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Brick fence in Edmond

Steel piers and wall pushers utilized to return fence back to original plumb and stable condition.

Brick fence in Edmond2023-05-25T20:44:12+00:00

Buying an Old Home? 4 Common Tasks You May Face

When buying a home in or around Raleigh, North Carolina, some people look for the newest options on the market, while others are drawn to older homes with a more historic feel. Older homes are appealing for their unique architectural elements and their connection with history. However, these charming old houses can be expensive if you aren’t careful. Before making up your mind to buy an older home, we at PowerLift Foundation Repair want to make sure that you can handle these potential tasks:

Raleigh, North Carolina fixer-upper home

Major exterior work

You may be lucky enough to fall in love with a historic home that has been recently renovated, but you’ll most likely find one in “as-is” condition. This will likely cut a chunk off of the asking price, but also usually means that the home will be in need of some serious updating before it’s habitable. It isn’t uncommon for older homes to need new siding, new window shutters, a new roof, and even major landscaping work. All of these jobs will cost a significant amount of money, so make sure to have a contractor inspect the home and give you an estimate. This will allow you to gauge whether the lower price that you will pay for such a house is worth the work it’ll take to fix it afterwards.

Major inside repair work

One of the tradeoffs of owning an older home is that you’ll probably have to do some major work to get the utilities running properly. Some homeowners end up having to pay a couple thousand dollars to have their homes re-wired for electricity because they existing setup was dangerous; others will have to install HVAC systems to make the homes more comfortable in North Carolina’s sweltering summers. There’s also the plumbing and possible replacement of certain outdated features like the oven, stove, and shower. Consider how many of the updates would need to be done immediately and how many could be completed slowly over time to better manage costs.

Checking for dangerous chemicals

Today’s builders wouldn’t dream of insulating a house with asbestos or painting rooms with lead paint, but the home builders of the past wouldn’t have given it a second thought. If you’re thinking of buying an older home, you should have it inspected for any potentially dangerous building materials (especially if you have children or elderly tenants). Remember, it’s possible to get these things removed if you end up loving the home, but it could cost extra money.

Significant foundation work

A home’s foundation is important for its overall stability and habitability, and it isn’t uncommon for some older homes to need major foundation repairs. Foundation repair in Raleigh, North Carolina is very important, and should only be done by professionals (this should not be a DIY project). Have a home surveyor check your potential new home for foundation problems before you agree to purchase it. If you are set on the home but it needs repair, PowerLift Foundation Repair offers a surprisingly affordable way to do so. Call or contact us today to ask about our foundation repair services!

Buying an Old Home? 4 Common Tasks You May Face2022-12-27T18:27:47+00:00

Oklahoma City Public Schools

foundation repair schools okc

foundation repair schools

After much consideration by the Engineers, General Contractor and School board. PowerLift Foundation was chosen to solve the structural settlement issues of this OKC school. PowerLift advanced STEEL piers were successfully driven over 69 feet to true load bearing strata and simultaneously lifted to stabilize this building. All good now👍

Oklahoma City Public Schools2023-05-25T20:50:20+00:00

Foam Lifting Concrete Slabs Rises In Popularity As Cost Effective Alternative To Other Methods

ADA, OK – PowerLift Foundation Repair’s method of polyurethane foam injection lifting of sinking concrete slab surfaces is growing in popularity as a cost-effective and environmentally-friendly alternative to the traditional method of demolition and replacement, as well as other injection methods. This method has multiple applications in residential, municipal and commercial markets, including, concrete slab lifting of sinking driveways, sidewalks, in residential applications and in municipal and commercial surfaces, like parking lots, roadways, and airport runways, etc. That makes, it a smarter, faster, stronger method of raising concrete slabs with many attributes:

  • Faster: Polyurethane concrete raising is 80% quicker than other injection repair methods. The material hardens in minutes, allowing repairs to be completed in hours instead of days and weeks of traditional methods. This rapid curing time of high-density polyurethane foam can allow public use immediately after the completion of the injection process.  Foam injection requires smaller injection holes of 3/8”, compared to 1”, or greater for alternative concrete lifting methods.
  • Smarter: Foam raising provides unsurpassed precision with an accuracy rate of 1/100th of an inch. Other repair methods must take shrinkage into consideration, but polyurethane foam expands and is more controllable with its quick drying characteristics. PowerLift’s material is specifically formulated to resist wet conditions, as it’s hydrophobic qualities repel water without compromising integrity.
  • Stronger: PowerLift’s polyurethane foam has a huge advantage over other material, as it provides a solid dense void platform that permantly supports the slab, of which its tensile strength and elongation allows it to be tough and pliable under heavy workloads. The foam has the unique ability to expand 20 times its liquid volume, which allows it to move laterally beneath pavement filling all voids and support the concrete slab with 100% coverage. Foam seeps into the sub-base of the concrete binding soil particles together, which strengthens the material base and creating an additional compounding effect during the lifting process and adds durability.
  • Smarter Weight: Other injection methods, such as mudjacking grout, can weigh down the sub-base up to 100 lbs. per cubic foot, as compare to polyurethane foam, which only contributes about 3 to 5 pounds per cubic foot.

