House Leveling in Taylor, Texas

House Leveling in Taylor, Texas

When a house is leveled, it is raised as close to its original state as possible (pending construction allowances). Typically, foundation repair is required to level a house. Especially if the house sinks at one end or multiple spots, sinking homes pose structural problems. The problem can usually be corrected with house leveling, but to prevent it from recurring, the cause of the problem should be addressed as well.

Sinking homes, sagging floors, and structural damage are all caused by a variety of factors, including erosion on the foundation, structural damage, unstable soil conditions, and plumbing leaks under the slab. In order to achieve a more permanent solution, it is important to take care of these issues before house leveling is performed.

Foundation Settling – The Root of Uneven Floors

What is the cause of foundation heaving or settlement? Water and soil are the main culprits. They can combine to cause foundation movement, including settlement, as well as crack walls. Slab foundations, pier and beam foundations, and basement foundations can all move. A house foundation will eventually crack if there is excessive heaving or settlement. Leveling may be necessary.

In addition to leveling the house, problems causing foundation shifts need to be addressed. It is common for clay soils to shift foundations. Clay soil absorbs water, causing it to exert excessive pressure on the foundation, causing it to heave upward. When soil shrinks and dries, it settles downward. It may be due to poor exterior drainage that there is too much water underneath the foundation.

A soaked slab foundation can also be caused by overwatered flowerbeds and plumbing leaks. Furthermore, improperly graded driveways, walks, and patios can cause foundation soil to become oversaturated.

House Leveling – Slab Foundation Homes

Houses with slab foundations can be leveled using a number of methods. These techniques involve excavating from the outside of the home and installing helical piers, bell bottom piers, steel pilings, or concrete pilings, mudjacking, or filling in the gaps under the foundation with a chemical substance.

House Leveling – Crawl Space Foundation Homes

The leveling of homes with crawl space foundations can be accomplished by using several effective methods. Piles are often installed under existing piers to reinforce them, rods and braces are often used to repair damaged support stations and correct sagging floors, or a chemical mixture may be used to stabilize the soil beneath the foundation.

The Impact of Soil Problems

In addition, soil shifts when too much moisture is present. Tree roots can grow beneath a foundation when there is too much moisture. According to estimates, these roots can absorb up to 100 gallons of water a day. The soil shrinks when dry. When the soil shrinks, the foundation settles differently. Different parts of the foundation settle at different rates. When a foundation is affected by differential movement, it may develop cracks that resemble stairs. By leveling a house, the foundation can be restored and future cracks prevented.

If you do not have the machinery and experience necessary to level the house, try not to attempt this yourself. If you want to make sure that your mobile home is properly leveled so that you can continue living in one, then seek out the services of a professional leveler. Call us today at 512-647-2027, for professional leveling and tunneling services.