation problems are generally caused by soil shifting under your building. In some cases, the solution isn't as complicated as you might think. Slab jacking could be the answer. It's a process where the slab is raised back into place when it sinks due to soil compression. Here's how it works.

When Slab Jacking Is Suitable

There are various degrees of foundation damage. Some cracks are merely cosmetic and can be repaired inexpensively with filler. Other damage affects the walls, which need to be braced to prevent further bowing. However, if your walls are stable, but the foundation has simply dropped in one area, slab jacking could be a suitable treatment. When your foundation drops, you'll usually see big, uneven cracks that form where one section of the slab is lower than another. Cracks like that can't be repaired with filler. The depressed slab needs to be raised back to a level position first, and then the crack can be sealed.

How Slab Jacking Is Done

Slab jacking is not only effective, it is also fairly quick and minimally disruptive. The contractor drills holes into the foundation first. Then a type of concrete slurry is pumped into the holes. The slurry flows under the foundation and slowly raises it back into place. The slurry fills voids and forms a solid base that hardens as it dries. After the slab is raised and the foundation is level once again, the contractor fills the holes and seals the cracks.

Foundation Repair Could Be a Partial Fix

Although slab jacking repairs your foundation, it doesn't address the reason your foundation was damaged. It's important you figure out why the soil under your building shifted. It's possible it was a rare event caused by an unusual drought or excessive rain that impacted the soil. If that's the case, you may not need to take further action. However, if soil expansion and contraction is ongoing, then you'll need to figure out why so you can put a stop to it. It might be something as simple as replacing or repairing gutters. You might need to install an outdoor drainage trench to divert water away from your building. If you don't stop water from disrupting the soil under your foundation, the damage may eventually happen again. For assistance with slab jacking, visit sites like http://www.tluckey.com.