Home Foundation Repair

Residential & Home Foundation Repair

Since 1987 Altas has been the experts in home foundation repair. We have Lifted and Supported more homes than most of our competitors combined. Its not a sidelineto us or something that we do when its not raining. Rather it is our way of life and what we specialize doing. What really separates us from our competition are the astounding results that we are able to accomplish. You see,when you start with the strongest piers in the industry, you can lift more weight . It’s really that simple.Repairing your home’s foundation is not a sideline job for us.

Warranty

50 Year Transferable Warranty

Displaced Foundations/Load Bearing Walls

Problem: Displaced Foundations/Load Bearing Walls

Settling foundations are very common in Georgia homes. Foundation issues are typically due to bad drainage, ground movement, subsidence and poor construction, all of which can cause your foundation to shift and settle. If this occurs, you may notice doors and windows that will no longer open or close and drywall cracks. You can count on the pros at Atlas Piers for solutions to your settling foundation problems.

Problem Be on the lookout for these signs of foundation settlement in your home:

Windows and doors becoming stuck or misaligned
Cracks in your basement
Cracks in your slab
Gaps and spaces in walls and floors
Beam and post problems
Cracks in ceiling
Cracks on sheet rock
Floors that are uneven or on a slope
Pooling of water that forms around the base of your home
Porch or patio damage

The soils around your home, typically 6 to 8 feet below ground level, go through wet and dry cycles due to the seasonal moisture and temperature changes. When you have a drastic atmospheric change, like a heavy rainfall right after a drought, water moves through the soil at a greater rate than normal. The water always looks for the path of least resistance, if this path is leading the water through or under your foundation, settlement and cracks will start to appear. Soils with heavy concentrations of water can double in weight causing hydrostatic pressure to push against your foundation, or consolidate soils. This consolidation can cause your home’s foundation to sink due to the lack of support.

Solution: Resistance or Helical Underpinning

Helical Piles and Steel Resistance Piers are two common forms of underpinning that may be used to remedy a settling foundation. There are many advantages to underpinning.

Solution

Underpinning provides a durable repair that will keep your home stable for years.
Underpinning prevents future sinking.
Helical and push piers can be installed in any weather conditions.
The installation of these piers leaves little mess.
Underpinning may prevent water damage from cracked walls.
Underpinning resolves many foundation settlement problems such as cracked,bowing, and leaning walls, sticking doors and windows, and a cracked slab.

Contact the Atlas team today for more information regarding solutions for cracked,settling foundations, other foundation repair topics, and pricing!

Settled and Leaning Chimneys

Problem: Settled and Leaning Chimneys

A leaning or tilted chimney tends to be a more noticeable foundation failure sign. It is also a very dangerous problem. When your chimney tilts or leans, it can either fall in on your home, or be a danger for you or your neighbors as bricks and mortar can come loose and fall. Bugs, water, and small animals can make there way into a chimney that is tilted or even separated from the main structure. It is also a big, red flag that you have foundation problems. If you notice your chimney even tilting slightly it is wise to inspect the rest of your home and foundation. If you notice your chimney leaning you need expert help. It is not a do-it-yourself foundation repair. For your safety and the safety of your neighbors, contact Atlas Piers for a free consultation and a relatively inexpensive repair.

Causes of Chimney Problems (Cracks, Leaning, Tilting)

There are quite a few reasons that your chimney can begin to lean, tilt, or separate from your home. Most of them have to do with problems in the ground around your chimney. Here is a list of the most common problems that cause a leaning chimney and other chimney problems:

A footing that is too small for the chimney – Stability is determined by the size of the footing for your chimney. If it is too small issues will arise. The standard is to have a footing is as least one foot in thickness, and sticks out on all sides of the chimney by six inches.
Poor soil quality – Soil that is loose has a habit of expanding and contracting frequently based on the amount of water in the soil, or lack thereof. Erosion of the soil can also play a big part in weakening support for the chimney structure.
Footing that is falling apart – In many areas of our country freezing and thawing is common and this can cause big problems for concrete. Chimney footings made out of concrete will suffer from this problem.
Footings that are too shallow – If the ground is shallow beneath the footing, rapid freezing and expanding can occur causing a heaving of the footing which can surely cause displacement of the chimney above it.

Solution: Resistance Underpinning

When your chimney experiences the problems above, it needs extra, added support to stabilize and straighten the structure. This can be done with an installation of Steel Resistance Piers, due to their proven ability to add support and strength while also straightening your chimney.

So if you notice your chimney leaning, tilting, cracking, or separating from your home, don’t ignore it. Fixing a chimney with these chimney problems could prevent future problems with your foundation. It might also help uncover other foundation problems you might be experiencing and save you money in the long run. Contact Atlas Piers for a free consultation and a relatively inexpensive repair.

Settled Garage Columns and Slabs

Problem: Garage Column Cracks

Poorly compacted and weak soils can lead to problems with not just your home, but also your foundation. Your garage’s foundation might be settling as well, which is most noticeable in the form of garage column cracks. These are often horizontal or vertical cracks running just above your garage columns.

