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17
Aug
0

Karst Topography: the Good, the Bad and the Beautiful

By Reporting | Filed in Updates

The term karst describes a distinctive topography where the dissolution (or chemical solution) of underlying soluble rocks by ground water has occurred.  Although commonly associated with carbonate rocks like limestone and dolomite, other highly soluble rocks such as can be sculpted into karst terrain.  About 15% of the surface of the United States (and 10% of the earth’s land) consists of soluble limestone, which can be easily dissolved by the weak solution of carbonic acid found in underground water.

As rain falls through the atmosphere, it picks up carbon dioxide and forms carbonic acid. Carbonic acid seeps into the bedrock and creates slow-moving groundwater.  The combination of carbonic acid and groundwater erodes the landscape and creates karst topography.  The underground water of karst topography carves impressive channels and caves that are susceptible to collapse from the surface. When enough limestone is eroded from underground, a sinkhole may develop.  This geological process of erosion can take thousands of years to form karst topography.

Sinkholes can range in size from a few feet to over 300 feet deep.  They’ve been known to “swallow” cars, homes, businesses, and other structures. Sinkholes are especially common in Florida where they’re often caused by the loss of groundwater from things such as pumping.

Karst topography is also responsible for some of the most stunning sites on Earth: karst caves.  Inside karst caves, it is easy to find a wide range of structures created by the deposition of slowly dripping calcium carbonate solutions.  Dripstones provide the point where slowly dripping water turns into stalactites. Those are structures which hang from the ceilings of cave.  Over thousands of years, the slowly dripping water will form stalagmites.  Those are structures which rise up from the floors of caves.  Tourists from all over the world flock to caverns to view beautiful displays of stalactites and stalagmites. In fact, the world’s longest cave system – the 350 mile long Mammoth Cave system of Kentucky – was formed by karst topography.

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10
Aug
0

The Mudjacking Method of Foundation Repair

By Reporting | Filed in Updates

Mudjacking is the process of pumping a water, dirt and cement mixture under a concrete slab foundation in order to lift it and stabilize it.  The mixture itself is called slurry.  The exact ingredients used to make slurry vary from company to company and from job to job.  Mudjacking is a commonly used solution used to fix many homeowner concrete problems, including:

 

1. foundation settling

2. crumbling curbs

3. falling sidewalks

 

It is common for concrete can sink or settle.  There are several reasons for this.  Among the more common reasons are:

 

1. dirt not properly compacted before original concrete installed

2. soil erosion

3. the earth’s natural settlement over time

 

Once the concrete starts to tilt or sink it can cause walking hazards, unwanted water runoff or major foundation issues.

 

The entire mudjacking process is simple.  First, small holes are drilled into the concrete slab that is to be lifted.  The slurry mixture is then pumped into these holes under pressure, filling any gaps under the slab.  When the gaps are filled, the slurry becomes pressurized and raises the slab hydraulically to the desired height.  Finally, the originally drilled holes are then filled with a concrete mixture.

 

Although not a particularly complicated process, mudjacking is something not to be attempted by amateurs.  To avoid doing greater damage, only experienced professionals should perform this procedure.  Amateur attempts at mudjacking can easily result in irreparable cement damage – costing more to repair than the original damage.

 

Mudjacking is a cost efficient alternative to replacing concrete.  Ripping out old concrete and laying new concrete, requires more equipment and more workers than mudjacking does.  Replacement costs can be nearly twice the cost of a mudjacking repair.  Not only is mudjacking cheaper, it is quicker.  Concrete pours can take several days to set fully, while concrete that’s been mudjacked can be ready within hours.  And with mudjacking there’s no need to disturb adjacent landscaping.

 

When the mudjacking job is complete, both the concrete slab and the soil beneath it will be much more structurally sound.

 

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5
Aug
0

Even a small sinkhole can indicate a bigger, more serious problem

By Reporting | Filed in Updates

Sinkholes and sinkhole damage to houses and commercial properties are a regular occurrence throughout Florida.  Hiring a reputable, dependable company to deal with residential sinkhole repairs or commercial sinkhole repairs is important.

Sinkhole and foundation repair services are needed regularly as sinkholes are something that pop-up in all areas in our beautiful state.  Ignoring sinkhole issues can result in bigger problems later.  Even a small sinkhole on your property can indicate a bigger problem that can damage your house or other structures on your property.  In Florida, it is always wise to hire a local sinkhole and foundation repair company at the first sign of a problem. Selecting a locally company ensures that you will get experienced people who are familiar with Florida’s unique ground conditions and weather conditions.

In Florida, there are two main processes involved in sinkholes repairs.  They are:

1. Grouting

2. Underpinning

Grouting involves pumping material inside the ground beneath the building or property foundation.  It can be done in one of three ways: pressure grouting, chemical grouting or deep compaction, depending on what type of sinkhole you have.

