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Foundation Jacks And How They Are Used

WRITTEN BY:
Blake Heron
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foundation jacks in a crawl space
foundation jacks in a crawl space
Home » Foundation Jacks And How They Are Used

Do you have cracks starting to form on your drywall? Have you noticed that your floors are uneven, and furniture doesn’t always sit firmly on the floor? It’s time to take a look at sagging floors and determine what the problem is.

It is important to the appearance and safety of your home to ensure that sufficient floor joists are in place and you do not need further structural support for your home. If you have cracks and a sinking foundation, this is going to throw off the balance of your home. You might have problems with windows sticking and doors that are tight. When you ignore foundation problems, the issues only get worse.

At BAY Crawl Space & Foundation Repair, we are ready to handle any of your foundation repair needs. Homeowners in Hampton Roads, Virginia, and the surrounding service area trust BAY Crawl Space for all of their crawl space encapsulation, structural problems, and uneven floors.  Do not let your home go with cracked stairs or uneven floors.

For professional help with foundation jacks in the greater Hampton Roads, VA / NC region, learn more about BAY Crawl Space at our Home Page, About Us Page, or Request A Quote Page.

How Do I Stop My House From Sinking?

There are a number of reasons why your home is no longer in its original position and is starting to sink. It is important to figure out why your house is sinking so that you can come up with a solution to the problem. The age of your home, moisture from heavy rains, and issues with the soil surrounding your foundation can all make your foundation settle.

There are times when the soil is no longer able to manage the weight of your foundation, and this will lead to your foundation sinking. Changes to the soil can occur when tree roots decompose, or too much water gets into the soil, and there is erosion. The changes to your soil occur slowly, and these changes can lead to your home sinking bit by bit over the years.

If you notice problems with windows that get stuck, cracks in the walls, or doors that are difficult to open, you will need to get help for the foundation of your home. In order to stop your house from sinking, you should have a professional assess and manage the problem for you. Uneven floors and problems with your foundation will only get worse over time. The only way to stop your home from sinking is to hire the professional help you need to deal with the problem. It takes skill and specialized equipment to prop your home up in order to make foundation repairs.

What is a Foundation Jack?

A foundation jack has a load capacity and provides structural support when it is installed as a crawl space support system. A foundation jack is designed to manage foundation problems when you have an issue with the home sinking. A hydraulic jack or SmartJack is used to boost up your foundation and return your home to its original position. Technicians use foundation jacks to support the heavy weight of your home when your foundation is no longer able to provide this support.

Foundation Jacks can be used temporarily, to lift weight off of your foundation during the repair process. We also install foundation jacks permanently. There are times when the foundation is so old that it is impossible to repair the foundation completely. When jacks are used as a permanent solution, this will still mean your home is safe, and will no longer be sinking. Jacks hold a significant amount of weight but must be installed by a professional in order to work effectively to lift your home up as needed.

Even if you have some skills in carpentry or a similar profession, understand that it is dangerous to try and lift your home’s foundation without professional help. If your home is sinking, you don’t want to make the problems worse by trying to do the work on your own. It takes experience, skill, and training to lift a house properly in order to make repairs. When it is done incorrectly, this can lead to significant damage to your home. It is vital to the safety of your home to work with professionals such as BAY Crawl Space & Foundation Repair to repair your foundation for you when it involves using jacks to lift weight off of the foundation.

Crawl Space Foundation Jacks in Crawl Space Encapsulation

When Do You Need a Foundation Jack?

You will want to have your home inspected when you notice sagging floors, problems with tight windows or doors, or uneven floors. You might see cracks in your foundation, cracks in your walls, or notice that you need crawl space repair.

If you have clear problems with your foundation that need to be addressed, we will figure out a solution right away. We may use crawl space jacks or adjustable jack posts in order to prepare your home for any foundation repair that you need. Keep your home safe when you work with the professionals at BAY Crawl Space to handle your sinking home. We are able to uncover the issues causing your home to sink and provide real solutions to get your home back into its original position.

Are Floor Jacks Permanent? 

If you are wondering if floor jacks are permanent, the answer depends on how the homeowner uses them within the home. A support jack or floor jack is not permanent when it is used to make repairs to a damaged foundation. Once we repair the foundation, we remove the support jack. If your foundation needs permanent support, we can install permanent floor jacks to mitigate issues with your foundation.

