How Steel Underpinning Works to Correct Foundation Problems

Last updated 1 year ago

Residential foundations throughout the Nashville area are highly susceptible to settling due to our land’s expansive geology. In fact, your own home may be suffering from foundation issues as we speak! While there are many different methods available to repair foundation settling, installing steel underpinnings is perhaps the most popular and commonly used method. Here’s a look at how steel underpinnings work to keep your residential foundation from settling and sinking.

Steel underpinning foundation repair methods are typically used on slab foundations, which have concrete footings that are designed to keep the house from sinking. However, expansive soils or high soil moisture content can cause slab foundations to bend, sink, or tilt into the ground. To prevent this from happening, steel underpinnings are installed to essentially lift the affect portion of the foundation upwards, correcting the foundation damage and preventing further settling.

Here’s how steel underpinning works. First, your foundation is excavated until its footings are easily accessible. Then, your foundation repair technicians will attach high strength metal brackets to your footings. Super strong steel piers are then driven through the bracket hundreds of feet into the ground until they reach load-bearing strata, also known as the point of refusal. At this point, soil conditions will not affect the stability of your home, making it a good spot to root your foundation. Finally, the bracket and pier are connected together, and your foundation is as good as new.

Steel underpinning is an effective means for repairing slab foundations and requires fairly minimal disturbance of your property. In a few days, your foundation will be restored to its original strength and capacity, and you won’t have to worry about settling in that area again.

To learn more about foundation repair methods used in residential applications, contact United Structural Systems at (615) 800-2058. We’re the Nashville area’s leading foundation repair, cracked brick repair, waterproofing, basement, and crawlspace repair service. repair service.