Steel Pier Foundation Repair & House Leveling

Foundation Repair - Disadvantages Spread Footers

Spread Footers are another common method of foundation repair which many foundation repair companies employ. Much like Drilled Bell concrete piers, though, Spread Footers are better suited for new foundation construction, and are typically better suited for areas with stable soil. A simple google search for spread footing foundation yields a variety of topics related to new construction, bridge construction, and commercial construction.

The Wikipedia definition of Spread Footers is:

Spread footing foundations consists of strips or pads of concrete (or other materials) which transfer the loads from walls and columns to the soil or bedrock. Embedment of spread footings is controlled by several factors, including development of lateral capacity, penetration of soft near-surface layers, and penetration through near-surface layers likely to change volume due to frost heave or shrink-swell. (wikipedia:Shallow Foundation)

Spread Footers are designed to act as extra support for a foundation and to distribute the load of the foundation equally among stable soil. However, in order to work properly they involve extensive geo-technical and/or structural engineering design to account for a multitude of variables. Most foundation repair contractors will not have the technical know how to properly design Spread Footers.

Major disadvantages related to installing post-construction Spread Footers include:

1. Spread footers being installed too shallow, oftentimes just 2-3 feet below a foundation, which does not eliminate the effects of expansive soils.
2. Because they are resting on expansive soils, they will need to be adjusted annually, while cracks and cosmetic damage will continue to form in the house, of which, the costs of repair will be the responsibility of the homeowner.
3. Many contractors will use inadequate concrete for repair which is not designed to support the weight of the structure.
4. Foundation Repair will last longer than a week as the excavations are made and the concrete will have to cure before the holes can be refilled.

Most engineers recommend Steel Piers for foundation repair because they offer the greatest support. By specializing in steel piers anchored to bedrock, Superior Foundation Repair understands the effects of expansive soils found in Central Texas and the best way to counteract them, while securely stabilizing a home. If you have had an engineer evaluate your foundation contact us for a free estimate on the cost of foundation repair for your home.