The homeowner noticed their front steps were sinking and uneven, creating safety concerns and diminishing the property’s curb appeal. Over time, the soil beneath the steps had shifted, causing the bricks to settle unevenly. This problem posed not only a tripping hazard but also the risk of further structural damage if left unaddressed.
Our Solution: Polyurethane Foam Injection
Our team at Top Level Ohio used polyurethane leveling to resolve the issue efficiently and effectively. This modern, minimally invasive method allowed us to lift the sunken steps back into place without the need for costly demolition or reconstruction.
Step-by-Step Process:
Assessment and Preparation: We started by assessing the severity of the settlement and identified the points of injection for the polyurethane foam.
Foam Injection: Using specialized equipment, we injected high-density polyurethane foam under the sinking steps. The foam expanded beneath the slab, filling voids and lifting the bricks back to their original position.
Leveling and Finishing Touches: Once the steps were perfectly level, we sealed the injection points and ensured the surrounding areas were cleaned and restored.
The Result: Safe and Stable Steps
In just a few hours, we restored the front steps to a safe, level condition. The homeowner was thrilled with the results, especially with the quick turnaround and minimal disruption to their daily life.
Benefits of Polyurethane Leveling:
Cost-Effective: A fraction of the cost compared to replacing the steps.
Durable: Provides long-lasting support and stability.
Eco-Friendly: Reduces waste by preserving existing materials.
Minimal Downtime: Steps were ready to use the same day.
Before and After Photos
If you’re experiencing similar issues, Top Level Ohio is here to help! Contact us today for a free consultation and estimate at 614-305-1050.
As temperatures begin to dip in Columbus, Ohio, it’s time to think about winter home preparations. One of the most crucial steps Columbus homeowners can take is waterproofing their properties. Winter brings with it not only snow and ice but also melting cycles that can threaten your foundation and basement. With waterproofing, you protect your investment, maintain structural integrity, and avoid costly repairs.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore why waterproofing is essential, the risks of water damage, and the best ways to prepare your home for winter. Let’s dive into the details to ensure your Columbus home stays dry, safe, and well-prepared for the cold months.
1. Why Waterproofing Matters for Columbus Homeowners in Winter
Waterproofing isn’t just for areas prone to hurricanes or heavy rain; even in winter, Columbus homes face threats from water. When snow and ice accumulate around your property and begin to melt, water seeps into the ground, which can cause major issues if your basement or foundation isn’t adequately waterproofed.
Waterproofing is crucial for the following reasons:
Prevents Foundation Damage: Water that penetrates your foundation can lead to cracks, weakening the structural integrity of your home.
Reduces Mold and Mildew: Moisture buildup creates the perfect environment for mold growth, which can lead to respiratory issues and allergy problems.
Saves Money on Repairs:Waterproofing is a proactive approach that helps you avoid costly repairs related to water damage.
Taking time to waterproof before winter hits will save you from stress and financial burdens later.
2. Identifying Vulnerable Areas in Your Columbus Home
To ensure effective waterproofing, you need to understand where water is most likely to enter. Some vulnerable areas include:
Basement Walls: Concrete is porous, allowing water to seep through cracks or gaps. Basements in Columbus are particularly vulnerable since groundwater levels can rise after winter snow melts.
Foundation Slabs: Your home’s foundation can be exposed to moisture due to soil expansion and contraction during freezing and thawing cycles.
Crawl Spaces: Unsealed crawl spaces can lead to humidity and mold, especially in the winter when air circulation is lower.
By pinpointing these weak spots, you can develop a tailored waterproofing plan that addresses specific risks your home may face.
3. Types of Waterproofing Solutions
Waterproofing is a multi-layered process that involves several types of solutions to fully protect your home. Here are the most effective waterproofing techniques to consider:
Exterior Waterproofing: We begin by sealing the outer foundation walls using foam injection through a durable stainless-steel pipe. This method provides a strong barrier against water infiltration, ensuring long-term protection from exterior water damage.
Interior Crack Sealing: For enhanced waterproofing, we then move inside to seal any cracks with foam injection and epoxy. This dual-layer approach effectively reinforces the interior against leaks, providing an affordable yet robust solution.
French Drains: French drains consist of a trench filled with gravel or rock and a perforated pipe that diverts surface water away from the foundation. This technique is particularly useful in Columbus, where melting snow can lead to soil saturation.
Sump Pumps: A sump pump is installed to collect and pump water away from the foundation, ideal for areas with high groundwater levels. This system efficiently manages water accumulation, reducing the risk of basement flooding.
Combining these methods can create a robust defense system that keeps your home dry and secure.
