South West Fl Houses

Concrete Slab vs. Pier System Which is a Better Foundation?


Pier Systems can add more of a foundation that concrete slabs. They also add extra support without damaging the internal structure of you home.

Signs that your home needs to be stabilized include the following:

Horizontal cracks in the walls
Step cracks in block or brick foundation
Uneven floors, windows or doors not working properly

One pier system used is called the helical pier system, and it involves the following installation steps:

A torque anchor is screwed in to the stable subsoil. This is done until then torque indicates that the necessary load capacity had been achieved.
Adjustable brackets then are attached to the foundation walls. These brackets are connected to the screw anchors. The screw anchors are connected to the foundation.
The weight of the home shifts to the screw anchors. This stops further movement, because foundation walls and floors are retained.

This system contrasts with other foundation strengthening methods which use the weight of the home to force the pipes in the ground. Other methods have a tendency to negatively affect walkways and landscaping.

Another helical pier system uses similar principals as the foundation system with the torque anchors described above. One of the only different it has a weaving pipe system. These interwoven pipe system creates added strength for the foundation, even more so than the pier system above.
A third kind of pier system is the called the magnum steel push method. Each unit looks like something that is a cross between a pogo stick and a shock absorber for a car. The only difference is, this magnum steel system holds over 30 tons. This is one of the best support systems ever made. This steel push system powered by hydraulics is fairly easy to install. It is well worth the effort, because it is sure to prevent a home from sinking.

Another very effective pier system is a disaster resistant pier system. This one helps sustain a home in the case of an earthquake. It also anchors the house in the event of high winds, frost heaves, and floods. This system consists of stout members connecting to a slab, grade beams or array of pads. A secondary system called a seismic isolator works in conjunction with the earthquake resistant system. This helps prevent the house from dropping too low to the ground. These two systems working together are very cost-effective, and also save lives.

The entire above mentioned pier systems are far more supportive than a concrete slab system. The different is in the anchors. The only thing a concrete slab is supported by is poles, and foundation walls. It offers very little support, and the weigh of the house shifts.
Again, as mentioned earlier, signs that a house needs a more stable foundation are cracks in the floors, walls or ceilings. On the contrary, the pier systems offer additional support to the home without damaging any floor, walls or ceilings.

It is up to you to decide for yourself which system is better, the concrete slab system one of the pier systems. However, if you know anything about concrete slab systems you will know that it consists of supportive posts and beams. Moreover, it does not offer the same anchoring and support that the pier systems offer. Many houses have been sunk or torn off in various disasters such as an earthquake or tornado.

Not only that, but even during fair weather conditions houses on concrete slabs have sunk. It only happens after a long period of time if there is no disaster that hits. However, imagine if you could live to see what a home on a concrete foundation looks like in a hundred years. Most likely it would not hold up to one of the more modern pier systems.

Not only that, but the home with the concrete slab is more likely to be condemned, versus the home with one of the many pier systems available.

Therefore, you should consider the benefits of a pier system and check into the possibility of installing one to protect your family and your home, and your future. It is up to you to find out the truth for yourself. You and your familys lives depend on it.

When you shop for a home equity loan, it is important to do enough research.

How to Diagnose a Smoky Fireplace


Its cold and you want to use your fireplace, but youve been having problems in the past with it smoking. You can correct your smoky fireplace issue with a few easy steps. Take a gander at these fireplace tips to correct any issues of a smoky one.

This list of tips should help you correct any problem with a fireplace that fills your house up with black silt smoke. Not only does it need to be done because you cant use your fireplace, but smoke from a fireplace ruins walls, carpets and drapes. This type of smoke is almost impossible to get out of any fabric including your clothes. Besides it not healthy to breathe in the smoke and its especially true with anyone suffering from allergies of any kind.

1. Stoke up the Fireplace Chimney. Be sure to open your damper. Its usually found in front of the fireplace and its a simple switch to pull back. Next warm the chimney air by burning newspaper or any other type of safe material in the fireplace. The goal is to get the air warmer in the chimney so itll push the cold air out and away. Colder air pushes the warmer air down and smoky air can occur.
2. Use Seasoned Wood. Dont burn green timber in your fireplace. Large fireplace logs tend to cause more smoke because it takes them a while to get hot enough to burn off residue. Small logs are the best choice.
3. Open Windows. Sometimes theres not enough draft in a room to catch the fireplace to light. Its not as big of a problem if you happen to live in an older house. Older homes were not built as energy efficient as newer models are, theres not much of a draft to circulate for the use of a fireplace. So open one or two windows to help your fireplace start burning.
4. Purchase Fireplace Bricks. Even though youre using a grate at times it doesnt provide enough air circulation under the wood for it to catch. Smoke is the result that billows into your house. You can buy extra fireplace bricks to build up your grate to a higher level. This will help stop smoking by creating enough draft under the grate.
5. Scale Down the Fireplace Opening. Extra large fireplaces have more of a problem heating an area. This is usually because the chimney is much smaller than the open hearth part. The trick is to balance the size with the chimney. Certain fireplace stores carry reducers that can be installed. Also look for a shield to catch any smoke that may circulate into the room
6. Turn Down the Furnace. Smoky air can be created when theres not enough air in the house. For example when it heats the air in the chimney the fan returns it to the house in the form of smoke when your furnace is on. So turn down the furnace to a level thats acceptable for the other rooms, or if you can bear it turn it off.
7. Clean out Pipes or Raise Them. Sometimes the pipes outside can get clogged from debris or even bird nests. At other times pipes are not long enough and need to be replaced. Cutting back high growing trees and branches will help cut down on smoke in the fireplace too because the air is not stopped from circulating, and pushed back into the house as smoke.
8. Hire a Professional Cleaning Crew. Smoke from wood can give off a substance known as creosote. This is a natural by product of burning wood in your fireplace. Have your fireplace checked once a year and cleaned. Fireplace maintenance is a safety issue too.


Your fireplace should be something for you to enjoy and not fret over. However fireplaces are like other things around the house that need care and attention. Remember just because it doesnt run off electricity doesnt mean that it can be ignored. It sits patiently for autumn to roll around and to provide you with warmth. In the mean time make sure your ready to go by inspecting it and having it cleaned. In the autumn and winter months you can sit back and enjoy the warmth of the fire and a smoke free house too.