We may also use steel floor jacks to permanently support your home, and keep it in place. If you have sagging floors, steel floor jacks are a common way foundation repair professionals solve this problem.

What is the Difference Between Jacks for Foundation Repairs?

Hydraulic floor jacks, aka bottle jacks, are portable and easy to reposition as needed. They include a hydraulic cylinder, and this makes lifting floors possible. Hydraulic floor jacks can be hard to manage. When bottle jacks are used for foundation repair, they are able to lift a large amount of weight and lift higher than is usually needed. Bottle jacks are easier to store, and are less expensive than floor jacks. Bottle jacks have a narrow frame, which makes them less stable than floor jacks. Hydraulic jacks are used for temporary support to make a repair, while bottle jacks are commonly used when a permanent solution is needed.

Screw jacks are another way to level off a sagging floor. You will want to know what type of work jack your home needs in order to be prepared for how long the work might take. If your home requires significant repair, it can take some time to assess and fix the situation. If your home is off the foundation, or it is severely cracked, the home must be lifted off of the foundation before a technician can make some repairs.

How Long Does It Take To Install a Foundation Jack?

The time it’ll take to install foundation jacks depends on several factors. These include the size of your home, the extent of the damage to the foundation, and the number of house jacks needed.

Typically, installation can take from one to three days. Depending on the solution, it may take the same or a similar amount of time to remove them from your home. After consultation, we can give a precise estimate of the amount of time a foundation jack project may take.

Why DIY Methods of Stabilization Don’t Work

DIY methods of foundation jacking may appear alluring to homeowners. But the dangers of attempting to stabilize your home can’t be stressed enough. Here are some common methods of stabilization that don’t work compared to consulting a professional.

Concrete Columns

You may consider using concrete columns to support your home’s foundation. Concrete columns are made using concrete blocks and combined with shims or wooden spacers. In addition to being ineffective, it’s a time-consuming process that results in an imperfect fit and may require shimming.

Shimming

“Shimming” is another DIY method for stabilization used when concrete columns have sunk into the settlement. Temporary jacks are used to lift the girder, and wooden shims are inserted between the space of the existing column and floor girder. However, this method is still ineffective – eventually, the concrete will sink further and require additional shimming.

Light-Duty Jack Posts

It’s possible that you might have noticed thin, lightweight jack posts at your local hardware store. Although portable and user-friendly, the downside to using these is that they can’t support the massive weight of a home nor address weak soil. While coming close to the preferred solution, it still falls short as an alternative.

Will The Foundation Stop Sinking on It’s Own?

Unfortunately, your home will almost certainly continue to shift and sink if it’s not stabilized.

Don’t ignore problems with a sinking foundation, cracked walls, and windows that keep getting stuck. When you ignore issues with a sinking home, the result is a home that deteriorates and jeopardizes your family’s home. It’s time to see how BAY Crawl Space can provide real solutions to your cracked foundation, soil erosion, and home movement by calling 757-460-0444 or completing the online contact form.

When you have issues with a home that is sinking, BAY Crawl Space has the answers for Virginia & NC homeowners. We are Virginia’s #1 rated foundation experts because we take the time not only to fix your foundation problems but also to educate you on ways to maintain repairs and extend the longevity of your Virginia home. All it takes to repair your sinking foundation is a phone call.

How Can BAY Crawl Space Help?

When you are in need of floor jack installation, or you need foundation repairs on your home because it is sinking, it’s time to reach out to BAY Crawl Space. We provide crawl space encapsulation, floor support, crawl space jacks, waterproofing, foundation stabilizers, and more for homeowners throughout Hampton Roads and Northeastern North Carolina.

There are a number of reasons your foundation may be sinking. We inspect your home, looking for poor water drainage, issues with tree root decomposition, areas of erosion, and more. We take the time to fully investigate and diagnose the possible cause in order to organize a solution to your foundation repair needs.

We have the experience you want when it comes to stabilizing your foundation. Our technicians are highly trained and know how to protect the structure of your home throughout the process. We will assess the issue, come up with a plan, and come to a resolution for your home.

#1 Rated Locally for Crawl Space Repair, Foundation Repair, & Foundation Jacks.

Our reviews show our commitment to taking great care of our customers over the years.  We pride ourselves on giving great customer experiences & delivering excellent value. Our experience & efficiency allow us to do more for less.