
Repairing Foundation Issues
Some degree of movement is accepted by most owners, and the strategies chosen to limit that movement are a function of the owner’s sensitivity to cosmetic cracks, building use, and cost.
When repairs are performed, the most common method is to add pier supports under the foundation. The greatest movement is typically from seasonal shrink/swell of the clay, and it manifests at the perimeter. Stabilizing the house with added supports along the perimeter is the most cost-effective method of repair. Any pier type will work. A house is so lightly loaded that any of the commercially available systems will support the weight. The primary consideration should be depth. The added piers should be deep enough that they support the house on soil that will not be dried and wetted seasonally.
Engineers typically specify repair piers to be around 15 feet deep when trying to economically extend below the zone of seasonal moisture change. Additional depth may offer added protection against drying by large trees. The number of piers needed to reduce perimeter movement depends on the owner. An owner can choose to add
Finally, an owner should understand that the house still rests on clay soil and can move seasonally in the future. The