Rhino carbon fiber

5 Advantages of the Rhino Carbon Fiber Foundation Repair

Rhino Carbon Fiber Foundation Repair

One of the most common structural problems occurring in newly constructed houses is foundation damage. This problem is also evident in older homes where soil movement is common. Once a house begins settling, issues such as bulging and bowing walls will appear.

While there are many approaches to foundation repair, the innovative Rhino carbon fiber technology has proven to be the most effective and affordable system for any type of structure.

Risk of Delayed Foundation Repair

As a homeowner, you have to appreciate the important of immediate foundation repair using modern technology to avoid further deterioration. Foundation failure can result from seemingly harmless problems such as a hairline cracks that will enlarge with time due to water pressure.

If wall damage is not immediately repaired, there is a likelihood of other parts of the house including floors, doors, windows ceilings and chimneys suffering further damage.

Rhino Carbon Fiber in Details

The patented Rhino carbon fiber is now popular with foundation contractors for many reasons. This product comprises carbon fiber strips made with a custom bi-directional weave and double stitching pattern. These strips boast tensile strength of 52,000 pounds per square inch, which guarantees your foundation wall will not move anymore once the carbon fiber strip has been fixed.

The carbon fiber strip is fastened to the wall using a sill plate and it is connected to the foundation base for equal distribution of pressure. To appreciate why this carbon fiber system is so effective, consider these factors:

  1. Durability: Unlike other foundation repair solutions such as epoxy injection, there is no deterioration of the carbon fiber strip once it is in place. It does not stretch or suffer from exposure to weather elements.
  2. Less intrusive technology: There is no need to excavate extensively compared to other structural foundation repairs. Minimal intrusiveness translates to faster and more affordable repair.
  3. Lightweight installation: This is a project that can be done by one qualified contractor within a few hours. There are no disruptions on your property when the work is in progress.
  4. Aesthetic appeal: This foundation repair technology will not devalue the aesthetic appeal of your property. You can even paint over the Rhino carbon fiber to ensure the wall is uniform.
  5. Cost-effective: This is now the most affordable foundation repair solution for different forms of foundation damage including cracks and bowing.

A damaged foundation can ruin your precious investment. It is thus important to call in a qualified contractor to inspect the extent of damage before deploying Rhino carbon fiber technology.

foundation leak

3 Signs That You Have a Serious Foundation Leak in Edison NJ

Foundation Leak in Edison NJ

Your home’s foundation is the most important part of its structure. Ensuring your foundation is in good condition will ensure that your home offers a safe environment for your family. Repairing a foundation can be quite costly especially if the damage is extensive. It is, therefore important to regularly inspect your foundation for any signs of a foundation leak.

The following are some obvious signs of a foundation leak you ought to look for:

  1. Musty odor

Is there a musty odor coming from your basement? If so, you may have a foundation leak. A musty odor is indicative of the growth of mold in your basement. Mold can be a problem as its spores can pose health problems to your family.

Mold is not always visible. Mold and mildew tend to grow in dark areas and therefore may grow out of sight. The first sign of their presence is the musty odor. Be sure to investigate for further signs of leaks when you notice a musty smell in your basement.

  1. Damp floors or walls

Moisture on the walls or floors of your basement is a sure sign that you have a foundation leak. Moisture may not always take the form of a standing pool of water on the floor. It may be water stains on walls or floors, condensation on the basement walls or damp spots on your carpet or flooring material. Be sure to check any plumbing running through the basement for leaks before calling a licensed waterproofing contractor to investigate the problem further.

  1. Cracks in the floors or walls

By the time cracks in the floors or walls of your foundation become visible; the problem in the structure of your foundation is serious.  Cracks in the foundation are obvious signs of a structural issue in your foundation.

Avoid applying band aid solutions to cracks in the foundation such as filling cracks. The problem may run deeper than a superficial crack. It’s best to call in a professional waterproofing contractor to inspect the foundation and provide you with the best possible solutions for foundation leak repair.

Your foundation plays a vital role in your home. Considering this, it is important to be aware of the signs of damage. This will ensure that you get the problem fixed early and avoid it escalating; the more serious the problem, the more complex and expensive the repair.

foundation-repair

Little Known Foundation Repair Challenges Associated with Leakages

A leaky foundation is a threat to not only the building structure, but also the property inside. When a home is built, its foundation walls are clean and easily accessible. However, with time the structure may experience problems such as cracking, gaps, and holes. Water begins to take its toll on your home, and if nothing is done to stop it, soon you start counting losses. Leakages in a building are a matter of emergency and should be handled as soon as possible. A foundation repair, if conducted at the right time using effective restoration procedures, can save a homeowner from water damage.

