Advance planning is important for the success of any construction project, of course. Still, many are faced with the need for remedial action after a building is finished. Structures depend on the foundation they rest on for stability, but the foundation itself must be on solid ground or designed for less than perfect conditions. We know buildings can be constructed to withstand earthquakes, but did you realize your own home might be showing signs of less dramatic shifting of the earth? Soil stabilization deals with pre-construction concerns and problems underneath standing structures.
Most of us go through life never thinking about the ground beneath our feet - and our homes - because it feel so solid. However, the ground is constantly changing as it absorbs moisture or loses it in times of dry weather. Our homes may show the effects of this by developing cracks in the foundation or the basement walls, or by subsiding on one corner as the foundation sinks.
All soils contain minerals as well as decomposed organic material. Some minerals absorb more water than others. When moisture in the ground decreases, these minerals shrink again. It is this continual swelling and shrinking that causes stress on building foundations and the structures they support. Cracks in basement walls are signs that the process is going on to a greater extent than construction materials can withstand.
Clay soils are noted for their tendency to swell when wet; this is evident to all who have seen their garden surfaces harden and crack when wet clay dries out. Scientists know which minerals in the clay absorb moisture readily and can judge the potential for disaster by an analysis. It is especially important to get an expert opinion on soil composition before construction starts when the project is huge, like a Las Vegas NV resort or a mega mansion.
If the analysis reveals clay that is prone to swelling when wet and shrinking when dry, the ground should be stabilized. There are many ways to do this, including incorporating lime into the ground or sinking pier foundation deep into underlying bedrock to keep structures from shifting when the ground changes. The existing earth can also be evacuated and replaced by more stable material. The results of lime incorporation are not always permanent, and pier foundations or excavation are costly and time consuming. There are also environmental concerns.
New scientific technology addresses the problem of instability at the molecular level. Using environmentally-friendly chemicals, the actual composition of the ground is altered, leaving it stronger, more solid, and thus more stable. This is a fast and permanent solution to a very common problem. It also makes it possible to use a slab foundation, known to be the most affordable way to build.
This new method is also used to afford a permanent fix for the ground under structures already standing. When a property owner notices that his building is showing signs of stress - cracking or subsiding - time is of the essence. Other methods of stabilization of the ground may not be feasible, but this scientific approach is.
Find a company Las Vegas way that offers free site inspections and estimates. Prevent costly damage in future or take immediate steps to prevent further problems down the road. After all, even in the desert it's bound to rain sometime.
Most of us go through life never thinking about the ground beneath our feet - and our homes - because it feel so solid. However, the ground is constantly changing as it absorbs moisture or loses it in times of dry weather. Our homes may show the effects of this by developing cracks in the foundation or the basement walls, or by subsiding on one corner as the foundation sinks.
All soils contain minerals as well as decomposed organic material. Some minerals absorb more water than others. When moisture in the ground decreases, these minerals shrink again. It is this continual swelling and shrinking that causes stress on building foundations and the structures they support. Cracks in basement walls are signs that the process is going on to a greater extent than construction materials can withstand.
Clay soils are noted for their tendency to swell when wet; this is evident to all who have seen their garden surfaces harden and crack when wet clay dries out. Scientists know which minerals in the clay absorb moisture readily and can judge the potential for disaster by an analysis. It is especially important to get an expert opinion on soil composition before construction starts when the project is huge, like a Las Vegas NV resort or a mega mansion.
If the analysis reveals clay that is prone to swelling when wet and shrinking when dry, the ground should be stabilized. There are many ways to do this, including incorporating lime into the ground or sinking pier foundation deep into underlying bedrock to keep structures from shifting when the ground changes. The existing earth can also be evacuated and replaced by more stable material. The results of lime incorporation are not always permanent, and pier foundations or excavation are costly and time consuming. There are also environmental concerns.
New scientific technology addresses the problem of instability at the molecular level. Using environmentally-friendly chemicals, the actual composition of the ground is altered, leaving it stronger, more solid, and thus more stable. This is a fast and permanent solution to a very common problem. It also makes it possible to use a slab foundation, known to be the most affordable way to build.
This new method is also used to afford a permanent fix for the ground under structures already standing. When a property owner notices that his building is showing signs of stress - cracking or subsiding - time is of the essence. Other methods of stabilization of the ground may not be feasible, but this scientific approach is.
Find a company Las Vegas way that offers free site inspections and estimates. Prevent costly damage in future or take immediate steps to prevent further problems down the road. After all, even in the desert it's bound to rain sometime.
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