Foundation Repair Questions
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT FOUNDATION REPAIR
1. WHAT DOES RAM JACK DO?
Ram Jack dealers (throughout the US and in Canada, Costa Rica, and Panama) install steel piles, also called helical piers or helical piles, to support foundations. Ram Jack [link to About Us page] resolves foundation cracking and foundation failure issues by underpinning existing structures or prevents foundation settlement in new construction. Ram Jack dealers offer other foundation repair related services as well. Please contact us for more information or to ask about your specific situation.
2. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN BUSINESS?
Ram Jack has been in business for more than 40 years and has been at the forefront of developing steel pilings for foundations since the beginning. Our first patent was issued in 1985 and approximately 20 other patents have been, or are currently, owned by Ram Jack.
Ram Jack has spent 40 years developing and refining foundation repair solutions to ensure the best quality in the industry.
3. CAN I BUY RAM JACK PRODUCTS?
Ram Jack products can only be purchased and installed by trained Ram Jack dealers. Contact us for more information on how to receive assistance from a Ram Jack professional.
Homeowners may contact us by completing the form on the right side of this page. Professional engineers may receive detailed specifications on our Engineers page.
4. HOW DO I KNOW I HAVE A FOUNDATION PROBLEM?
You can review the causes and signs of foundation failure and foundation cracking through information and photos on the Ram Jack website, but the only way to know for sure is to have one of our trained specialists evaluate your house’s foundation. Even the smallest cracks in sheetrock could be a sign of larger troubles. If you don’t have a foundation problem, we will inform you. If you do, we will recommend a proper solution to your foundation failure.
5. HOW CAN I TELL IF I HAVE FOUNDATION PROBLEMS OR EVEN FOUNDATION FAILURE?
Evidence of foundation failure is seen in a variety of ways: stair step cracks in your brick are the most common and obvious symptom of foundation failure. You may see your chimney pulling away or leaning or you may even find cracks in the foundation itself. Inside your house, you may see cracks in your drywall, broken window panes, uneven floors, or doors that won’t open or shut properly. All of these signs indicate your house’s foundation has moved and your house is out of alignment through excessive or uneven foundation settlement. The value of your largest investment may now be in jeopardy, so it is wise to contact Ram Jack immediately.
6. WHAT HAPPENS IF I CALL RAM JACK?
Ram Jack will send a professional representative to examine the structural damage to your house or building, measure variances in the foundation, and determine the best solution for your specific unstable foundation situation.
7. WHAT KIND OF FOUNDATION REPAIR SOLUTIONS DOES RAM JACK HAVE?
For many situations, our technicians will install a Ram Jack steel-driven pile system. The key to this system is the powerful dual hydraulic cylinders which drive the pilings with up to 70,000 pounds of driving force. In order to withstand the extreme pressures of Ram Jack’s hydraulic pile driving system, only heavy gauge high-strength carbon steel is used along with a heavy wall independent guide sleeve. This unique foundation repair design rifles the piling into the soil without the bending or deflection usually associated with inferior systems. Each steel pile is driven deep into the soil until our technicians encounter a layer of bedrock or adequate load-bearing strata. The depth of each pile varies according to the underlying geological formations. Once all piles are securely set, the foundation is carefully lifted to an elevation of maximum practical recovery. This permanently halts any further deterioration due to settling of your house’s foundation.
Sometimes a customized remedy is required for a permanent solution. Ram Jack’s patented helical piles are the best solution for certain soil types and for interior applications. High torque from hydraulic gear reduction motors spin helix discs deep into the soil until technicians reach dependable load bearing strata. Ram Jack has developed sophisticated software to assist engineers in designing the appropriate helix configuration based upon soil strength and applied loads. Our engineering department is consulted every day by engineers all over North America for assistance in designing foundation solutions.
Helix piles also are excellent for new construction, especially when bad soil conditions are known to exist on the building site. Concrete foundations can be poured the same day, and each pile is independently tested during installation by monitoring the torsion resistance. The Ram Jack new construction helix installations are especially useful in environmentally sensitive areas such as wetlands, tundra, or rain forests. In other situations, Ram Jack tie backs with specialized brackets may be the appropriate solution for the problem. Whatever the need, Ram Jack has a foundation repair solution.
8. WHY ARE RAM JACK SOLUTIONS BETTER THAN OTHERS?
Ram Jack offers the best piling system in the industry. All Ram Jack steel is ordered to our specifications directly from U.S. mills. In order to maintain the highest quality product, Ram Jack utilizes state-of-the-art manufacturing processes. Computerized CNC units machine parts within a thousandth of an inch. Meanwhile, computerized plasma tables and robots cut and weld Ram Jack products to exact specifications.
Ram Jack products are coated with a highly durable thermal-set plastic coating, which ensures all products will stand the test of time and are environmentally friendly. After the materials are clean and dry, the plastic powder is electro-statically applied. Finally, the product is guided through a 40-foot high-temperature curing oven to permanently bond the coating to the product. For more than 40 years, the people of Ram Jack have dedicated themselves to providing a product and a service second to none to repair cracked foundations. Through extensive research and development, Ram Jack has engineered permanent solutions for a variety of foundation problems.
9. WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF I DON’T DO THE FOUNDATION REPAIR?
Over time, almost all foundation problems will get worse if they are not properly repaired. It’s up to the homeowner to decide whether or not to undergo the foundation repair. It’s our job to provide you with the most appropriate remedy for your foundation situation.
Don't do it twice. Do it right. Make an appointment with Ram Jack South Carolina to learn about specificcalling services we offer or start by (803) 398-5208.