Eva Sharp – Consumer Health Books

Detecting foundation problems early can save homeowners money. However, choosing the right contractor is crucial to ensuring the repairs are completed properly. For professional help, contact Plano Foundation Repair.

There are several different methods to fix foundation issues, including patching and sealing. Slab jacking is an option for sinking concrete, and piering uses buried steel piers to support and stabilize the foundation.

If you notice cracks in your foundation walls, you should inspect them regularly to make sure they aren’t getting wider. If you do find a crack in your foundation, you’ll want to clean it thoroughly and widen it slightly with a chisel or angle grinder to ensure proper adhesion with the filler. If you decide to repair a crack on your own, you’ll want to use epoxy or polyurethane fillers that are designed to expand and contract with the concrete.

Cracks in a foundation are often expected and can be caused by several different factors. These include natural settling, shrinkage of the concrete, and changes in temperature. Non-structural cracks typically don’t pose a significant threat to the structural integrity of your home and can usually be repaired with DIY methods.

Structural cracks are much more serious and can indicate a problem with the soil or structural problems in your home. These types of cracks are typically wider than 1/8 inch and may appear as horizontal, diagonal, or stair-step patterns in the concrete blocks of your foundation wall.

When inspecting your foundation for cracks, pay close attention to their direction and location. If the cracks run vertically, they’re more likely to be due to normal settling and are less concerning than horizontal cracks, which may indicate that the ground is shifting unevenly. If you see a crack that is particularly wide or appears to be getting wider, call in a professional for inspection and repair. This can be a sign of a severe problem that will require more advanced repair techniques. Also, make sure to check for puddles or damp spots in the basement or crawl space that could be signs of a leaky foundation.

Water Invasion

If water invades a home’s foundation, it may result in serious damage to the structure above and below ground. This damage can lead to mold growth, rot of organic construction materials and even structural failure of the foundation walls.

The major cause of residential water intrusion into a foundation is poor drainage. The landscape around the foundation should be graded to move surface water away from the home, not towards it.

A grading problem will typically be noticeable if water pools in certain areas of the yard during or after rainfall. In addition, if the soil under the foundation becomes saturated, it can lead to erosion and cause the ground to heave or settle unevenly, which can damage the foundation.

Excessive moisture around a house’s foundation can also lead to problems with windows and doors that don’t close, wavy or sloping roof lines and damage to interior walls. Moisture in the basement can also contribute to mold and fungus growth, which can cause health issues for homeowners.

It’s important to talk with a contractor early in the process to understand the costs and possible complications associated with a particular repair method. For example, some methods of excavation require digging in the yard and can disrupt landscaping and other features in and around your home. In addition, many foundation repair contractors will require you to obtain a building permit, which can add to the cost of your project. If this is a concern, consider working with a company that offers to handle all required permits as part of the overall contract. It’s also a good idea to put some money aside each month for potential home repairs and maintenance, including foundation work.

Seismic Issues

Earthquakes are one of the most common causes of damage to foundations. Even mild earthquakes can cause shifts in the ground beneath your foundation, which isn’t good for structural integrity and might lead to a crumbling or collapsed foundation.

Older homes are especially prone to earthquake damage, as they weren’t built with foundations that are bolted down. Large earthquakes can shift a house right off of its foundation, which is why many older houses have been destroyed in severe earthquakes. Even recently built homes that are anchored to their foundations can still suffer from earthquake damage if the bracing materials in their cripple walls are weak. The cripple wall is a short wall that connects the foundation to the first floor of the house and encloses the crawl space.

Cracks in the exterior of your home are the most obvious signs of earthquake damage to a foundation. While hairline cracks aren’t a huge deal, larger cracks may indicate that the foundation has shifted. If you notice any cracks that are clean through and expose the steel reinforcing, contact a foundation professional right away. Interior cracks in the foundation and/or doors and windows that are hard to open or close might also indicate a problem with the foundation.

Earthquakes can also damage utility lines running through foundations or along walls and ceilings. This can be particularly dangerous for gas lines, as they can rupture and spark during an earthquake. This can lead to toxic gases leaking into homes or, in the worst cases, causing fires that threaten lives and property. Retrofitting a foundation with seismic-resistance techniques like compaction grouting or deep mixing can reduce these risks.

Slab Jacking

If your home’s foundation slab is sinking, the good news is that it may be repaired without having to replace it entirely. Slab jacking is the process of drilling holes into the slab and then pumping in a specialized mixture that fills voids and lifts the concrete.

This type of repair is also referred to as mudjacking or concrete lifting. It is a great option for repairing uneven or sunken patios, driveways, sidewalks, steps, and garage floors. Sinking concrete occurs when the soil beneath shifts or collapses, leaving empty spaces underneath. This can happen naturally as the earth shifts and compacts or it can be accelerated by erosion or improper construction.