Water seepage shouldn’t be confused with moisture infiltration

There is a difference between water entering the interior of a building and moisture infiltrating a foundation. Some repair procedures are meant to restore problems related with moisture infiltration and not water seepage.

For example, a waterproofing technique helps tackle issues of liquid water entering a basement through cracks, gaps, and holes, but moisture can infiltrate porous cement through pores. The right treatment for moisture infiltration, or migration, is through damp proofing and not waterproofing. These two procedures can offer different remedies in protecting a home. Damp proofing is meant to keep moisture away and may not address the problem of liquid water.

Foundation repair techniques

A number of techniques are applied when repairing foundations. Depending on the nature of the problem, a contractor may decide to use one or more repair techniques. Foundations tend to experience cracking. It is normal for foundations to crack because cement shrinks as it cures.

Shrinkage induces stress on concrete, and that way, cracks form to relieve the stress. This is okay because foundations are designed to handle cracks.

However, if there are external forces such as settlement of the ground acting on foundation walls, it makes cracks widen and grow deeper. Common areas where cracks occur are corners of windows or in the middle of an elongated wall.

Most cracks are vertical and can be corrected using urethane foam technique. In the event that cracks run horizontally, or the wall structure has deflected, cracks may be perceived as structural. In this case, the ergo, epoxy technique is deemed appropriate.

Concisely, before any foundation repair is undertaken, the cause of the problem should be identified. Foundation cracks develop because of shifting ground, improper compaction, too much moisture, and too little moisture. Other cracks may be caused by tree roots growing in close proximity to a building.

Foundation Repair | Trenton, NJ | Select Basement Waterproofing

Are you in Need of Foundation Repair New Jersey?

As a homeowner, maintenance and repair of your home is an expected expense. Your home’s foundation is the most important part of your home. Ensuring that you carry out foundation repair New Jersey in good time will ensure that you avoid serious problems that can result in your using thousands of dollars to fix an even worse situation. It is therefore important to learn how to identify these problems as soon as possible.

Warning signs

Houses are designed to be dynamic. They move and settle over a period of time. This is natural. However, when the settling occurs unevenly, then there is need for concern. It is therefore important to stay alert and keep track of any dramatic changes or early warning signs including:

  • A door in your house begins to ham or the latch fails to fit. This may be a sign that the foundation is shifting.
  • The appearance of cracks on the walls. Cracks on walls when there is a foundation problem cracks usually occur over windows, doorways and where the wall meets the ceiling.
  • The appearance of cracks in your floor tiles or on your concrete floors
  • When windows in your home that used to open or close easily begin sticking or can’t close completely. 

Checking for foundation problems

Foundation repair New Jersey can cost you thousands of dollars if the problems are not identified early enough and are allowed to develop into serious problems. It is therefore important to develop a routine of checking your home for signs of foundation problems.

It is important to retain the services of a professional contractor to carry out maintenance and repair on your foundation at least once a year. However, it is also important to carry out your own personal checks every so often. This will ensure that any problems with your foundation are identified early. 

Here’s how to check foundation problems:

  • Check the perimeter

Carry out a visual check of the outside of your foundation. Walk along the length of the foundation and check the walls from corner to corner. The walls should be straight from side to side as well as from up to down.

If there is any sign of leaning, bulging or curving then the foundation may have shifted. It may be that the soil around your foundation is expanding, contracting or placing some pressure on the walls of your foundation.

  • Check the concrete

If you have a poured concrete foundation, check to see if there is chipping of flaking. You can do this by poking it with a study screwdriver. A good concrete foundation should be very hard. It shouldn’t get damaged when poked by the screwdriver.

If you manage to break of chip at the surface, then the concrete may be deteriorating. It may have been mixed with too much water, salty or dirty sand. Contact a contractor as soon as possible to fix this problem.

  • Check the structure

There are various aspects of the foundation aside from the perimeter wall. If you have a crawl space of basement, be sure to check the concrete supports, posts or piers used to support the home. These should be standing firmly and straight. They should be firmly planted on the concrete piers beneath.

