Commercial Foundation Repair

Commercial Foundation Repair

When you own a commercial property—an office, warehouse, restaurant, hotel, store, or other commercial space—foundation issues can put a halt to your business and cost you a lot of money. Cracks in your foundation, floors, and walls, uneven floors and doors and windows that stick are sure signs of foundation issues that need to be repaired before they end up impacting your business.

Maddox can help.

We understand the foundation issues that can affect your commercial property and will keep you on solid ground. Our team of experienced foundation repair experts will evaluate your property and provide lasting solutions that will strengthen, stabilize, and secure your foundation with minimal disruption to your business.

We use top-of-the-line steel piers to provide effective, permanent repairs that will last a lifetime.

Causes of Foundation Issues

Commercial building foundations must be able to safely support thousands of tons. When the soil under the structure deteriorates, your foundation becomes unstable and the structure of your building will begin to deteriorate or, worse case scenario, may not be able to support the weight of the building.

The most common causes of commercial foundation damage are soil and water. When water pools, the soil beneath your commercial building becomes oversaturated or shifts. This causes the foundation to settle unevenly and stresses the structure. 

Issues with water and soil can result from improper grading and drainage on the property, the presence of expansive soils (soils that expand greatly when they get wet and then shrink when they dry), or water damage from heavy rains/flooding, leaks, and poor landscaping.

Signs That You Have Problem

When it comes to foundation issues, a commercial property shows the same types of “signs’ as a home. The key is to recognize the signs of deterioration and act quickly to prevent further damage. The longer the damage is allowed to progress, the worse it becomes, and the more expensive it is to repair.

There are several tell-tale signs that you have foundation issues, including:

  • Cracks in the visible areas of the foundation
  • Cracks in walls/drywall (exterior and interior)
  • Nail pops
  • Uneven floors, cracked floors, sagging floors
  • Bowing or cracking basement walls
  • Collapsing retaining walls 
  • Sticking doors and windows (difficult to open)
  • Gaps in floors, walls, and windows

The Fix

Fortunately, foundation issues can be repaired. The sooner you identify the root cause of the issue and take action, the less time and money it will take to fix the problem.  At Maddox, we use steel helical and push piers that can withstand the weight of your commercial building and the wear and tear caused by natural elements like water to level your commercial foundation. The type of pier used depends on the issue and the type of soil surrounding your building.
  • Helical piers, which look like giant screws, work best for stabilizing lighter foundations and preventing additional settlement. The plates at the top of the helical piers attach under the footer of the building’s foundation, transferring the weight of the building to the pier to stabilize it. 
  • Push piers are used to brace heavier foundations and those based in dense soil (such as clay) which will not accommodate helical piers. Push piers, which are also used to transfer the weight of the building to the pier to stabilize it, are driven into the ground with a hydraulic ram.

The Process: How It Works

Once piers are installed properly, the load of the building is transferred to the piers, relieving the stress on the structure. Then, once the building is stabilized, the structure is raised to its original height.

1. We dig deep holes to expose the building’s foundation and place steel brackets under the footing.
2. We drive the piers—helical or push piers, depending on the building and soil conditions—into the ground. The depth depends on the soil. The goal is to reach the optimal level at which the soil can bear the load.
3. We use hydraulic jacks to transfer the weight of the structure to the piers and level the foundation.

Once the foundation is level, cosmetic repairs can be made to cracks.

Results that shine

Our comprehensive range of services encompasses commercial and residential general contracting for both new constructions and existing buildings.
Our expertise shines in consistently delivering exceptional results.

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