Uncategorized

Water damage can be among the most expensive issues property owners encounter. From a damp basement to a flooded foundation or standing water near the property, knowing drainage solutions can help protect your investment. Drainage tiles are a simple and efficient method of diverting excess water from the property and preventing damage and damp conditions.

This guide from Bill’s Custom Concrete takes you through the workings of drainage tiles and why they could be the answer your land needs.

How Do Drainage Tiles Actually Work?

How do drainage tiles work? If you’ve ever wondered, the answer is in their design: Drainage tiles are perforated pipes buried in the ground in order to gather and direct excess groundwater. In spite of the nomenclature, modern drainage tiles are normally manufactured from PVC or other hard plastic material instead of customary clay tiles.

The Basic Procedure

The system functions with a simple process. Water automatically moves towards the lowest point, and drainage tiles are designed in such a way that they capture this water prior to its reaching your basement or foundation. The pipes are perforated and let in the groundwater from the earth, which then moves through the system and is carried off into a point of discharge.

Installation and Orientation

Drainage tiles are installed in trenches dug outside the footing of your foundation or in areas where the water accumulates. Gravel covers the pipes and does two things: it provides the water with an access route to the drainage tiles and prevents soil from clogging the openings.

This system depends entirely on gravity in order to transport the water from the collection point to the area where the water discharges. The discharge area is often a dry well, a storm drain, or some area in your property where the water can safely drain without property damage.

Major Elements

An effective drainage tile system comprises some basic components. The perforated pipe is the essential component in the system, and the gravel bed allows for effective flow and filtration of the effluent. Filter fabric normally covers the gravel such that no finer material enters the system and clogs the system.

The Role of French Drains and Other Remedies

One of the most widespread implementations of drainage tile technology is the usage of French drains in OKC. These drainage systems are most beneficial for the houses with damp basement issues or lawns with flood conditions.

When You Need Drainage Tiles Most

Drainage tile installation is common among property owners whose properties experience persistent drainage issues. You are likely in need of drainage tile installation if you experience such issues as water in your basement after a rainy day, damp spots in your yard that take too long to evaporate, or settling in the basement that can be caused by water-laden soil.

Comparing Different Drainage Solutions

Even though drainage tiles are extremely efficient, they are quite far from being the only solution available. The surface drainage systems such as gutters and correct grading take care of the water at the surface, but no such systems are available for the groundwater which drainage tiles target in specific.

Sump pumps also work well with drainage tiles, especially in high-water-table sites. The drainage tile collects the water, and the sump pump also provides added protection by actually pumping the water off beneath your footings.

Long-Term Asset Protection

It helps to understand not just what the system does, but how does tile drainage work for you? Investing in the correct drainage protects more than the basement. Excess moisture can cause damage to the foundation, mold, and damage to the yard. You’re building a whole water control system when installing drainage tiles, which protects the structural integrity and value of the property.

Get Customized Expectations Today

Every property has its own unique drainage issues based on the makeup of the soil, local conditions, and existing infrastructure. Drain tiles can be a great answer to many drainage problems, but determining the right approach in your situation requires the professional analysis.

Consider consulting with our friendly team at Bill’s who can evaluate your property’s needs and recommend the most effective solution. We can assess factors like soil permeability, water table levels, and existing drainage infrastructure to design a system that provides long-term protection for your investment.

Don’t let water damage turn into an expensive issue. Take the right precautions in treating the area with water, and the money you spend now will be worth it in the long run!

Retaining walls play a very important role for most properties by holding back soil to avoid erosion and provide usable area for slopes. They anchor gardens, driveways, and landscaping elements while safeguarding your house’s foundation against damage from running waters. Installing a retaining wall or having it already in your property depends highly on knowing its average lifespan to prepare for maintenance and future replacements. If you’re considering retaining walls in OK, understanding the factors influencing their longevity is especially important given variable climates.

