Any construction project involves a certain amount of advance planning, and many require remedial action long after the initial building process is done. Structures are only as strong as the foundation beneath them, and that foundation must rest on solid ground or take instability into account. Although many of us know that a building can be constructed to withstand earthquake tremors, fewer know that our own homes may be showing signs of shifting caused by less dramatic forces. Pre-construction soil stabilization is something to consider.
Most of us are unaware that the ground beneath our feet is continually expanding and contracting because of wet or dry weather. This natural swelling and subsidence of the ground may cause problems that go unnoticed, especially to the buildings we live or work in. The bigger the building, the greater the potential for expensive damage.
Soils are made up of minerals combined with organic matter, like decomposing wood or vegetation. Some minerals absorb water readily and release it just as fast, making the earth swell when wet and shrink when dry. This continued expansion and contraction causes stress to structural parts of a building. If the stress is greater than the building materials can stand, cracks will develop as an early warning sign of problems.
Clay is known as the greatest culprit in this natural process. Clays are all different, and some are known to be especially prone to swelling. You can find geological maps that show which areas are underlain with dangerous clay soils. Even in areas of less concern, a pre-construction analysis is important. This is especially true if the project is huge, like a Las Vegas NV casino or an millionaire's mansion.
The ground should be stabilized if the analysis shows a great concentration of minerals that hold and release moisture readily. Traditional ways to do this include excavation, when the earth is removed and more stable materials used to replace it. Pier foundations can also be sunk into underlying bedrock, to keep the structure from shifting as the ground does. Another method is to mix lime into the soil, which helps to control swelling.
There is a scientific way to address the problem of swelling at the molecular level. This causes a fundamental change to the soil. Using environmentally-friendly chemicals, experts can tailor the fix to the exact nature of the problem and achieve permanent results in a faster, more affordable way. For instance, construction can be done on a slab, rather than on pier foundations - if the ground is stable.
This method is perfect for solving problems under existing structures, as well. When a structure is showing evidence of shifting or subsidence, steps must be taken or the whole building may be irreparably damaged. Chemical treatment will improve soil compaction and strength, making swelling a thing of the past.
Find a company Las Vegas way that offers free site inspections and estimates. Prevent costly damage in future or take immediate steps to prevent further problems down the road. After all, even in the desert it's bound to rain sometime.
Most of us are unaware that the ground beneath our feet is continually expanding and contracting because of wet or dry weather. This natural swelling and subsidence of the ground may cause problems that go unnoticed, especially to the buildings we live or work in. The bigger the building, the greater the potential for expensive damage.
Soils are made up of minerals combined with organic matter, like decomposing wood or vegetation. Some minerals absorb water readily and release it just as fast, making the earth swell when wet and shrink when dry. This continued expansion and contraction causes stress to structural parts of a building. If the stress is greater than the building materials can stand, cracks will develop as an early warning sign of problems.
Clay is known as the greatest culprit in this natural process. Clays are all different, and some are known to be especially prone to swelling. You can find geological maps that show which areas are underlain with dangerous clay soils. Even in areas of less concern, a pre-construction analysis is important. This is especially true if the project is huge, like a Las Vegas NV casino or an millionaire's mansion.
The ground should be stabilized if the analysis shows a great concentration of minerals that hold and release moisture readily. Traditional ways to do this include excavation, when the earth is removed and more stable materials used to replace it. Pier foundations can also be sunk into underlying bedrock, to keep the structure from shifting as the ground does. Another method is to mix lime into the soil, which helps to control swelling.
There is a scientific way to address the problem of swelling at the molecular level. This causes a fundamental change to the soil. Using environmentally-friendly chemicals, experts can tailor the fix to the exact nature of the problem and achieve permanent results in a faster, more affordable way. For instance, construction can be done on a slab, rather than on pier foundations - if the ground is stable.
This method is perfect for solving problems under existing structures, as well. When a structure is showing evidence of shifting or subsidence, steps must be taken or the whole building may be irreparably damaged. Chemical treatment will improve soil compaction and strength, making swelling a thing of the past.
Find a company Las Vegas way that offers free site inspections and estimates. Prevent costly damage in future or take immediate steps to prevent further problems down the road. After all, even in the desert it's bound to rain sometime.
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