Cracks in foundations

Foundational cracks are the most important sign of a problem with the foundation. It is therefore important to identify what type of crack you’re dealing with.  Different types of cracks include:

  • Hairline cracks indicate minor problems and shouldn’t be a cause for worry
  • Stair step cracks occurring in masonry joints indicate bulging of walls or moisture problems
  • Horizontal cracks are the most serious. They are indicative of serious damage to the foundation. You may need a completely new foundation.
foundation repair in new jersey

Foundation Repair in New Jersey: 4 Key Misconceptions

Foundation Repair in New Jersey

Fixing a broken foundation is a hard concept to understand as it is. Then the world adds myths and misconceptions about foundation repair in New Jersey. Here are a four misconceptions debunked.

Misconception #1: You don’t need foundation repair because concrete cracks.

It is true that concrete cracks. It is not a matter of if but when. The concrete sidewalk or your concrete patio is not as important. However, when it comes to your concrete foundation, when it cracks it needs to be fixed. Cracks in your foundation ultimately weaken the structure and need to be fixed. Even nonstructural cracks can cause problems with water infiltration, mold growth, and pests.

Misconception #2: Small cracks are no big deal.

Even small hairline cracks can cause problems with your foundation. The most common problem with hairline cracks is water. Water doesn’t need a large opening to enter your home. Those small cracks can be letting in water and causing an array of issues including mold and mildew, or letting in bugs, rodents, or soil gases like radon. If you look at it that way, small cracks are a big deal.

Small cracks also can be a sign of future problems. If ignored, small cracks can become big cracks and lead to even bigger foundation issues. Foundation cracks may seems as if they are staying the same but over the years the nonstructural cracks can become structural cracks if the soil outside the foundation changes.

Misconception #3: Foundation Repair doesn’t really fix the problem.

This misconception is referring to a common scenario. A foundation repair contractor will come to assess the basement situation. There will be a problem zone on one side of the foundation. Even though the problem area is only on one side of the foundation, the foundation repair contractor suggests an entire foundation solution. The homeowner will choose to only do one side of the foundation where the problem currently exists. The foundation repair contractor can only do what the homeowner authorizes him to do. They try to educate the homeowner as much as possible about the potential of a return visit to fix the rest of the foundation in the future. The homeowner sometimes misses the big picture and thinks that the work that was done didn’t really fix the problem. But the truth is he chose to only fix one portion of the problem.

If a homeowner hires a reputable and knowledgeable foundation repair contractor and follows his advice to provide the proper solution to repair the foundation, it will work. Contractors guarantee their work. And if you do partial work on the foundation, only the area where the work was done will be on warranty.

Misconception #4: Foundation Repair is too expensive.

While many homeowners think they can’t afford foundation repair work, the truth is they can’t afford not to. If your home needs foundation repair work, and you choose to ignore it, it will get worse before it gets better. If you fix the problems when they are small, it will cost much less. If you wait until the problem is massive and dyer and your home on the verge of collapse, then it will be expensive.

If you ever want to sell your house, you will have a hard time selling with foundation repair issues. You will have to fix them before you sell.

Honestly, the best practice is to inspect your basement and keep it in good health throughout the lifetime of your house. The basement environment impacts the environment of the rest of the house. The foundation is the most important part of the house. If it is not sound, the whole structure of the house is in danger.

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flood in new jersey

Replacing Sheet Rock After a Flood in New Jersey

A Flood in New Jersey Can Cause Problems for Your Home

A basement flood in New Jersey is bad enough in an unfinished basement. However, if you have a finished or partially finished basement with any sheetrock as wall board then you will need to replace the sheetrock.

Flooding can lead to wet sheetrock

Sheetrock absorbs water. If it comes into contact with any amount of water (or even moisture for that matter) you have a problem. Sometimes you will only need to replace part of the sheetrock on a wall. You can cut out the wet portion and replace it with new sheetrock. Sheetrock will not dry out on its own before you will have a problem with mold behind the walls. If you leave wet sheetrock, mold will grow behind the wall because mold is using the material in the sheetrock for food. Add the water and the dark, damp spots behind the wall and a serious mold problem could start to grow in no time.

How to deal with wet sheetrock

If you are trying to save part of the wall, you will need to determine how high the water has traveled up the wall. The longer the sheetrock sits in the standing water, the higher the water problem will be. Typically, water travels up the sheetrock 3-6 inches a day. If it is left for a few days, the water could be halfway up the wall.

One way to check for water damage in sheetrock is to slice the wall with a razor. It will cut easier if the wall is wet. You will notice the blade slide quicker and easier through the wet wall compared to the dry sheetrock. Find where the wall is dry, and cut a straight line there to remove the wet sheetrock.

Like we mentioned above, it is important to remove all wet sheetrock to avoid a potential mold problem. Never leave wet sheetrock after a basement flood in New Jersey or discovered water problem.