Problems that may occur in addition to garage column cracks include:

wall or floor cracks in the home
sticking doors or windows
cracked/shifting garage floor and driveway
gaps of space between the garage door and the slab

Garage column cracks can be a big safety hazard. Typically, garage columns are the main support for your garage and any structure/room above it; cracks can make your garage more susceptible to crumbling or falling. Garage column cracks should be repaired as soon as possible to prevent further damage to your garage and home.

Garage columns often crack because the slab beneath the columns is shifting. It is common for slabs and foundations to sink or settle over time due to unevenly packed or improperly compacted soil.

Solution: Helical Underpinning

Underpinning can help to stabilize and level your garage column. Helical piers can be installed to prevent further sinking into unevenly packed soil. These piers are screw-like steel rods that can be inserted beneath pre-existing walls. Underpinning can help support your garage column and lift it back to its previous position.

Resistance piers may also be used, depending on the severity of your specific situation. Both helical and resistance piers can be installed in all weather conditions and provide lifelong support for your walls. The loads can be transferred immediately after installation. Atlas Piers only uses high quality piers, ensuring a successful and sound repair job.

Whatever solution is necessary, the Atlas team is available to help repair your garage column. Contact us for more information today!

Bowed Basement Walls

Problem: Bowed Basement Walls

Problems

A crack in your basement wall is a sign of foundation failure. Other signs include your basement wall bowing, leaning or rotating. These are important indicators that your foundation is in need of repair.

Some cracking in concrete and block basement walls is normal; however, more serious cracks are indicative of foundation issues. Stair-step cracks in masonry joints are a big concern, especially if the wall is bulging or if the crack is wider than 1/4 inch. Horizontal cracks are the most serious. It may mean that the water-saturated soils froze and expanded pushing in and breaking the foundation, or because soil loads exceed what the wall is capable of holding.

If you notice serious cracks, or if your basement wall is bowing, leaning or rotating, it is important to contact Atlas Piers for a free consultation.

Solution: Helical Tiebacks

After we inspect your foundation, we will provide the correct solution based on your repair needs.

helical tieback installation in atlanta Helical tiebacks or anchors are designed to stabilize and strengthen bowing basement walls. They are installed from the inside of the basement wall through a small hole. With exterior excavation, the basement wall can be immediately pulled back to its original design.

The products we use for basement wall repair are

manufactured by Atlas/AB Chance and Earth Contact Products (ECP), the two leaders in foundation repair products in the industry. Contact the Atlas team today for more information regarding solutions for basement walls and other foundation repair topics!

stoops and deck support columns

Problem: Stoops and Deck Support Columns

When it comes to your front porch or patio, foundation issues should not be ignored. The foundation of your porch is just as important as the foundation for the rest of your home. It needs to bear not only the weight of the porch, but also the roof, railings, and columns. Therefore, porches and patios are susceptible to sinking and settlement just as a home’s foundation is.

Some of the most common causes of porch and patio settlement are:

Poor soil compaction at time of build
Unstable water conditions
Undersized foundations

If your porch is pulling away from your home and tilting, this is a sign of a foundation issues. Large cracks in your patio could also be indicative of foundation failure. Don’t ignore your porch foundation problem, as it could become a hazard. Let one of our expert team members come out to inspect your porch/patio and provide a free estimate for repair.

Solution: Helical Underpinning

Underpinning can help to stabilize and level your stoop and/or deck. Helical piers can be installed to prevent further sinking into unevenly packed soil. These piers are screw-like steel rods that can be inserted beneath pre-existing walls. Underpinning can help support your stoop or deck support columns and lift them back up to their previous position.

Resistance piers may also be used, depending on the severity of your specific situation. Both helical and resistance piers can be installed in all weather conditions and provide lifelong support for your walls. The loads can be transferred immediately after installation. Atlas Piers only uses high quality piers, ensuring a successful and sound repair job.

Whatever solution is necessary, the Atlas team is available to help repair your settling deck and/or stoop. Contact us for more information today!

Cracked and Settling Slabs

Problem: Cracked and Settling Slabs

The most common causes of concrete slab settlement are drying and shrinking soils beneath the slab, poorly compacted fill soils, or a washout of soil. All of which will create a void beneath the slab. When the concrete is not strong enough to span the void, the slab will eventually crack, break and settle. If the partition walls of your home or building start to settle with the slab, this is when drywall cracking can occur. When homes or buildings are being constructed, oftentimes layers of soil are moved around or spread out to lift the grade to a desired level. After the structure is built, the footings may extend below the fill soils, but the slab could still remain on top. If those fill soils were loosely compacted, they will eventually consolidate beneath the weight of the slab, interior load bearing walls and vehicles (in the case of a garage or car port slab). The slab will then begin to crack and break as it settles.

Solution 1: Helical Slab Piers

We offer a variety of products for porch/patio foundation repair, including:
Repair

Slab pier assemblies are steel piers that are installed deep into the soil under the porch or patio to transfer the weight of the slab to more competent strata. Once these piers are installed, the porch or patio is lifted back to a level position.
Helical slab piers are installed by drilling a hole and placing the bracket and screw into bedrock to more stable soil. The brackets on these helical slab piers help support heavy concrete. Helical slab piers are a more cost-effective way to repair your porch or slab rather than replacing it.