After a house or garage is built, builders will usually place fill dirt along the perimeter of the foundation. While this helps with drainage, it leaves the soil vulnerable to expansion and contraction that can cause concrete slabs to settle. When the foundation settles, it creates a sagging surface that causes cracks and can even lead to a partial or complete collapse of the slab.

Slab jacking uses a special cement grout that is hydraulically pumped through strategically placed holes in the slab. The specialized mix fills voids and pressure lifts the concrete. It is a fast and relatively inexpensive repair solution.

However, it is important to note that slab jacking will not be a long-term or permanent fix. If the sagging is caused by the foundation itself or if the sinking is causing structural damage to your northern Utah home, it’s probably best to consult with a foundation repair professional about a more invasive but permanent solution like piering. Piering involves placing steel supports — either push or helical piers — into the ground and then raising them hydraulically until your foundation is leveled.

Replacement

A total foundation replacement is a complete tear-down and reconstruction of your home’s foundation. It’s the most invasive, and also the most expensive, solution for addressing severe issues with your foundation. It’s recommended that you choose this option only when repairing the existing foundation isn’t feasible.

Typically, a professional will dig underneath your foundation to expose the existing concrete slab. Then, they will pour a new foundation in its place. This method may be necessary if your foundation has major cracking or if the soils beneath it have shifted significantly.

When deciding whether to repair or replace your foundation, you should consider the age of your house and how extensive the damage is. While a repair can provide an effective fix, if the issue is widespread and your foundation is older, replacement is probably the best option to ensure the structural integrity of your home.

The other important factor to consider is your timeline for this project. A repair project is typically a shorter process, but a replacement can turn your property into a construction zone for weeks or months, depending on the scope of the project and weather conditions.

Stabilization is a great alternative to replacing your foundation, and it can work for both slab and pier and beam style homes. It involves installing steel or helical piers underneath your home to transfer your foundation’s weight to the load-bearing soils. The stabilization process is often preferred over raising your home because it avoids the need to move any existing finish-work that you’ve put in, such as drywall and trim, cabinets and built-ins, or countertops and backsplashes. It also avoids any potential damage to plumbing lines.

Massage Therapy

Massage Therapy for Pregnant Women

November 12, 2023November 12, 2023 Eva Sharp

Pregnant women can often benefit from massage therapy. The extra strain on muscles and ligaments can be decreased or alleviated through prenatal massage. However, it’s best to get your doctor’s approval at https://massagereset.com/. This is because too much pressure on the legs can dislodge a blood clot, which is risky for expectant mothers.

Pregnancy is an exciting time for any woman, but it can also be stressful for the body. One way to help alleviate stress is through massage, which can be beneficial for expectant mothers at all stages of pregnancy.

In addition to relieving back pain and other common aches and pains, prenatal massage has been shown to increase circulation and relax the muscles, which can help relieve tension headaches. It can also improve sleep patterns and reduce swelling in the legs and feet. Having an open line of communication with your OB-GYN and a skilled massage therapist will ensure that the best course of action is taken throughout each stage of your pregnancy to get the most out of this therapeutic treatment.

Most prenatal massages focus on the lower back, hips and neck since these areas can be most affected by the weight gain and swelling that occurs during pregnancy. The uterus pushes on the muscles of the pelvic floor and lower back, which can cause them to swell, and it can also put pressure on the nerves in the lower legs. In many cases, sciatic nerve pain can be reduced through prenatal massage.

Massage can also increase the elasticity of the joints, which can be helpful in reducing discomfort during labor and delivery. Studies have also shown that massage can regulate hormone levels, which can help reduce the risk of prenatal depression and anxiety.

A well-trained prenatal massage therapist will avoid certain spots on the body, like the leg veins, that are at higher risk for a clot. They will also avoid putting too much pressure on the abdomen, which is not safe for most expecting women.

While any licensed massage therapist can perform prenatal massages, it is important to choose a therapist who has specialized training in maternity massage. A qualified therapist will understand how to adjust the table, how to position the client and what positions to avoid during each trimester. They will also know how to address any issues that may arise during the session, such as if the client starts to feel dizzy or faint.

Techniques

Pregnancy is a time of dramatic physical change. The extra weight puts stress on joints and the center of gravity shifts, which can cause pain in the back, neck, abdominal muscles, and legs. Massage helps relieve the tension and improves circulation. Massage can also ease sciatic nerve pain, which is a common condition in late pregnancy. This is caused by the uterus resting on muscles in the pelvic floor and lower leg, causing them to swell. The resulting pressure can cause pain in the foot, ankle, and knee area.