4. The Cost of Not Waterproofing: Risks and Consequences
Ignoring waterproofing can lead to serious consequences that far outweigh the investment in preventive measures. Here are the top risks homeowners face if they skip waterproofing:
Foundation Cracks and Shifting: Freezing and thawing cycles cause soil to expand and contract, leading to foundation cracks. This can compromise the safety of your home.
Increased Energy Bills: Water buildup and cracks can lead to drafts and poor insulation, forcing your heating system to work harder and driving up energy costs.
Pest Infestations: Moisture in basements and crawl spaces attracts pests like rodents and insects, which can cause further damage to your home.
Lower Property Value: Homes with water damage or foundation issues can lose value, making them harder to sell and lowering the resale price.
Waterproofing is not just a seasonal investment; it’s a long-term commitment to your home’s safety and value.
5. Winter Waterproofing Tips for Columbus Homeowners
To help Columbus homeowners prepare for winter, here are practical waterproofing tips:
Clear Out Gutters and Downspouts: Remove leaves and debris from gutters to ensure proper drainage. Clogged gutters can cause water to overflow, leading to foundation damage.
Inspect Foundation and Basement Walls: Look for cracks or gaps and seal them with waterproof caulking or epoxy. Even small cracks can become larger and allow water to seep in.
Maintain Proper Grading Around Your Home: Make sure the ground slopes away from your home’s foundation. Proper grading can help direct melting snow away from your home.
Add Insulation to Pipes and Basement Walls: Insulating your pipes and basement walls not only prevents freezing but also helps reduce moisture levels.
Install Window Well Covers: If your basement has windows, make sure they’re protected with covers that prevent snow and water from seeping in.
By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to keeping your Columbus home dry and secure this winter.
6. Choosing the Right Waterproofing Professional in Columbus
Waterproofing is a complex task, and hiring a professional ensures the job is done right. Here’s how to choose a reliable waterproofing expert in Columbus:
Check Credentials: Look for a licensed and insured contractor to ensure quality work and peace of mind.
Ask for References: A reputable waterproofing company should have a list of satisfied customers who can vouch for their work.
Discuss Options and Pricing: Request a detailed quote and ask about the types of waterproofing solutions they recommend for your specific needs.
For Columbus homeowners seeking trusted waterproofing services, call 614-305-1050 today for expert advice and solutions tailored to protect your home during winter.
7. Take Action Now: Protect Your Home This Winter
Winter in Columbus can be tough, but with proactive waterproofing, you can protect your property from the dangers of water damage. Waterproofing offers peace of mind, preserves your home’s value, and shields you from expensive repairs.
Ready to get started? Call 614-305-1050today to schedule a consultation and ensure your Columbus home is winter-ready. Don’t wait until it’s too late—prepare now for a safe, dry, and secure winter season.
The Engineering of Concrete Leveling: A Professional Approach
Concrete leveling may appear as a simple task of lifting a sunken slab to level it with adjacent slabs. However, achieving optimal results requires precise knowledge of where and how much to inject.
Precision in Concrete Lifting Engineering
To ensure efficiency in the concrete leveling process, thorough engineering analysis is essential. As illustrated in the attached sketch #1,
a settled slab in one corner can cause a rise in the opposite diagonal corner. Carefully injecting foam into the corner through a slow, controlled process can push the opposite corner down, resembling a see-saw movement.
Expertise and Experience in Concrete Lifting Engineering
Concrete leveling and lifting demand extensive experience and detailed engineering analysis. With each project we undertake, we gain valuable experience, enhancing our efficiency. Understanding the movement of foam through the proportional machine at specific temperatures and pressures, and through the hose into the injection gun, is crucial for accurate lifting and leveling.
Foam Injection Process
The foam travels in liquid form and begins to mix right before entering the ground, starting to harden as it fills gaps and soft soil, lifting the slabs above it. The number of strokes and their timing are critical to the leveling process. Once the foam hardens underground, it remains stable for years.
Commitment to Quality in Concrete Lifting Engineering
At Top Level Concrete, we provide a lifetime warranty because we use the highest quality foam material (NCFI) and personally supervise each project. We thrive on challenges, sometimes employing mechanical jacks alongside foam injection to control the direction and amount of uplift.
Efficiency and Savings
Each challenging project enhances our expertise and efficiency, translating to cost savings for our customers. We believe in delivering the best results through professional engineering and meticulous execution.