All of our foundation repair products are manufactured by only the highest quality manufacturers in the industry. With over 30 years of experience and the best products for foundation repair, you can count on the experts at Atlas Piers to for a repair job that will last for years to come! Contact us today for more information regarding solutions for porches and patios as well as other foundation repair topics!

Solution 2: Hydraulic Slab Lift Pier

Hydraulic slab lift piers offer foundation repair contractors the reliability of the classic steel pier while also providing the ease of portable equipment. For the repair of settling or sinking foundations, hydraulic slab piers are becoming an increasingly popular solution.

In most situations, hydraulic slab lift piers are used to lift and stabilize settling foundations and work in much the same way as other types of resistance piers. They are end-bearing piers, meaning that they do not rely on skin friction to produce support for the slab. Instead, the entire slab acts as a reaction force.

Benefits of Hydraulic Slab Lift Piers include:

Can be used with slabs 4 inch thick or more
Reliable solution for concrete leveling
Uses portable equipment
Evenly distributes weight of structure on piers
Minimal setup time
Piers install quickly
Low cost and time efficient
Installed indie the structure
Pier do not rely on skin friction
Little to no vibration
Installs to rock or end bearing stratum

Solution 3: Soil Permeation Grouting

Another solution for cracked slabs that Atlas

Piers of Atlanta offers is Soil Permeation Grouting and Compaction Grouting. These techniques are used to stabilize the soil and repair the effects of settlement for many times of structures and surfaces. The most common application would be for garage slabs, basement floors and patios.

Bay Windows

Problem: Bay Windows

Poorly compacted and weak soils can lead to problems with not just your home, but also your foundation. Your bay window’s foundation might be settling as well, which is most noticeable in the form of cracking around the window. These are often horizontal or vertical cracks running just above or below your window.

Problems that may occur in addition to bay window cracks include:

wall or floor cracks in the home
sticking doors or windows
uneven floors just inside the footprint of the bay window

Typically bay window problems are not major structural issues and are isolated to just the window itself. Contact Atlas Piers for a free consultation and a relatively inexpensive repair.

Solution: Helical Underpinning

Underpinning can help keep your garage level and stable. Helical piers can be installed to keep your garage from sinking further into unevenly packed soil. These piers are screw-like steel rods that can be inserted beneath pre-existing walls. Underpinning can help support your garage columns and lift them back up to their previous position. These piers can also support the rest of your garage to keep any other portions from sinking in uneven soil.

Resistance piers may also be used, depending on the severity of your specific situation. Both helical and resistance piers can be installed in all weather conditions and provide lifelong support for your walls. The loads can be transferred immediately after installation. Atlas Piers only uses high quality piers, ensuring a successful and sound repair job.

Whatever solution is necessary, the Atlas team is available to help repair your garage column cracks. Contact us today for more information regarding solutions for garage column cracks and other foundation repair topics!

Room Additions

Problem: Room Additions

Room additions, such as sun rooms and screened-in porches, are generally built on continuous spread footings or individual footings (concrete footings with steel/wood columns). Typically these additions settle, because they are constructed upon the poorly compacted soils behind the basement foundation wall.

Solution: Helical Underpinning

Underpinning can help keep your room addition level and stable. Helical piers can be installed to keep your room addition from sinking further into unevenly packed soil. These piers are screw-like steel rods that can be inserted beneath pre-existing walls. Underpinning can help support your room addition footings/columns and lift them back up to their previous position. These piers can also support the rest of your room addition to keep any other portions from sinking in uneven soil.

Resistance piers may also be used, depending on the severity of your specific situation. Both helical and resistance piers can be installed in all weather conditions and provide lifelong support for your walls. The loads can be transferred immediately after installation. Atlas Piers only uses high quality piers, ensuring a successful and sound repair job.

Whatever solution is necessary, the Atlas team is available to help repair your room addition footing/column cracks. Contact us today for more information regarding foundation repair solutions for room additions and more!

Retaining Walls

Problem: Retaining Walls

A crack or bowing in your retaining wall is a sign of foundation failure. Other signs include your retaining wall leaning or rotating. These are important indicators that your foundation is in need of repair.

Stair-step cracks in masonry/concrete walls and bulging modular block and/or pressure-treated timber retaining walls can be a big concern. In the case of masonry/concrete walls, horizontal cracks are the most serious. It may mean that the water-saturated soils or tree root systems in the active soil pressure zone, for instance, can cause the failure.

If you notice serious cracks, or if your retaining wall is bowing, leaning or rotating, it is important to contact Atlas Piers for a free consultation.

Solution: Helical Tiebacks

After we inspect your foundation, we will provide the correct solution based on your repair needs.

helical tieback installation in atlanta Helical tiebacks or anchors are designed to stabilize and strengthen bowing retaining walls. They are installed through access holes in the wall.

The products we use for basement wall repair are

manufactured by Atlas/AB Chance and Earth Contact Products (ECP), the two leaders in foundation repair products in the industry. Contact the Atlas team today for more information regarding solutions for your retaining walls and other foundation repair topics!

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