If your basement needs repairs becasue of bowing walls or cracked floors, you likely are dealing with a foundational issue. It may be a significant investment depending on the seriousness of the problem. So, figuring out how long basement floor repairs last is a reasonable question. This article discusses the longevity of different types of basement floor repairs and what you should expect.
Temporary repairs like a polyurethane sealant or masonry patches are comparable to putting a bandaid on a scrape on your knee. Usually, the scrape is nothing too serious. However, if you ignore the scrape, it can become infected. Neglecting the problem will lead to a more significant problem, and it will need a much higher level of work to treat.
The same can be true for a foundational problem in your home. Minor cracks or sagging floors are like little scrapes in this case. Initially, little cracks need a bandaid, patches, or sealants. But over time, if left untreated, they will require more serious solutions. Treatments like unpinning techniques using helical piers like concrete piers are used for bowing walls or large cracks. Other less significant but still effective methods include slab jacking, spot piers, or segmented piers, which are essentially spot treatments for sloping areas of your foundation.
TYPES OF REPAIR METHODS
If you hire a company to do repairs for you, they should guarantee that the repairs last at least 25 years. Here are more details about each of the various foundation repair methods:
- Epoxy Fills: A quick-fix, DIY solution that repairs surface damage like hairline cracks and often lasts five years or more.
- Carbon Fiber Straps/Wall Anchors: These heavy-duty fixes for bowed walls often last several years, if not a decade or more.
- Polyurethane Lift: This method injects polyurethane foam into the ground beneath the broken foundation area. As the foam dries and hardens, it lifts the foundation into place and restores it to a level position. Polyurethane foam doesn’t deteriorate or weaken over time, so it is considered a permanent repair solution.
- Helical Piers: These resemble giant screws that are twisted into the ground beneath a damaged foundation, often used for foundations supporting less weight, such as a porch or garage. For helical piers to last as long as possible, installers should check the soil conditions before installation to know how deep to dig.
- Concrete Piers: These are often installed during the preconstruction phase of homebuilding and help support a foundation as it’s being poured. These piers are also used for sinking foundations by lifting them and providing added support.
- Steel Piers: Similar to concrete piers, steel piers are easier to work with and can be installed more readily. Concrete requires pouring while fresh and may disturb more landscaping and lawn than simple steel piers. Steel is also more resistant to moisture and added weight than concrete piers.
So… How Long Do Basement Floor Repairs Last?
So, the answer to “How long do basement floor repairs last?” is everyone’s favorite answer. It depends. It will depend on the severity of the damage and the method used for your particular repair. Quick-fix solutions will likely last five years, while an investment involving steel, anchors, or other heavy-duty repairs should last at least a few decades if not a lifetime.
We hope you have learned more about the different foundation repair methods available to you. Keeping your home’s foundation in good shape will make your home a lot safer. If you have further questions, contact us!