Whether the application is raising a sinking driveway, or sidewalk in a neighborhood; a highway section on the interstate; or a runway at the airport, high-density polyurethane foam is a faster, smarter, and more cost effective and environmentally friendly way to get the job done.

Founded in 1986 in Ada, OK, PowerLift pioneered the foundation repair business and their patented steel pier foundation systems continue to provide the most reliable repairs available today. The Company has been a major contributor in innovative development of all known modern-day foundation repair techniques. With an A+ BBB rating, PowerLift has repaired over 25,000 residential, commercial and industrial foundations in its primary market area of Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, North Carolina and several other states. Also, PowerLift has become the “Go-To-Company” for the most complicated commercial repair projects across the U.S. and does not consider any job too big or too small.

Foam Lifting Concrete Slabs Rises In Popularity As Cost Effective Alternative To Other Methods2022-01-25T22:26:23+00:00

Project: Dine’ College- Tsaile, Arizona

This seven-story university building is located in Northeast Arizona. The large structure was constructed utilizing large belled concrete piers drilled down 12’ below grade with intersecting grade beams between the columns.

A major leak in the water supply system allowed the building to fail at the columns and created an upheaval in the floor slab system.

Working with a local General Contractor, Power Lift installed 330 steel pilings on existing and newly built structural beams installed in the lower level. We needed to add load bearing capacity to the original concrete columns and add support for the 8” structural slab to be repoured. Several tons of rebar reinforcing was added to the structure incorporated in the new beams and floor slab.

Soil borings indicated that sufficient bearing was located at 45’. Final depths ranged from 45’-50’.

Project: Dine’ College- Tsaile, Arizona2020-05-13T23:17:16+00:00

Project: Oilfield Manufacturing Company – Bloomfield, New Mexico

The excessive loads handled by the overhead crane system and the relatively weak load bearing soils, added to the already failing foundation system on this structure. There is an obvious deflection in the roof system just above the air compressor.

A massive excavation was completed to expose the load bearing columns and intersecting grade beams. The overhead crane was loaded to its maximum capacity and set above each pier location during the installation process.

The main structure was raised 1”-2” with select columns in the loading bay area being raised as much as 5.5”. Intersecting grade beams were subsequently piered and lifted to stabilize the entire system. Notice the alignment of the roof system after the lift.

Project: Oilfield Manufacturing Company – Bloomfield, New Mexico2020-04-10T15:55:53+00:00

Commercial Warehouse- Streetsboro, Ohio

The inspection and elevation study performed on the building revealed settlement of the east exterior wall and failure of the interior columns designed to support the roof loads. Elevation losses of up to 12” were found associated with the interior columns. The east exterior wall was piered, raised back into place, and stabilized.

Our focus then turned to the interior roof columns. Piers were driven on each side of the support pad on the affected columns. Five interior columns were raised simultaneously from 4” to 10.75”.

The roof had to be monitored during the lift process to re-establish the proper grade to the roof drains.

The columns were raised independently of the floor slab. The interior floor slab was pressure grouted to fill the voids and raise it more than 12”. More than 50 cubic yards of grout was pumped under the floor slab to accomplish this step in repairs.

Commercial Warehouse- Streetsboro, Ohio2020-04-10T16:29:26+00:00

What You Must Know About Foundation Repair

Foundation Repair Problems

Foundation repair problems can not only be come evident on the exterior of a structure, but also on the interior. Spotting foundation problems can initially be subtle, but over time, foundation issues on a structure can become a major issue.

There are three main things to look out for:

  • Foundation damage may be evident because you have settling or uneven floors.
  • Another tell-tale sign is windows and doors that no longer open and close the way they should. If you see wall separation from door and window frames, the problem could be your foundation.
  • Cracks in walls, molding, and exterior concrete also point the way to foundation problems. Look out for foundation cracks and basement cracks (including horizontal cracks in basement walls).

The good news is that Powerlift Foundation Repair can repair your foundation, whether you are needing residential foundation repair, or commercial foundation repair, Powerlift has not only a team of experts, but we have the professional equipment, backed by years of experience.

What Does Foundation Repair Mean?

