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Piering Under Blog

Exterior Foundation Waterproofing Membranes: A Time-Tested Moisture Prevention Strategy

 
 

Exterior Foundation Waterproofing Membranes

Learn how exterior foundation waterproofing membranes help with moisture prevention.

Understanding Moisture Barriers

Moisture barriers are precisely what they sound like – they impede or prevent moisture from moving from one area to another. Utilized extensively in construction, moisture barriers come in several forms:

  • Moisture Barrier Film
  • Moisture Barrier Plastic
  • Concrete Moisture Barrier

The primary purpose of these barriers is to prevent groundwater from seeping under a building’s foundation, thereby ensuring the structural integrity of the construction.

Distinguishing Between Foundation Waterproofing Membranes as Moisture Barriers and Concrete Vapor Barriers

It’s essential to differentiate between foundation waterproofing membrane moisture barriers and concrete vapor barriers, as they serve different purposes.

The Role and Installation of Concrete Vapor Barriers

Moisture present in the foundation can damage… Continue reading

Hot Dry Summers and Foundation Watering


 
Foundation watering helps control uneven water or dry ground around a foundation. Keeping the water levels even helps keep the foundation even.

Expansive soils act like a sponge, absorbing water and swelling or losing water and contracting. Just like a sponge, one spot expands with a drop of water leaving the rest of the sponge dry. Clay soil works the same way, expanding with winter and spring moisture while contracting or shrinking during hot, dry summers. As moisture in the soil under the home shrinks and swells with the seasons, so do the house and foundation, moving up and down.

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Know the fundamentals and advantages of Soil Injection Foundation Repair

Chemical Soil Injection Foundation RepairFoundation repair covers many systems, one of which is soil injection foundation repair. Consider this alternative which can be more cost-effective. It is both a landscape friendly and an environmentally safe process.

Non-toxic, water-soluble chemicals used include potassium ions and ammonium salts. To be on the safe side, ask your contractor what kinds of chemicals they are using. Check to see how environmentally friendly they are.

 

WHEN TO USE SOIL INJECTION FOUNDATION REPAIR

Foundation problems begin when soils under foundations shift. They either swell up with water or shrink as they lose water content. Soil injection foundation repair (chemical injection) addresses these changes. It helps reduce or end how much the soil shrinks and swells from water changes.

 

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How to Save Money with the Best Foundation Maintenance Tips

Foundation Maintenance Tips

Easily install simple, inexpensive foundation maintenance tips. Start with a foundation watering programs. This helps maintain even moisture around the foundation. Next check your landscaping and note where tree and shrubbery roots grow close to the home. Installing root barriers helps keep destructive roots at bay. Third on the list is drainage. Check how moisture collects around your foundation. You may need extra drainage solutions.

 

Understanding What Causes Foundation Cracks

Hot dry Summer months bring cause the highest amount of slab foundation movement. Movement causes foundation cracks. It also causes interior damage such as cracks to walls, brick or tiling. Foundation movement also affects plumbing. Stressed pipes eventually spring leaks. You’ll find doors and windows begin to stick or do not close. Our foundation… Continue reading

Foundation Landscaping 7 Tips

Foundation WateringWhen it comes to foundation landscaping, why not kill two birds with one stone. By taking care of properly installed foundation landscaping, homeowners also reduce the likelihood of future foundation problems. It’s a win/win all the way around.

Foundation Landscaping Guidelines

When designing foundation landscaping, keep the following guidelines in mind:

  1. Slope foundation gardens away from the house to prevent standing water – at least 1 inch per foot or more if possible. It is recommended to have a 10-inch drop for the 1st 10 feet around the home sloping away from the foundation.
  2. Mulch foundation garden beds. This helps to keep moisture in the soils during hot dry periods. This also helps hold moisture in the soils under foundations.
  3. Provide drainage points in landscape… Continue reading

Best Foundation Plants for Zone 8

Best Foundation Plants for Zone 8

North Texas gardeners discover foundation plants for Zone 8. Enjoy vibrant gardens that withstand drought while helping with foundation maintenance. Understand how foundation maintenance goes hand in hand with North Texas foundation landscaping. Plan landscaping designs that help your foundation.

 

Foundation Maintenance & Why it Matters

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Tunneling Under a House vs Cutting Concrete Slabs 7 Myths Dispelled

Know the facts before deciding on tunneling under a house vs cutting concrete slabs

Homeowners have choices when making decisions for under slab plumbing leak or foundation repairs. Is it better to tunnel under a house or is cutting through the concrete slab the best way to go?

How-to websites and blogs are full of questions on whether to tunnel under a house or cut slabs for plumbing and foundation repairs. Some are tunnel only advocates while others push the slab cutting alternative. There is no one size fits on regarding tunneling under a house or cutting through concrete slabs. Each repair situation is different and needs to be evaluated on its own.

Before committing to one method over another, understand the difference between fact and fiction regarding the two different methods.

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