The retaining wall’s duration depends on a variety of key variables, from the types of material used to the quality at which it was built and the maintenance. Homeowners often ask: how long do retaining walls last? Much of the answer depends on proper care and local conditions. If you need tailored advice, call Bill’s Custom Concrete today! 

Principal Predictors of a Person’s Lifespan

Material Type and Quality

The kind of material that you choose often dictates how long your retaining wall lasts. There are differing levels of strength, weather-resistant qualities, and strength in structure among types, for example.

Construction Design and Quality

Proper installation can be the difference in the decades-long life of the wall or its crumbling in a few years. Professional installation will provide the right foot depth, the right drainage system, and the right reinforcement for the height of the wall and the type of soil. It’s also vital to account for retaining wall curing time with concrete and masonry options, as the proper curing process affects long-term durability.

Environmental Conditions

Local climate significantly influences the strength of your walls. Locations with the freezing-thawing process, high rainfall volumes, or earthquake activity put extra strain on retaining walls. Compost and drainage arrangement in the area surrounding your wall also influence the strength over the years.

Average Lifetime in Material

Wooden Retaining Walls

Timber retaining walls, in average conditions, can survive for 10 to 15 years if properly maintained. Pressure-treated wood can extend the years even further, and untreated wood can perish quickly. Periodic sealing and timely replacement of the damaged boards can work to maximize the years.

Concrete Retaining Walls

Concrete walls from Bill’s are highly durable and will stand the test for up to 50 to 100 years. The reinforced concrete will stand longer and is a very good property holding value investment.

Brick Retaining Walls

Excellent quality brick walls can survive in your structure for a similar time period. You must perform routine maintenance for the mortar joints in and of themselves, but the bricks weather many a storm.

Stone Retaining Walls

The best measure of strength and durability are the stone walls, and they will often exceed 100 years and beyond with no repairs being required. A dry-stacked stonewall may require the stones reset periodically, and a mortared stonewall will provide total stability.

Key Maintenance Directions

Monthly Inspection Procedure

Go behind the retaining wall at least twice a year and examine for cracks, bulging, or signs of shifting. Look for drainage problems, like standing water or erosion channels, which can damage the base of the wall.

Proper Cleaning and Maintenance

Remove weeds growing in the joints in the walls, as roots can slowly dislodge blocks or stones. Clearing guttering and drainage systems will discourage buildup of water behind the wall, which creates dangerous hydrostatic pressure.

Make Repairs Now

Small things are big issues if left undone. Patch up damaged areas, re-point mortar joints, and seal leaky drainage where you’ve noticed it. Early and often, it’s worth doing.

Planning for the Longer Term

By also having in mind the retaining wall’s future lifespan, you can budget your maintenance cost and replacement. Regular professional inspection can identify the issue early enough, while smaller and less expensive repairs can be carried out.

Quality material and proper installation are smart investments that will reap rewards later in the form of longer-lasting walls and lesser maintenance. When you replace them, don’t hesitate to upgrade to the high-performance products better suited with the conditions unique to your property and your future plans! 

A patio made with concrete can be a great asset for your land, delivering a hard and stylish outside space for entertaining and unwinding. Before you can mix the concrete and prepare the site, though, you need to first establish…do you need a permit for a concrete patio? The response is far from always straightforward and often depends on several local criteria. 

In this guide from Bill’s Custom Concrete, we can help you determine the regulations and get the process to go from conception to finish. If you’re interested in the consideration of concrete patio cost in Oklahoma City for budgeting purposes, be sure to speak to our team. 

Deciphering building codes can be confusing, but permits exist for a reason. The permits put in place are designed so that building projects are structurally secure and safe and are in conformity with local laws meant for your own safety and your community’s safety. Building without the required concrete patio permit can result in fines, possible run-ins with the law, and potentially having the structure torn down. Best to take the time and get the rules straight ahead of time so you can avoid a lot of headaches and potential cost later.

When Do You Need Permits for Patios?