While there are different kinds of foundation repair, the shared goal is to stabilize the foundation. A professional will choose the right method for the situation. Two of the main types of foundation repair are foundation piering and slabjacking.

Foundation piering takes care of shifting clay or soil and other issues beneath the foundation. Piers are driven into the ground to prevent further movement of the foundation. Slabjacking, on the other hand, will involve drilling into the foundation to strengthen it with a mixture.

Do I Need Foundation Repair?

Uneven floors, cracks, or windows and doors that stick don’t mean that all is lost. In the best-case scenario, you may even find that your house is settling.

Foundations moving is not the problem. One part of your foundation moving while another part does not, however, can lead to damage. If your house is settling, this is natural and you won’t require a foundation repair.

While it’s not all bad news, don’t leave the integrity of your foundations to chance. If you’ve seen basement cracks, foundation cracks, or any other signs of a foundation problem, heed the warning immediately. Ask for our professional, reliable advice.

If you need a foundation repair, we’ll tell you why. We won’t do anything without your agreement and you can rest assured that we can explain the situation. We will explore any disadvantages of particular techniques to help you make the best decisions for you and your property.

How Much Does Foundation Repair Cost?

The cost of foundation repair depends on many factors. These include the type and size of the property, the severity of the damage, and the ground involved. Costs vary so much that an average estimate is unlikely to be useful to you. The best thing to do is to give us a call so we can see the issue for ourselves.

Benefit from our experience and expertise onsite. We will work out a custom plan to tackle your foundation problem, if a problem exists. And we will openly discuss the cost of the solutions with you.

Although people tend not to think about the foundation until something goes wrong, it is the most critical part of your home. We want it to continue to do its job. To help you solve any issues before they become serious problems, give us a call straight away. We’re ready to serve you with our friendly customer service and our expert analysis and advice.

What You Must Know About Foundation Repair2020-01-13T00:30:55+00:00

A Busy Year for Foundation Repair in Oklahoma!

oklahoma foundation repairFoundation Repairs

Residential & Commercial Foundation Repair

Oklahoman’s may be headed for a long, hot, dry summer causing Foundation Settlement Havoc!  As the summer months heat up clay soils dry out causing millions of dollars in Foundation damage.  When clay soils dry out they shrink and provide less support for your Foundation.  Yes it is true hot dry summers take a toll on Foundation Stability.

When foundations settle you will see cracks develop in your Brick and Sheetrock!  Often times settlement problems cause cracks to develop in both concrete and wood floors.  When structures settle it can also cause doors to drag or stick, fireplaces will lean away from the structure causing large gaps to develop between your house and your fireplace.  You may hear your house creak or pop as settlement progresses, if you notice any one of these problems around your home you may need Foundation Repair.

When you need Foundation Repair in Oklahoma Powerlift is here for you!  We provide our Foundation Repair Services State wide, so whether your in Oklahoma City, Edmond, Moore, Norman, Ardmore, Ponca City, Enid, Ada, McAlester, Tulsa, Bartlesville, Broken Arrow, Durant, Lawton, Duncan, Altus, Woodward or anywhere else in Oklahoma, Powerlift Foundation Repair is your Foundation Repair Specialist.  Powerlift provides all the latest Repair techniques available.  Steel Piers, Helical Piers, pre-construction piers and Polyurethane Foam Injection and are just a few of the services we provide for all your Foundation Repair needs.

Do not be mislead by those guys who advertise a Cheapest Price Guarantee, they are cheap for a reason!  Pressed piles are cheaper but they simply do not work well in Oklahoma’s clay soils.  Engineers will tell you a deeper pier is a better pier!  Powerlift’s piers are driven to bedrock or a load-bearing strata providing long term support, we provide the most proven method in the Industry when Oklahoma clay soils shrink.

If you want the best pier in the market at an affordable and fair price, look no further!  Powerlift Foundation Repair is Oklahoma’s Foundation Repair Expert!  With over 30 years experience in providing first class Foundation Repair services in Oklahoma’s clay soils, we have hundreds and hundreds of satisfied customers.

Oklahoma Foundation Repair

Oklahoma City, Norman, Edmond and Enid
(405) 748-5438

Tulsa Foundation Repair

Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Bartlesville and McAlester
(918) 587-5438

Altus, Lawton and Duncan Foundation Repair

(580) 355-5900

Ada, Ardmore and Durant

 (580) 332-5438

For State wide Foundation Repair service call (800)-562-5438. 

Call PowerLift Foundation Repair TODAY and put your home back on a Firm Foundation.

 

 

 

A Busy Year for Foundation Repair in Oklahoma!2019-05-28T14:15:56+00:00
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