Prenatal Massage is a gentle form of bodywork that uses safe and effective techniques to improve a woman’s well-being. It is not a replacement for medical treatment, and should only be performed under a doctor’s supervision. Massage is safe for most pregnant women, although it is important to avoid massage in the first trimester.

In the second trimester, it is safe to receive a prenatal massage, but the therapist should avoid the areas around the ankles and a few of the toes (big, second, and baby). Pressure in those areas can dislodge blood clots, which can lead to an embolism and are dangerous for the mother-to-be.

A prenatal massage is typically done side-lying with a full body pillow or a special cushion that supports the belly and chest. Depending on the size of the woman, sessions can be 60 or 90 minutes long.

If you are considering a prenatal massage, it is important to find a massage therapist with training in this type of work. While any licensed massage therapist can, theoretically, perform a prenatal massage, it is best to find a specialist. You should also ask about the qualifications of the therapist, such as whether she has received specific training in antenatal massage or is certified by a recognized association. A prenatal massage can be a great way to alleviate physical discomfort and prepare the body for labor and delivery. However, it is important to discuss risks with your physician before you start receiving massage treatments. Women with high-risk pregnancies, such as those with preeclampsia or pregnancy induced hypertension, should not receive massage.

Safety

Pregnancy puts a lot of stress on the mother-to-be’s muscles, especially in her back and lower abdomen. This can cause aches and pains throughout the body. A trained prenatal massage therapist knows where these sore spots are and can help relieve them. They also know which techniques and areas to avoid, as well as how to use pillows and cushions to support the body. These precautions help ensure the safety of the mom-to-be and her baby.

One of the most important things a woman can do before getting a prenatal massage is to discuss it with her doctor. The obstetrician will let her know if the massage is safe and can help decide what position she should be in during the session. In addition, the obstetrician may be able to recommend a therapist who is specially trained in pregnancy massage.

The best position for a pregnant woman during massage is side-lying. This is the recommended position by doctors and midwives to allow for optimal fetal circulation. Many maternity massage therapists have special tables that can be adjusted to accommodate the client in this position. They may also use specialized pillows to support the pregnant woman’s head and body.

In late pregnancy, a woman may suffer from sciatic nerve pain. The pressure of the enlarged uterus causes the pelvic and leg muscles to swell, which in turn puts pressure on the spinal nerves. During a prenatal massage, the therapist can help relieve this tension by massaging the legs and the back. This helps to relieve the nerves and ease the discomfort of sciatic nerve pain.

A specialized maternity massage can also be used to reduce swelling and alleviate the pain of varicose veins. This type of massage involves using special techniques to manipulate the legs and feet. The therapist can also apply heat to the legs to reduce inflammation and ease the pain of the swollen veins. Some maternity massages even include foot reflexology to improve blood flow and circulation.

Cost

Prenatal Massage is a type of therapeutic body work designed specifically for pregnant women. The massage can help alleviate many of the common discomforts that come along with pregnancy, such as back pain, swollen legs and feet, stiff neck and shoulders, and achy joints. It can also reduce stress and increase the overall comfort level of the client.

The sessions are usually conducted in a comfortable, quiet environment. The client is asked to disrobe, and the therapist covers the woman’s body with a sheet, except for the area being worked on. The session can last from 30 to 120 minutes. The costs vary depending on the length and the facility where the massage takes place.

A good prenatal massage therapist will be familiar with the techniques that are appropriate for each trimester of the pregnancy and what kind of pressure is safe for a woman who is expecting twins or more. The therapist should also be aware of the woman’s overall health status and know whether she is experiencing any early signs of labor, such as swelling of the face or hands, or having contractions that are too strong.

Some health insurance policies cover prenatal massages. These types of massages can be billed to the client’s health savings or flexible spending account, and they are tax-deductible. A massage therapist may require a written prescription from a doctor or midwife before treating the patient.

Most doctors agree that a prenatal massage is safe for most pregnant women, but they may recommend waiting until after the second trimester to receive one. The first trimester is considered the riskiest time for miscarriage, and the therapist should avoid the abdomen, hips, knees, ankles, and feet.

The circulatory changes that occur during pregnancy make the woman at higher risk for developing blood clots, which can be dangerous to both mother and child. Deep tissue massage and other forms of intense rubbing could potentially dislodge a blood clot, which is why it is important to choose a therapist who is experienced in prenatal therapy. It is also a good idea to discuss the decision to get a prenatal massage with your healthcare provider, especially if you have a history of DVT or blood clots.

Author: Eva Sharp

Choosing the Right Contractor for Foundation Repair