Ramjacking Basement Floor

Cracks with heaving are signs of a bigger problem that needs to be addressed.

Ramjacking basement floor.

Heaving suggests that the soil beneath the basement floor is expanding. Even if you do not expect catastrophic events such as flooring moisture can and probably will invade your basement since basements are nothing more than holes in the ground lined with concrete and moisture is pervasive in the ground water vapor will gradually work its way upward through concrete basement flooring and will condense. The sub base wasn t properly compacted and the concrete settled in one area causing the basement floor to sink and crack. The truth is all concrete crack.

In simple terms sheets of concrete were poured at grade and this became the level for the house s flooring. Once a source of moisture exists mold follow. Spalling of the basement floor is unsightly but still acceptable. Depending on the pattern of settlement a basement floor can settle significantly without any trip hazards forming at the cracks.

The ground underneath your foundation is full of moisture. As a result the water worked. At ram jack we have over 40 years of foundation repair expertise simply put we know how to get the job done right the first time our foundation specialists work to restore structural stability for homeowners across the country. Finishing your unfinished basement is by far the least expensive way to add liveable square footage to your home.

6 types of basement floor cracks and what they mean. Moisture and height enemies of basement subfloors. While under construction the basement floor isn t heated in the winter and the dirt under the concrete freezes causing it to expand. Left unchecked over time the cracks grow and the concrete begins to fluctuate.

When there are cracks in your home s foundation it lets pressure force the water up into your basement. Noticeable height differences can be seen and cracks began to grow in size. Check each stud for curves called the crown and mark each curve with an x. When a basement floor crack is combined with heaving this is a cause for concern.

Make sure that all the curves are facing the same direction this will prevent the wall itself from having a curve in it. If your basement floor is not level which most basement floors aren t building on the floor will be a challenge. Framing the walls ceilings and the miscelaneous nooks is the first step in a basement finish project unless you need to add a plumbing drain or sump pump in the floor or are cutting the concrete walls to add windows or a doorway. But as concrete became a predominant building material concrete slabs became the vogue.

Cracks in the basement floors. Traditionally houses were built over a crawlspace or basement the flooring was raised over the ground level. Heaving is especially common in areas with clay soil. Risks of cracks in your basement floor water seepage.

Spalling or patches of surface flaking indicates that the concrete mix was too wet when poured.