Summary:
At Top Level Concrete, we specialize in the precise and efficient leveling of concrete slabs through advanced concrete engineering techniques. Our expert team conducts thorough engineering analysis to ensure optimal results, carefully injecting high-quality NCFI foam to stabilize and lift sunken slabs. With extensive experience and a commitment to quality, we provide lifetime warranties on our work, guaranteeing long-lasting stability. Our innovative approach and dedication to excellence in concrete engineering translate to significant cost savings for our customers.
Sidewalk Safety: Addressing Trip Hazards in Columbus
In Columbus, Sidewalk serve as vital pathways for daily commutes, leisurely strolls, and recreational activities, supporting the mobility and well-being of residents across neighborhoods and commercial districts. However, over time, these essential walkways can succumb to unevenness and hazards due to various factors, posing risks to pedestrians. This article delves into the significance of maintaining level Sidewalk Leveling, explores common causes of settlement, and highlights effective solutions offered by our company to address these challenges.
As responsible citizens and municipalities, ensuring the safety of these walkways is paramount.
Importance of Maintaining Level Sidewalks
Sidewalks are integral to pedestrian safety, facilitating safe passage for children biking to school, individuals enjoying morning jogs, or parents pushing strollers. Ensuring the evenness of sidewalks is not just a matter of convenience but a fundamental responsibility to safeguard the well-being of our community members.
Challenges with Tree Plantings
One prevalent issue contributing to uneven sidewalks in Columbus is the growth of trees lining these walkways. While trees lining the walkways enhance aesthetics and provide shade during scorching summers, they also present challenges. The roots of these trees, when grow and start to push the walkway slabs up, can uplift sidewalk slabs, creating hazardous trip points for pedestrians.
Consequently, it falls upon residents and local authorities to address these issues promptly.
City Response and Resident Responsibilities
Often, residents encountering such hazards near their residences notify the city for resolution. Regrettably, due to a substantial backlog of complaints, resolution timelines can extend up to a year or more. Faced with this delay, residents may opt to address the issue themselves to mitigate the risk of accidents.
And yet, if a pedestrian trips over a hazard and gets injured, they have the right to hold the resident of the house responsible for the hazardous condition liable and may sue them.
Legal Implications and Financial Considerations
In the unfortunate event of a pedestrian being injured due to trip hazards, legal recourse may lead to liability claims against homeowners. Addressing such hazards typically entails significant costs, with estimates ranging from $1000 to $1200, as many service providers are reluctant to undertake small-scale repairs.
Our Expert Solutions
Our company specializes in advanced sidewalk leveling techniques, including polyurethane foam injection and slab jacking, designed to rectify unevenness and trip hazards efficiently. Poly foam injection involves raising the affected slab to eliminate trip hazards, with costs ranging from $175 to $250 depending on the severity of the issue. This solution not only addresses the immediate problem but also ensures compliance with ADA codes
Compliance with ADA Standards
Adherence to ADA standards is imperative in addressing sidewalk irregularities. Specifications include maintaining a 1/4″ or less differential between adjacent slabs, ensuring a slope of 5% or less along the walking direction, and a wider slope of 2% or less.
To meet these standards, in addition to foam lifting, some adjustments to the edges or sides may be necessary.
Continuous Maintenance
The challenge of uneven sidewalks persists as trees continue to grow, necessitating ongoing maintenance efforts to mitigate settlement issues. Regular inspections and timely interventions are essential to prevent accidents and uphold the integrity of our city’s walkways.
Collective Responsibility
Addressing trip hazards in our city’s walkways is not solely the duty of municipalities but also the responsibility of every resident. Proactive measures are essential to prevent accidents, particularly among vulnerable members of our community, such as the elderly.
We ,at Top Level just finished a pilot project fir the city of Dublin, Oh . It was 50 cases of unleveled , trip hazard . We had to go by the ADA code . The project was a successful cooperation to provide a safe sidwalks for the our city walkways
Attach some pictures of before and after.
Before
After
Sidewalk Leveling Location Points
Conclusion
In conclusion, ensuring the safety and accessibility of our city’s sidewalks demand collaborative efforts and proactive measures from both residents and local authorities. Prioritizing the maintenance of level sidewalks is paramount to fostering pedestrian safety and accessibility in Columbus. Through our specialized solutions and community-driven initiatives, we are committed to enhancing the walkability of our neighborhoods and promoting the well-being of all residents.
Columbus, Ohio, presents distinct challenges for basement waterproofing due to its climate and geological characteristics. The prevalence of clay soil, which absorbs water readily, coupled with heavy rains and floods, exacerbates moisture intrusion issues. As a result, homeowners often encounter problems such as foundation cracks and mold growth, posing both structural and health concerns.
