Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Las Vegas NV Soil Stabilization

By Iva Cannon


Advance planning is important for the success of any construction project, of course. Still, many are faced with the need for remedial action after a building is finished. Structures depend on the foundation they rest on for stability, but the foundation itself must be on solid ground or designed for less than perfect conditions. We know buildings can be constructed to withstand earthquakes, but did you realize your own home might be showing signs of less dramatic shifting of the earth? Soil stabilization deals with pre-construction concerns and problems underneath standing structures.

Frost heaves are one sign of the constant swelling and contracting of the ground beneath our feet. The same process during warmer months may go unnoticed. However, we may notice cracks in the foundation or the basement walls of our home, erroneously blaming the contractor or the quality of building materials. The bigger and more expensive a building is, the more extensive the damage that ground changes can cause.

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 soils are noted for their tendency to swell when wet; this is evident to all who have seen their garden surfaces harden and crack when wet clay dries out. Scientists know which minerals in the clay absorb moisture readily and can judge the potential for disaster by an analysis. It is especially important to get an expert opinion on soil composition before construction starts when the project is huge, like a Las Vegas NV resort or a mega mansion.

If the analysis reveals clay that is prone to swelling when wet and shrinking when dry, the ground should be stabilized. There are many ways to do this, including incorporating lime into the ground or sinking pier foundation deep into underlying bedrock to keep structures from shifting when the ground changes. The existing earth can also be evacuated and replaced by more stable material. The results of lime incorporation are not always permanent, and pier foundations or excavation are costly and time consuming. There are also environmental concerns.

New scientific technology addresses the problem of instability at the molecular level. Using environmentally-friendly chemicals, the actual composition of the ground is altered, leaving it stronger, more solid, and thus more stable. This is a fast and permanent solution to a very common problem. It also makes it possible to use a slab foundation, known to be the most affordable way to build.

If a structure is already in place, this technique is more practical than other remedial efforts, and it can be a permanent fix that prevents further damage. Since steps must be taken or the whole structure may be damaged beyond repair, finding this sort of affordable, fast solution will save both time and money.

There are companies Las Vegas way that offer free inspections and counseling for property owners hoping to avoid future problems or address existing ones. Find an interactive website and get the modern and effective help you need.




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