Guardian Foundation Repair Offers A Variety Of Crawl Space Repair Services in Knoxville, Chattanooga and Tri-Cities.
Crawl Space Drain Services
Guardian Foundation Repair Offers Crawl Space Drain Installation Services in Knoxville, Chattanooga and Tri-Cities.
A crawl space drain is a great alternative to exterior excavation and waterproofing in hard-to-reach areas. In order to maximize the effectiveness of the crawl space drain, a vapor barrier or encapsulation system needs to be added to help reduce the moisture levels and improve air quality in the crawl space.
What is a crawl space drain?
Crawl space drains are 4” corrugated perforated pipe with a sock cover, installed along interior footer to carry water to a sump pump or low spot allowing gravitational exit. The Drain is back-filled with gravel and in some cases masonry weep holes are needed in block wall to relieve hydrostatic pressure and allow water to enter drain system.
Termite Damage Repair
Home foundations are usually made of concrete because it can withstand high compressive stressors. Foundations require very strong materials, and need to be the most durable part of any property because they support the weight of the whole structure. If there is any damage to your foundation, it can affect the entire house and can be a very costly repair. Guardian Foundation Repair is a leading specialist in foundation repairs in Knoxville, Tennessee. We can fix foundation problems ranging from simple maintenance, leveling, waterproofing, and even termite damage.
Termites are known to eat away the wood in houses. They cannot eat concrete materials, which foundations are made from, but they can gain access through even the smallest cracks and reach nearby wooden materials such as found in crawl spaces and support beams. Once termites have infiltrated your home, it’s only a matter of time before they grow in number and cause significant damage. Making sure termites are unable to enter and destroy any part of your home is our top priority.
Foundation Termite Damage Repair in Knoxville TN
There are around 45 different species of termites found in the U.S., and they fall under three main termite types: subterranean, dampwood, and drywood. Of these three types, subterranean termites are the most damaging to a structure. They can be found in every U.S. state except Alaska, and cause the majority of termite damage in the country.
Subterranean swarming termites are most active during late spring and summer. This is their mating season, and is usually when they start building colonies around homes. These termites live underground and wood and soil are their primary source of food. They also travel above ground for food by building tunnels made out of mud, feces and saliva for protection. Living underground and near your foundation, any cracks in the walls can be a gateway for them to enter your home.
Once they have entered your home, they will forage for any nearby food source such as the wooden support beams in the basement. The cellulose material found in wood is what attracts termites to it. Any source of cellulose can be termite food, like paper and cardboard that you might have stored in your basement. They can also eat through plants, fiber carpets, and even materials not containing cellulose, in search of a food source.
Detecting termite infestation can be difficult unless the damage is already severe. If you are regularly checking your basement, you should look for mud tunnels in the walls, termites use these tunnels to travel to wooden structures. Structures will also show a honeycomb-like pattern indicating termites have already fed on them. Termite infestation produces a moldy smell, similar to the smell from water damage.
Providing a premier service in foundation repair is what sets Guardian Foundation Repair apart from other home contractors. We specialize in all areas of foundation repair and have extensive experience. If you notice any sign of termite infestation in your basement, give us a call for a free inspection. In most cases, the best way to repair floor joists or girder beams that have beam that have been damaged by termites is to replace the sections all together. Sistering the joist r beam is the other option.
Termites can be troublesome and can eat away at your property unnoticed for some time. It is crucial to call the Foundation Termite Damage Repair Knoxville trusts and schedule service with Guardian Foundation Repair at the first sign of termite damage. Protect your home from infestation and call us for a free inspection today!
Crawl Space Adjustments
Guardian Foundation Repair Offers Crawl Space Adjustment Services in Knoxville, Johnson City, & Surrounding TN Areas
Conventional Adjustment
This repair consists of 4″ x 4″ or 6″ x 6″ treated posts that run perpendicular to the floor joists, with adjustable floor jacks on solid 8″ blocks or 24″ x 24″ x 8″ concrete footers.
This system allows us to adjust and level sagging floors at affordable cost to the homeowner.
These jacks have a 9,000 – 18,000 lbs. capacity based on the adjusted setting.
Block Columns
Over time, the structural supports or load bearing areas may begin to sink into the ground or the wood begins to rot. It may also be discovered there were too few supports to begin with.
For maximum girder supports, Guardian Foundation Repair recommends:
- A double stacked 8 inch block column with solid 4 inch cap blocks. These blocks are constructed on a 30″ x 30″ x 8″ footer on 6 foot centers.
- For less load bearing areas such as porches and sunrooms we offer a single stacked 8 inch block column.
Block Column Installation
Need To Make Sure Your Home Is Fully Supported?