Recognizing Early Signs of Moisture Intrusion
Dampness, musty odors, and visible mold growth are telltale signs of moisture intrusion in basements. Left unchecked, these issues can lead to costly damage and health risks for occupants. Prompt identification and action are essential to mitigate the impact of moisture on the home.
Importance of Prompt Action
Addressing moisture issues promptly is crucial to prevent further damage and health hazards. Proactive measures can help preserve the structural integrity of the home while ensuring a healthy living environment for residents. Waiting too long to address moisture problems can result in more extensive and costly repairs down the line.
Exploring Innovative Waterproofing Solutions
Foam injection against the exterior foundation wall has emerged as a practical and efficient solution for basement waterproofing in Columbus. Unlike traditional methods that require interior trenching and sump pumps, foam injection creates a sealed barrier that prevents water penetration from the outside. This approach is not only effective but also minimally invasive, reducing disruption to the home.
Collaborative Expertise for Effective Solutions
Top Level, in collaboration with NCFi, offers comprehensive basement waterproofing solutions in Columbus. Our team of engineers and technical experts conducts free inspections to assess the extent of moisture intrusion and recommend tailored solutions. By leveraging advanced techniques like foam injection, we ensure long-lasting protection for your home against water damage and mold growth.
Taking Proactive Measures for Long-Term Protection
Homeowners can take proactive measures to safeguard their basements against moisture intrusion. Regular maintenance, such as cleaning gutters and ensuring proper grading around the foundation, can help prevent water from seeping into the basement. Additionally, scheduling professional inspections at the first signs of moisture can identify issues early and prevent costly repairs.
Don’t Wait – Act Now for Peace of Mind
If you notice any signs of a wet or humid basement, don’t hesitate to contact Top Level for assistance. Our team is dedicated to providing efficient solutions tailored to your home’s needs, ensuring peace of mind for you and your family. With timely intervention and proactive measures, you can maintain a dry and healthy basement environment in Columbus, Ohio.
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Discover what our clients are saying about our innovative
For top-level concrete leveling and more, trust our expertise. Call us at614-305-1050for a free consultation, analysis, and estimate. Invest in the longevity of your home with our efficient and affordable waterproofing solutions.
Hey there! We recently took on a project that truly showcases our commitment to improvement. A customer initially asked us to fix up his porch step and then threw in a challenge – could we work our magic on his concrete driveway too? Well, challenge accepted!
After thorough research and consultations, we developed a meticulous plan to breathe new life into the driveway. Our process kicked off with a potent 3000 psi pressure wash, ensuring a pristine surface free from debris or contaminants. Patiently awaiting the driveway to dry set the stage for the crucial next steps.
We then applied two coats of high-quality commercial-grade Armor seal, selected after careful consideration of the most suitable sealant material. The outcome was impressive, providing the 1000 square feet concrete driveway with a fresh, revitalized appearance.
And there you have it – the driveway looked fantastic!
Beyond the cool appearance, the sealing magic serves as a shield, protecting the concrete from adverse weather conditions. Think of it as a reliable raincoat for your driveway, keeping it safe and happy.
For the grand reveal, check out the before-and-after picture. Witness the remarkable transformation from how the driveway looked before we got to work to its current awesome state.
At TopLevel, our mission is to ensure our customers are thrilled. We’re committed to doing our best and ensuring your home looks fantastic. If you want your driveway to be the talk of the block, give us a shout! We’re ready to turn your vision into reality and make your home shine brighter than ever!
The most expensive purchase you’ll ever make is your house. That’s why it pays to protect it. If you believe that something about your foundation isn’t safe then here are the signs that can help you identify the common foundation problems in housing across the United States.
Foundation Cracks and Floor Cracks
If you notice any foundation cracks or floor cracks around the house or on the brick exterior of your house, it could most definitely indicate that you have at least one sign of a foundation problem.
Foundation Gaps
If you notice any wall gaps around your house, as well as gaps on the floor around the house. They may even become aware that ceilings no longer latch. This is a sign of a problem that could be affecting the foundation.
Foundation Settling Or Sinking
You may find over time that one side of your house is lower than the other, or you may observe that your building’s core is sinking. If so, your foundation needs to be lifted.
If your house appears to be sinking or having settlement issues, we’re there to help.
Foundation Upheaval
If a slab base has moved in an upward direction, then foundation upheaval occurred. This is one of the issues that may suggest that the reverse of “foundation settling” is faced by your structure. Generally, heaving affects the perimeter area of a concrete slab floor, but it can affect the interior of your house such as doorways and hallways.
If you find out that your foundation needs to be fixed, our job is to restore it as close to its original level position as possible and make it upright again using a polyurethane. Our process is smart, efficient, and could be done in a timely manner.
