Concrete Sinking: Get working on your sunken floor with concrete lifting
Regardless of how you use your basement; as a storage area or a retreat from the frenzy of everyday life; it remains a key space that usually doesn’t get the consideration it merits until something goes wrong. Often basements are most affected by floods and rodent and bug infestations in your residence. Also, basements are most susceptible to concrete sinking in areas with poor drainage, high water table and or is built on loose soil or rock that’s quickly washed away.
This article will focus on why the concrete in your basement may sink and how concrete lifting can rectify the situation.
Poor drainage precipitates problems
Poor drainage is a leading cause of sinking concrete. After a snow, rains or thawing snow percolating into the ground, water gets into the soil. Water accumulates and starts flowing thereby washing away small rocks and soil. After some time a considerable amount of soil is swept away causing your concrete slab to fall in.
While a small degree of sinking is natural, and even tolerable, it may go too far. When a huge chunk of material under your slabs is eroded, it creates a pocket of air referred to as a void. Naturally, the slab will sink in the direction of the vacuum as it affords the least resistance. If left unattended and left to fall in too far, the slab may break beyond repair. Such a slab will need replacement and therefore the services of a concrete lifting company.
Compaction may cause your concrete to sink
Compaction may pose another problem for the rock or soil beneath the slabs of your basement. Compaction occurs when the weight of slabs and anything else that weighs down on your slab leads to the compacting of rock and oil particles, consequently scaling down of the underlying material resulting to sinking.
Drainage problems and compaction lay open your basement to elements including moisture which results in molding and invites pests.
How to curb concrete sinking in your basement
Perhaps the most effective way to control concrete sinking is ensuring water drains properly from the foundation and other concrete slabs including; your porches and patios, sidewalks and garage.
You can test for the efficiency of your drainage system by waiting for the next heavy rains and observe if your gutters swell with water that’s approximately tantamount to the volume that fell. Alternatively, you can inspect your property after a rainstorm to search for areas that hold stagnant water.
Assuming you find deep puddles of static water, it’s an indication of problematic zones. If you notice the pools are close to rain gutters, shift the gutter outlet to allow it pour into a well-drained area.
A sump pump comes in handy in times of flooding; always have one in your basement. A well-functioning sump pump eliminates water from beneath your slab more efficiently than if it was left to drain on its own, therefore allowing the water very little time to wear your basement.
What next after your concrete sinks?
Upon noticing cracks or falling in of your concrete to undesirable levels, we recommend that you call on a concrete lifting contractor. Assess a few of contractors in your locality to find the best fit depending on your needs and budget. It’s normal to see many firms claiming to offer top-notch concrete lifting services, but until you do a thorough background check on the companies, we advise that you take your time before engaging anyone.
The best concrete slab lifting companies offer lasting solutions to level up concrete and curtail future drainage problems and compaction.