The need for a permit is most often in terms of local building and zoning laws. They are in effect for the sake of maintaining the safety codes, land use, and ensuring new construction does no damage to your property or others’ property in the area. A simple, straightforward patio does not necessarily require a permit in an area, but more sophisticated projects often do. 

Most times, the larger and more permanent the structure, the more likely you are obliged to obtain permission from the correct people – usually by applying for a permit for a concrete patio at your local office.

Factors That Determine Permit Requirements

A variety of things dictate whether or not your concrete patio project must have a permit. Most are localized zoning ordinances, which are contained in each city and county government’s own regulations. Patio location and size are also quite crucial. Most locations have threshold sizes in area or in height; if your patio exceeds them, you can presume safely that you must have a permit. 

Beyond that, structural considerations, such as installing a roof onto the structure or attaching the patio up against your own building, nearly universally require a permit since they involve the structure that exists at your property.

How to Confirm What You Need Locally

The best way to determine if you need a permit or not is to contact the building or planning department in your city. You can typically find the contact information online at the city’s or county’s website or in the office over the phone. Tell them the size and location and scope of your project, and they will inform you about the regulations in your area.

Another asset we highly recommend is a local, qualified contractor. Good contractors are very familiar with the permit process in the area in which they work and can offer point-specific advice applicable to the minutiae of your project. Our contractors at Bill’s can typically facilitate the permit applications for you and ensure all paperwork is in order and the project adheres to all necessary codes.

Think Ahead for a Successful Project

Adding a concrete patio can really help beautify your property, but it’s very important to get it done right. Always check with your local permit process beforehand. Consult with your local building department and hire an experienced contractor so that your new patio can be wonderfully well-designed, safe, legal, and durable! 

A basement is a valuable part of your living space, but it is most vulnerable to water damage. Minor issues of moisture will have dire consequences, like structural damage, mold infestation, and expensive repairs. Understanding the early signs of water damage is the answer to saving your property and investment. 

This guide from Bill’s Custom Concrete will walk you through the common signs that it is time to intervene, and help you consider solutions such as basement waterproofing in Oklahoma City or other relevant methods.

Seeing the Red Flags

Do not wait for a puddle to appear. Several of the early signs of water intrusion are subtle. Knowing what to look for can help discern an issue before it becomes a bigger problem. You might even ask yourself, can you waterproof a basement from the inside? This is a common consideration when early symptoms start to appear, and our team can help. 

Mold or Mildew

One of the most noticeable signs of a moisture issue is mold or mildew growing. This type of substance enjoys warm, humid temperatures, and basements are a perfect breeding spot. You will want to look for black, green, or white patches on walls, ceilings, and around floor joists. Make sure to look in areas of restricted circulation, such as in corners and behind stored objects. When dealing with such problems, it’s essential to know how to waterproof a basement wall so you can take immediate action.

Chronic Musty Odor

You can usually smell water damage even when you can’t see it through your eyes. A lingering musty or damp odor is a good sign of unseen moisture and mold development. Even if you cannot spot anything visible, this particular smell is an indication that water has come through into a spot of drywall, carpeting, or insulation.

Stains on Walls and Floors

Staining on your basement walls or floors is another obvious indication. Yellow or brown discolorations are usually an indication of a slow, steady leak from pipes or from cracks found in a basement’s foundation. These stains will sometimes be damp to the touch or come as rings indicating where moisture has been present. Is basement waterproofing worth it? It becomes crucial when repeated stains persist over time.

Peeling or Bubbling Paint

Trapped moisture behind a coat of paint will sooner or later make it fail. When you see paint that is bubbling, cracking, or chipping off from walls, it is an indication that you have moisture inside the wall itself. Moisture drives the paint off from the face as it seeks a way to come out. In many cases, waterproofing basement walls from inside the space can address these problems and prevent them from worsening.

Warped or Buckling Flooring

The floor coverings will have varied responses to moisture presence, yet all will have evidence of damage. Buckling, warping, or cracking along joints will occur to laminate or wood floor covering. Lifting may start to happen in vinyl floor tiles, as carpet becomes saturated and stained. Any visible change in your floor covering appearance or feel calls for further examination.