Have a professional contractor help fix the problem

A professional basement waterproofing contractor can help you in this process. He can remove the damaged sheetrock after a basement flood in New Jersey and help you install a basement waterproofing system to help avoid any future problems.

The other option is to replace all the sheetrock in the basement with waterproof wallboard. So, if there is another basement flood in New Jersey, you won’t have to replace the walls again. The EPA says basements should be finished with waterproof and water resistant materials. Think tile instead of carpet; plastic waterproof wallboard instead of sheetrock. The basement is inherently wetter and should not be finished like the upstairs even if you have a basement waterproofing system installed.

Contact us for more information about basement waterproofing!

foundation repair

Foundation Repair and House Lifting

Foundation Repair

If your house is sinking, moving, or settling, it can mean serious damage to the foundation and may compromise the whole structural integrity of the building. If the soil around the house is not supporting the footing, you may need to consider a foundation repair work or underpinning. While the layman term is house lifting, the process is actually called underpinning or piering. The pier is also called a piling. There are several different types of piers to stabilize a home’s foundation. However, like waterproofing, there isn’t just one way that will solve the problem. The different underpinning methods all work to solve a foundation problem, but it is just a matter of figuring out which one is right for you.

There are four major systems commonly used for poured wall foundations with basements or crawlspaces:

1. Drilled Piers:

For this system, a deep hole is drilled and set with reinforced steel. Then the contractor fills the hole with concrete and ties the piers to the home or foundation. In a sense these piers work as a new concrete foundation.

2. Push Pier:

The Push Pier (Steel Pipe Piling) method uses the weight of the structure to push the piers into the ground until they hit a load-bearing level of the soil or bedrock. The pier is then capped off and permanently attached to the bottom of the foundation. This method is a simpler method in way of knowing it is successful just by installation. When the weight of the house is insufficient to drive the piers deeper, that’s evident they can support the home. They are typically used for heavier structures but also work well for single story homes.

3. Steel Helical Pier:

Helical piers are typically used to support a structure and not to lift it. Helical piers are turned into the ground like a corkscrew. Each pier has “flights,” or wings, which work to pull the pier into the soil. These flights also keep the pile in place after it is installed. Because helical piers don’t use the weight of the structure like push piers you can use them on very light structures, like a porch.

4. Segmented Concrete Pier:

This method uses precast concrete segments, usually manufactured cylinders, which are installed one by one on top of one another and pressed into the ground by hydraulically jacking against the underside of the existing structure. Like, push piers, the weight of the structure is used to create the reactive force that allows the pile segments to be driven into the soil. 
The segmented piles can be interconnected by steel bar(s), threaded rod, or a cable that runs through the center of each of the concrete segments. Other systems use epoxy or another adhesive to bond the segments together. The differences are determined by the manufacturers of the specific pier.

These four main systems can all be installed outside or inside the basement. If the system and equipment will fit inside the basement, it usually will save a day or two of labor to go through the basement floor instead of installing the system outside. Exterior piering typically means digging an eight- or nine-foot trench.

Contact us if you have any questions about foundation repair or house lifting.

Wet Basement | Middletown, NJ | Select Basement Waterproofing

Signs of Basement Leaks in New Jersey

Basement Leaks in New Jersey

Basement leaks in New Jersey have many common causes. First, water that is on the ground can seep into your foundation and basement floor. Water could also leak into your basement due to issues with your gutters. Your gutters may overflow due to heavy rain, clogs, a sudden thaw, or poor installation. If you do not have enough gutters, water will also leak. Basement leaks in New Jersey are also often caused by disconnected downspouts, poor planning in terms of landscaping, and sprinklers aiming at your home. Finally, basement leaks in New Jersey are also a risk if your pipes have excessive condensation or if your interior walls have water inside them.

Signs of Basement Leaks in New Jersey

To catch basement leaks before they become serious floods, watch for these common signs.

  • Staining: Water stains on your basement floor or walls are a definite indication of a basement leak.
  • Odor: If your basement smells damp or musty, it is likely that there is excessive moisture and a potential leak.
  • Mold: Mold will also appear in a basement that has a leak, and it can come in many colors. If you suspect mold, you should have it tested.
  • Efflorescence: Efflorescence is a condition in which salt deposits are left by water that has evaporated. These may appear on your walls as gray or white ash, and it can sparkle.
  • Spalling: This also refers to salt deposits that are left behind, but spalling occurs when the surface that the salt is on begins to peel away or otherwise come off.

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