If you own a commercial facility, ongoing maintenance is necessary to keep the structure in excellent condition. Ensuring the soil around the building is stable will prevent problems like foundation shifting, basement leaking, and damaged walls. Winter weather can affect the ground in multiple ways, making the earth around your facility especially vulnerable to destabilization during the colder months. If you’re concerned about soil stabilization this season, here’s what you should know about safeguarding your property and how a contractor can help by using methods like slabjacking and pressure grouting.

Why Does Soil Destabilize in the Winter?

The colder months bring snowy and windy conditions. When the temperature fluctuates between mild and freezing, the soil on your property can loosen. Strong gusts can then blow away the top layers of the earth, resulting in weakened ground around your building.

The loosened soil in the winter is especially vulnerable to water runoff from melting snow. The moisture can get under the building and lead to significant erosion that can damage or weaken the foundation. Without the proper intervention, the material can sink or crack, allowing water inside your building or causing the walls throughout the structure to bow.

How Can Pressure Grouting Help?

Fortunately, the right contractor can employ techniques to protect your facility from destabilized soil. One method is slabjacking, which involves grouting under the foundation slab to solidify the building against the weakened earth surrounding it. 

If slabjacking isn’t enough to deal with the erosion, the professionals may need to use a technique called pressure grouting. The process entails running a pipe to a specific depth where the soil is weak and pumping grout into the precise area. An especially strong mixture, referred to as compaction grouting, is used for this method.

After injecting the grout into the deepest spot, the contractor will raise the piping-usually in 1- or 2-foot increments-and continue the process until they reach the surface. This will ensure the foundation is properly lifted and the soil beneath is stabilized.

Protect your commercial building from soil destabilization with slabjacking or pressure grouting services from The Dwyer Company. With locations in West Chester, OH, Louisville, KY, and Lexington, KY, this company repairs and protects foundations using state-of-the-art technology and cutting-edge methods that keep your facility in excellent condition. Their crew will use the latest mobile grouting pumps to effectively deal with loose or weak soil around your building. Call (513) 777-0998 for their West Chester location, (859) 231-0998 for Lexington, or (502) 489-5438 for Louisville to schedule a free estimate. Visit them online to learn more about their pressure grouting services.