Powdery White Substance on Concrete

If you spot a powdery deposit of white on your masonry or concrete walls, this is likely a sign of efflorescence. This is when water seeps through concrete and later dries out and precipitates salts behind. Though it is never harmful in itself, it is a sure sign of water intrusion.

Protect Your Foundation

Fixing these signs immediately is important to maintaining your house’s construction integrity and a healthy living environment. Leaks will quickly turn into severe issues and cost a lot of money to mend (as well as create health risks from mold). You can protect your asset years down the road by checking your basement frequently and fixing something right away when you spot an issue. Contact Bill’s Custom Concrete for tailored advice today! 

The most important part of your property is its foundation, and its maintenance is necessary to keep it safe and valuable. When the ground under your house shifts or settles, it results in severe structural issues. Foundation piering is an established method of fixing and securing a deteriorating foundation to provide a permanent solution to a seemingly disastrous problem. Are foundation piers a good repair? The answer is yes – when installed correctly, they offer long-term stability.

What is a foundation pier? This guide from Bill’s Custom Concrete will demonstrate exactly what you need to know – what they are, when they’re needed, and how they can protect your property into the years to come.

Types of Foundation Piers

Our foundation repair specialists can employ a number of different piers that are suitable depending on a given soil condition and structural requirement. Knowing about these will allow you to make an educated decision about your house.

Steel Piers

Steel piers are strong, durable support columns that are driven deep into the ground to a point where they reach hard bedrock or a bearing layer of ground. They’re a sought-after solution because they’re so reliable and provide a lot of lift to a settling foundation. Because they’re driven so deep into the ground, steel piers provide a permanent solution that will not be affected by shifting of surface soils. 

Their only real drawback can be cost, as this is a highly labor-intensive procedure. Many foundation repair companies in OKC recommend steel piers for challenging soil conditions, but it’s not the only option. 

Concrete Piers

Concrete piers for foundation repair consist of filling holes drilled into the ground with concrete. Concrete piers are made on-site and can be reinforced with steel rebar to make them stronger. With this in mind, these piers are an affordable and efficient approach to securing foundations when you have areas where it is not too deep to reach bedrock. 

They do have to have time to harden before securing a structure upon it, and installing them can disrupt landscapes. But some homeowners appreciate having a house on concrete piers because of the reliable support they offer in various soil types.

Helical Piers

Helical piers, also known as screw piles, look like large screws and are twisted into the ground using hydraulic machinery. Their helical plates provide anchoring strength against the soil. These piers are excellent for lighter structures or in soil conditions where deep driving is difficult. Helical piers can be installed quickly with minimal disruption, but they may not be suitable for supporting very heavy structures or in areas with rocky soil.

When Foundation Piers are Needed

Knowing about signs of foundation distress will give you a chance to correct issues before major problems happen. You may sometimes need to put up piers when you notice specific signs or when your house is placed in a challenging environment.

One of the most common signs is that of cracks in your floor, walls, or even your foundation. Floors that slip or slope, as well as doors that stick or do not even close are good indications of a settlement of a foundation.

Some types of soil, such as expansive clay that becomes swollen and contracts when moisture is altered, put a tremendous load on a foundation. Houses constructed on shifting ground, a severe slope, or near a body of water are also top contenders for foundation piering to ward off future shifting.

Secure Your Foundation for Good

Foundation piers are a valuable asset when it comes to settling a house right and providing long-term stability to a house. By lifting and securing the structure from solid ground far below the surface, they create a permanent solution to a house’s foundation issues.

If you have discovered any evidence of cracking of foundations, do not hesitate to have it fixed. Professional examination from our team at Bill’s Custom Concrete will reveal if it is a result of an uneven settling or a defect in a structure.

Call us now for a complete inspection and consultation to safeguard your property’s foundation!