How to organize a commercial kitchen

How to organize a commercial kitchen

Any commercial kitchen should be simple, efficient and easy to manage with flexibility. Good organization is one of the key foundations for any commercial kitchen to run smoothly and make your profits go up. After you have purchased your kitchen equipment - your first...

The commercial kitchen safety checklist

The commercial kitchen safety checklist

Cooking is fun and dangerous. There are so many Final Destination-like scenarios that can go down in a kitchen. That’s why it is important that you, whether you are a restaurant manager or owner, prevent any potential hazards from occurring. Here is the ultimate...

foundation unleved floor repair

Why is my foundation unleveled?

An uneven foundation can be hard to spot at first. Common tell-tale signs include cracks in floors and walls and doors or windows that stop closing properly. In order to stop structural damage, it is necessary to conduct foundation repairs as soon as possible to avoid foundation failure.

The source of this problem is the soil beneath the foundation. Sub-grade preparation is critical; before pouring the concrete foundation, the ground must be level, smooth, compact, free of frost and have proper drainage in order to avoid concrete cracking.

In order to do this, a rigorous soil compaction process must be done. Loose soil becomes very aerated and its density is reduced, therefore prone to movement and changes. Compacting the soil before starting to build reduces the chances of voids that make the foundation uneven.

Other factors must be taken into consideration before a project starts:

  • Tree roots and vegetation: these are capable of drawing moisture that decreases the soil volume, or can even lift the concrete foundation. 
  • Excessive moisture and underground water leaks: these reduce soil volume and the soil itself can be washed away. Severe droughts also lead to shrinkage. In any case, the soil experiences changes in volume that can cause the foundation to move. This movement can create stress that translates into cracks and voids to form underneath the concrete.
  • There are specific types of soils that are not suitable for construction.

When concrete is sunken or raised, they cause expansion joints to become increasingly more uneven, creating tripping hazards or even road hazards. Furthermore, sunken concrete areas usually collect and pool water when it rains allowing moisture to find its way into penetrations, compounding the problem.

No matter what the reason is for your uneven foundation, it is important to have a foundation specialist come and inspect your home or business and offer the best solution to get it back to its original level. House leveling needs to be done at the first signs of foundation problems. Remember, the longer the problem is ignored, the more damage it will cause.

When you call a ProTech specialist, an experienced project manager will survey the conditions of your concrete infrastructure to determine the best course of action. Our professionals will determine whether the concrete will need to be raised by way of mudjacking or simply ground down, or in some cases, a combination of both. Concrete leveling provides a more cost-effective solution than just tearing out and re-pouring concrete.

 

Check out our Concrete Services. We have over 35 years of experience in the field. Our experts will assess the damage and pick the best solution to ensure your structure’s durability and strength. Our 24/7 response team will be happy to help – just contact us.