Why Carbon Fiber Is The Best Choice For Foundation Repair | Louisville, KY

Carbon Fiber is an excellent choice for foundation repair on your home or project. StablWall uses carbon fiber technology to strengthen basement walls and concrete structures. For the first time, homeowners and residential contractors can benefit from carbon fiber’s strength – until recently, carbon fiber was only available to commercial or government contractors.

Carbon fiber for foundations

The repair of foundation walls requires a strong material. Foundation walls are always under high pressure. The pressure on walls that are bowed, rotated or bulged is even greater because of the lateral pressure exerted on them by the expanding soil that surrounds it.

In the past, the standard way to repair foundation walls was to use steel I-beams. These were set vertically against the inside surface of the wall. The top and bottom of the I-beams were anchored to prevent any movement. This method of foundation repair is still being used even today. However, the use of carbon fiber strips is quickly becoming the most common method of foundation repair.

Carbon fiber wall repair

Carbon fiber is called thus because it consists of thin strips of carbon. These thin strips are woven into a fabric to form strips. When in this form, carbon fiber becomes virtually unbreakable. It does not stretch and is very strong. Despite its incredible strength, carbon fiber maintains a light weight. In fact, it is considered to weigh two thirds less than steel but is five times stronger.

Why professionals prefer carbon fiber wall repair

Many professionals are shifting to the use of carbon fiber for foundation wall repair. There are many benefits to using this material. These include:

  1. Installation of carbon fiber strips is quick and easy

The installation of carbon fiber is quite simple. It doesn’t take a high level of skill to do it. The installation process also doesn’t require many tools or materials. Installation of carbon fiber strips can be done within a few hours depending on the extent of damage to the foundation walls. You therefore won’t have to put up with many days of contractors trudging all over your home.

  1. Carbon fiber is incredibly strong

The construction industry has benefited a great deal from the introduction of carbon fiber. Carbon fiber is five times as strong as steel. It is however less than a third the weight of the same volume of steel. It is for this reason it is used widely in the construction of commercial aircrafts. This strength makes carbon fiber the best material to use in the repair of a foundation.

  1. There is no need for maintenance

Once the carbon fiber strip has been applied to the wall, there is no need for further maintenance. You therefore don’t have to worry about the extra costs that come with the maintenance and repair over time. Carbon fiber is durable too. You therefore won’t have to keep checking to ensure that the fiber is still in working condition.

  1. Low costs

If you want to save money on the repair of your foundation, then you should invest in carbon fiber strips. These strips are a cost efficient. They cost about half as much as you would spend if you were to invest in steel beams.

  1. Low visibility

If you want a solution that doesn’t stand out grotesquely, then carbon fiber strips are right for you. Once they have been installed they will appear as a small bump in the wall. You can paint over them if you want them to disappear completely.

Contact StablWall Today!  866.782.5955

Don’t Patch Your Cracks

foundation crack patchThere are a lot of companies that do foundation wall cracks and repair them from the inside or outside with a patch method. If the basement is unfinished (no drywall or paneling) and the crack is exposed on the interior, companies typically recommend epoxy/urethane injection process. This is a two step process which involves sealing the crack on its inside face with an epoxy paste and injecting a urethane resin which fills the entire crack to the outside soil.

If the crack is obstructed by paneling or drywall, then companies address the problem from the exterior utilizing wall-clay process or using the epoxy/urethane injection process. This involves coring a small hole in the earth at the crack location and filling the hole with a granular clay to form an impermeable water barrier or injecting the urethane and using the epoxy paste.

Both foundation crack repair processes are minimally invasive and minimally effective. Most foundation wall cracks do not pose any structural concerns, but solving them correctly the first time will prevent any future needs or worries about the cracks. Certain crack pattern formations and those wider than 1/8”, however, can be a sign of a structural problem that should be further evaluated by companies who offer foundation crack repair and structural repairs.

 

Tips For Choosing A Foundation Repair Contractor

foundation repair contractor

We know choosing a foundation repair contractor can be a bit difficult as well as nerve wrecking.

Here are ten questions to ask the company. These will help you make your decision a little easier:

1.)  Years in the Business?
2.)  What Is Their Warranty?
3.)  What Type of System Do They Use?
4.)  Are They Insured?
5.)  Part of any Affiliations/Associations?
6.)  Price Compared to Benefits?
7.)  Sales Rep Certifications/Awards?
8.)  Sales Rep Knowledge?
9.)  Sales Rep Badmouthing Competition?
10.)  Companies Reputation?

The answers to these ten questions will give you all the answers you need to make your decision if the company is right for you. For more      information about foundation repair contractors, visit our homepage stablwallcarbonfiber.com or give us a call at 866-782-5955.