Structures tend to sink due to weak or expanding soils. Many times the soil is weakened as a result of lack of compaction during the construction process. Case in point, a home builder digs a hole for a basement and footings and overdigs it by about 6′ around the perimeter. Once the concrete footings and foundation wall are poured, they backfill the loose soil into the hole and drive over it with their skid steer or excavator and think “that’s good”.  Then they pour sidewalks, driveways and patios up against the area they just backfilled. Well, give it 1-3 years and we will get a call from the homewoner in this exact situation complaining that their concrete has sunk 3″ all around their house. Hmmm, could that be because the 6′ hole around their house was never actually compacted sufficiently to begin with? 

So, that’s the problem, but what’s the solution? Some how that loose, “weak” soil needs to become strong enought to suppor the weight of the concrete above it. 

This is were we can help. We provide a service called Soil Stabilization where we drive steel rods 4′-8′ deep in the ground and pump polyurethane foam or grout into that weak soil. As the foam expands 20-30 times it’s original volumne it begins to compact the soil and provide needed strength to support the concrete above (front steps, patios, walkway, driveways). The foam has about 7,200 psf of compressive strength which is normally way more strength than it needs.

Once this soil has been strengthened, we can lift the concrete that has settled and know that it will be supported by the newly strengthened soil underneath it.

If you have any areas that need soil stabilization we will be glad to come take a look and provide our expert advice.