Guardian Foundation Repair, LLC Offers Block Column Installation Services in Knoxville, Johnson City, & Surrounding TN Areas
Over time, the structural supports or load bearing areas may begin to sink into the ground or the wood begins to rot. It may also be discovered there were too few supports to begin with.
Block Column Installation Recommendations:
For Maximum main girder supports:
- A double stacked 8” block column with a solid 4” cap block. These blocks are constructed on a 30”x30”x8” footer on 6-foot centers.
For less load bearing areas, such as Porches and Sunrooms:
- We offer a single stacked 8” block column
Conventional Adjustment Repair
Need To Adjust Your Sagging Floors?
Guardian Foundation Repair, LLC Offers Conventional Adjustment Repair Services in Knoxville, Johnson City, & Surrounding TN Areas
This repair consists of treated wood beams or steel beams that run perpendicular to the floor joists, with adjustable floor jacks on solid 8” blocks or 24” x 24” x 8” concrete footers. This system allows us to adjust and level sagging floors at affordable cost to the homeowner. These jacks have a 9,000-18,000 lbs. capacity based on the adjusted setting.
Crawl Space Encapsulation
Crawl Space Encapsulation in Knoxville TN – Why Do I Need It?
Older homes usually have a crawl space in place of a basement. It is similar to, but much smaller than a basement and is vented to the outside allowing air to circulate underneath the property. Though a crawl space cannot be used as a living space, it can be used as storage. Typically, crawl spaces are dark, damp, dusty, and home to different kinds of insects and rodents. Crawl spaces are also connected to the vital structures of a house which support the walls and floors, as well as housing electrical wiring and plumbing. A problem in the crawl space, if not addressed right away, can spread to the rest of the house as they are connected.
Water damage is the usual cause of problems in crawl spaces. A humid climate can create excessive moisture in a crawl space and can become a breeding ground for mildew and molds. If left untreated, it will affect the quality of the air you are breathing at home. It can also lead to insect infestation, rotting floors and beams, and an increase in energy bills. Guardian Foundation Repair offers first class repair service options for your crawl space. Furthermore, we offer a solution to help prevent crawl space damage by installing crawl space encapsulation.
Crawl Space Encapsulation in Knoxville TN – How Does It Work?
Encapsulation is used to reduce the moisture issues in your crawl space. It works by completely sealing your crawl space with a heavy-duty polyethylene barrier and tape. Once your space is completely sealed, you are required to install either a dehumidifier (the most commonly used appliance), air supply from an HVAC system, or a small exhaust fan. These are installed to regulate the moisture in the air and to maintain a healthy humidity level. Encapsulating should be an investment to all homeowners who have crawl spaces. The benefits of investing in this are:
Improves Indoor Air Quality – crawl space encapsulation prevents excessive moisture and dramatically reduces the possibility of mildew and molds growing, meaning the indoor air you breathe is better quality and less harmful to your health.
Protects Your Property – encapsulating your crawl space and preventing excessive moisture also prevents your wooden framing from rotting and your floors from buckling. It also acts as a barrier to keep insects and rodents away.
Reduces Energy Bills – by sealing your crawl space, it seals the air in your home and keeps it cold during the summer and warm during the winter. No need to amp up your air conditioner and heater. It can reduce your energy costs between 15% to 18% annually.
Sump Pumps
What Is a Sump Pump?
A sump pump is a small pump sunk into the ground of the basement or lowest level of the house. It is used to pump water up and out of the basement before it can cause damage to the home. The water is frequently directed to an area outside the home where it can be safely carried away, such as a storm drain, dry well or sewer system.
How Does It Work?
A Channel is dug around the perimeter of the home, just outside the edge of the basement. This channel is usually part of a full, basement waterproofing system and directs any water that may enter the building to the pit where the sump pump resides.
When water inside the dug pit reaches a pre-determined level, the pump automatically switches on, pumping the water out of the pit and sending it through a hose or pipe to the outdoors.
When You Need a Sump Pump
Not every home requires a sump pump, and digging the channel and pit needed to install one can be a pricey endeavor if you do not. For those who do need one, however, it can save you thousands in repairs.
History of Flooding
If water has found its way into your home once before, you can rest assured that it will find its way in again. Even if there was no prior history of flooding before the first flood, if water has managed to penetrate, you need a sump pump, preferably either near where the water entered, or with a channel near the entry site that directs to the sump pit.
High Water Table
If the water table outside your home is higher than the basement, then you may be at risk for future flooding, or for moisture problems in the basement. As part of your basement’s waterproofing, a sump pump can help to channel and direct any moisture that enters, sending it back out where it belongs.
Excessive Ground Water
If the ground around your home becomes waterlogged during storms, a sump pump can help drain away some of this excess water before it has a chance to do damage to your home’s foundation. Special channels can be dug that will help the pump eliminate this water.
