What is Carbon Fiber?

Carbon Fiber

Foundation damage is something no homeowner wants to encounter. While new construction systems guarantee a longer life span for any type of foundation, older homes are susceptible to foundation problems. There are myriad causes of such damage including hydrostatic pressure and soil movements. Whatever the cause of damage, you need to find a fast and effective foundation repair system to protect your precious investment.

Contractors today have adopted carbon fiber technology as the best structural repair system for cracked foundation walls. This is a revolutionary wall repair system that leverages the tough strength of carbon fiber to guarantee permanent remedies to cracking caused by bulging or bowing walls. As a homeowner, it is imperative to get insight on this new technology even before calling in a certified contractor to install the same.

Below are some ideas to help you understand carbon fiber technology repair:

What Is Carbon Fiber?

The first question you must be asking is; what is carbon fiber? This is understandable considering there are many other technologies that have been in use including steep piers and slab jacking in foundation repair. Carbon fiber is a high-strength strand made from a fabric that does not stretch and is virtually unbreakable.

The fibers in the strands have a tensile strength of 350,000 psi, which is 10 times stronger than steel and has made this a popular alternative for contractors looking to provide high quality services to homeowners. When these strands are bonded to the wall using a special adhesive, the wall cannot move anymore thus averting further damage and protecting your property. This is a structural solution that actually adds strength to the wall.

Why Use Carbon Fiber Repair?

Now that you have an answer to what is carbon fiber, why not look at the advantages of using this technology? Take a look:

  1. Less intrusion into the foundation: There is no drilling involved, which prevents further damage to the foundation.
  2. Flexible wrap: This means it can take any shape and can be used on any type of walls.
  3. Quick installation: There is no excavation involved and once the wall is prepared a high-strength epoxy is applied and the carbon fiber strip is attached. A sill plate is attached to ensure the strip is fully in position.
  4. Low visibility: These strips are not highly conspicuous and hence the aesthetic appeal of your wall is not affected. You can also paint over the strips without affecting their tensile strength.
  5. Low-maintenance system: Once in place, no further care is required which saves you a lot of money.

Carbon fiber wall repair is cheap, convenient and effective. Talk to a certified contractor on how this system can be used to repair your home’s foundation walls.