Underpinning repairs for concrete repairs and sinkholes in Florida can involve the use of pre-construction piers, injection piers, steel piers, or helical piers.  (Although helical piers are more commonly found in foundation repair situations.)

Here are some common symptoms that might indicate you have a sinkhole issue on your property:

•Formation of cracks in walls

•Doors and windows opening and closing poorly

•Popping up nails

•Cracks in floors, shower tiles, etc.

Selection of an appropriately registered, licensed, insured, bonded sinkhole repair company such as RAB Foundation and Sinkhole Repair is essential to make sure that your property is safe.  As one of the top sinkhole repair companies in Florida, RAB offers a wide range of beneficial and professional services to Florida homeowners and commercial property owners.

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26
Jul
0

Foundation problems are a real problem for Florida homeowners.

By Reporting | Filed in Updates

It is common for a foundation in Florida to shift and sink. This can lead to a host of major issues throughout a home. These problems are usually the result of poor construction and/or poor soil conditions.  The good news is that foundation problems can be fixed.  It’s a matter of understanding the problem and understanding what it takes to fix the problem.

First, don’t ignore the problem! This is often one of the biggest mistakes homeowners make. Time can be critical when it comes to foundation repair.  The longer you ignore the problem the more damage you’ll have to your home and the more it will cost more to fix the problem.  So, at the first sign of foundation problems, you need to take action – sooner rather than later.

Foundation problems usually happen over time; and as time goes by the problem can only get worse.  Your home’s foundation is the support system for your entire home, providing your home with a smooth, even and flat surface upon which to sit. Foundations usually fail when the soil underneath the foundation starts to change and move.   

In the end this can mean that you’ll have more damage to your home and it will cost more to fix the problem.  So, at the first sign of foundation problems, you need to take action – sooner rather than later.

Your foundation can change and move along with the soil.  Your home will do the same.  This can lead to problems with the structural areas within your home such as:

  • Walls may crack.
  • Separations may develop between walls and the floor or ceiling.
  • Floors may become uneven.
  • Widows and doors may become difficult to open and close.

These are all signs of potential foundation failure.  And if not properly repaired, foundation problems will keep causing structural issues within your home. In severe cases, the foundation can completely fail and your home can collapse.  As you can see, foundation problems simply can’t be ignored. 

One of the biggest mistakes people can make is to try to fix foundation problems themselves.  Many products on the market advertise that they can fix foundation problems.  But these products are mainly a cosmetic fix and will not fix the main issue. 

You need professional foundation repair.  Professional foundation repair means you will get the problems fixed for good.  A good experienced company, such as RAB Foundation Repair, will not only fix your foundation issues but they will give you peace of mind that there will be no future issues.  After you’ve had your foundation professionally repaired, you can go ahead and make all those cosmetic fixes.

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6
Jul
0

All Sinkholes Are Not Created Equal

By Reporting | Filed in Updates

Sinkholes are a commonly occurring geologic phenomenon just about everywhere.   Florida is especially prone to sinkholes.  Sinkholes are depressions or holes in the land surface.  They can be shallow or deep, small or large.  However in Florida, sinkholes are virtually all a result of the dissolving limestone.

There are several basic types of naturally-occurring sinkholes.  They are:

Dissolution sinkholes

Dissolution sinkholes form where sediment cover is either thin or absent above the carbonates, a condition that occurs along much of Florida’s Gulf Coast – from just north of Tampa Bay through the Big Bend area.

Dissolution of the limestone can be intensive where the water first contacts the rock surface.  Aggressive dissolution can also occurs where water flow is focused in pre-existing openings in the rock, such as along joints, fractures, and bedding planes, and in the zone of water-table fluctuation where ground water is in contact with the atmosphere.

Cover-subsidence sinkholes

Cover-subsidence sinkholes tend to develop gradually where the covering sediments are permeable and contain sand.  In areas where cover material is thicker or sediments contain more clay, cover-subsidence sinkholes are uncommon, are smaller, and may go undetected for long periods of time.

Cover-subsidence sinkholes develop slowly where the overlying soil and rock are thin.  The water seeps through the overlying soil to the limestone beneath.  The water moves slowly down through the limestone, dissolving the limestone as it moves further down, and taking with some dissolved carbonates and some of the overlying soils.

The result is typically a bowl-shaped sinkhole, often called a doline.  Water often fills this type of sinkhole, creating ponds or lakes.  In fact, most of Florida’s lakes are formed by this sinkhole activity.

Cover-collapse sinkholes

Cover-collapse sinkholes can develop abruptly – over a period of hours – and cause catastrophic damage.  Cover-collapse sinkholes occur where the covering sediments contain a significant amount of clay.  Over time, the surface drainage, erosion, and deposition form the sinkhole into a shallower bowl-shaped depression.

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