What is underground tunneling?
There’s nothing worse than having a concrete slab as a foundation for your home and suddenly noticing cracks, humidity, or signs of settling. Unlike other types of foundation, like crawl spaces or piers, you know that concrete slabs are normally only repaired by first being cracked open and your living areas being off limits for days.
However, there’s an increasingly used and novel solution that might let you avoid the worst of concrete slab repairs, and that’s under-slab tunneling, which offers a more efficient and minimally invasive solution for addressing foundation problems.
When it comes to addressing foundation issues in residential or commercial properties, under-slab or underground tunneling is a technique that has gained traction for its effectiveness and minimal disruption to the property above.
Take the time to explore what underground tunneling is, its benefits for foundation repair, how the repair process works, the equipment needed, and why it may be the ideal solution for your home’s foundation issues.
Learn how this innovative approach can save you time, money, and headaches when it comes to repairing your home’s foundation.
What is Underground or Under-Slab Tunneling?
Underground or under-slab tunneling is a specialized technique used in foundation repair to access and reinforce areas beneath existing structures without the need for extensive excavation from within the home or commercial building.
This technique involves creating tunnels beneath concrete slabs or buildings to address various issues, such as repairing plumbing lines, reinforcing foundations, or addressing soil stabilization. By using underground tunneling equipment, contractors can work on the building foundation without disrupting the property above ground.
During the tunneling process, access holes are strategically dug on the side of the building to allow workers to enter and maneuver beneath via horizontal or directional tunneling. These access holes serve as entry points for boring equipment and personnel to reach the specific areas requiring attention.
The holes are neither too wide nor too narrow but enough for the tunneling crew and repairmen to get to the exact location of the issue without compromising the structure.
By carefully planning the location of these access points, contractors can minimize the impact on residential, commercial, or industrial buildings while still effectively addressing the foundation issues.
Advantages of Tunneling Over Traditional Repairs
It offers overall:
- Minimal disruption: The process minimizes disruption to landscaping and structures above the slab, making it a less invasive option compared to traditional methods that require extensive excavation. Homeowners can stay in their homes without having workers coming and going or breaking floors open.
- Cost-effective: Underground tunneling can be a cost-effective solution in most cases, as it does not require the same level of excavation and restoration work as other methods, resulting in potential cost savings.
- Faster repair process: The process is typically faster than traditional methods, allowing for a quicker repair timeline and minimizing the inconvenience to homeowners.
- Reduced risk of damage: Since it involves less excavation, there is a lower risk of damage to surrounding structures, utilities, and landscaping compared to other methods that require more extensive digging.
- Long-lasting results: It can provide a durable and long-lasting repair solution for concrete slab foundations, ensuring the structural integrity of the foundation for years to come.
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The Homes and Cases Where Under-Slab Tunneling is Needed
In homes with concrete slab foundations facing issues with plumbing lines or structural stability, the necessity for under-slab tunneling as a targeted repair solution becomes evident.
This is common in mostly three types of homes:
- Older homes with deteriorated plumbing or slab foundations.
- Where homeowners don’t want to leave their home while repairs are made.
- Newly renovated homes where damaging new floors and walls from repairs is not worth it.
What type of damage is usually best resolved by tunneling?
When concrete slabs develop plumbing leaks underneath, it can lead to water damage, mold growth, and even compromise the structural integrity of the building. In such cases, the under slab tunneling process offers a precise and effective solution to access and repair the affected areas without disrupting the entire foundation. Water lines or sewer lines running beneath concrete slabs can be challenging to reach and fix without causing extensive damage. This is where under-slab tunneling provided by a professional foundation repair or even a professional plumbing company proves invaluable. By creating tunnels beneath the slab, plumbers can access the problematic areas with minimal intrusion, making repairs more efficient and cost-effective. Slab plumbing leaks are common in older homes or those with poor initial installation practices, which is where tunneling is most popular.
Underground tunneling offers a targeted approach to carry out not just difficult plumbing repairs without the need for extensive excavation but also several other issues:
- Foundation Settlement
When the soil beneath a foundation compresses or shifts, causing the foundation to sink or settle unevenly, under-slab tunneling can be used to lift and stabilize the foundation.
- Foundation Heaving
When the soil beneath a foundation compresses or shifts, causing the foundation to sink or settle unevenly, under-slab tunneling can be used to lift and stabilize the foundation.
- Foundation Cracks
If the foundation has developed cracks due to movement or settlement, under-slab tunneling can be used to address the underlying issues and stabilize the foundation to prevent further cracking.
- Water Intrusion
As mentioned, plumbing failures or damaged foundation drainage systems are prime candidates for underground tunneling solutions. The goal is to prevent underground plumbing issues or any type of water intrusion from leading to issues like mold growth and structural damage.
- Sinking Floors
If a foundation’s structural integrity is compromised due to movement or settlement, underground tunneling can help reinforce and stabilize the foundation, ensuring the long-term stability of the building.
- Structural Instability
When foundation settlement causes floors to sink or become uneven, under-slab tunneling can be used to lift and level the floors, restoring the integrity of the structure.
Overall, under-slab tunneling is a versatile solution for a range of foundation issues and can provide long-lasting repairs that address the underlying causes of the problems.
When Traditional Repairs Are Better Than Tunneling Under Concrete Slabs
No single method is perfect for every repair job, especially in foundation repair, and tunneling is no exception.
Under certain circumstances, traditional concrete slab foundation repairs may be more suitable than under-slab tunneling for addressing foundation issues.
- Property owners facing localized damage or minor cracks in their concrete slabs may find that traditional repair methods are more cost-effective and efficient. Targeted repairs by a professional plumbing contractor can effectively resolve the issue without the need for extensive burrowing.
- There's no need to avoid damaging old floors, or the home is about to undergo a renovation anyway, which means cracking the concrete floor open won't be an issue.
- The floor plan is exceptionally large, meaning there will be a lot of square footage, and the water leakage problem or cracked slab section is too far from the exterior walls. Here, the tunneling cost will likely exceed that of traditional repair jobs of vertical holes, even with expensive flooring in place.
- Suppose the structural integrity of the concrete slab remains intact, and the damage is superficial. In that case, property owners may opt for more traditional concrete slab repairs over under-slab tunneling to maintain the aesthetic appeal of their property while ensuring a durable solution to their foundation repair needs.
Hiring experts like Above All Foundation Repair will ensure you avoid another reason why tunneling might not be best for your home: If done incorrectly, it can result in settlement problems from not using the proper techniques and equipment to compound the ground after filling the tunnels back in. Only the best and most professional plumbers or foundation repair companies can truly carry out these types of projects successfully.
The Homes and Cases Where Under-Slab Tunneling is Needed
Underground tunneling is a highly effective method for addressing foundation issues, but it has to be done correctly with the proper techniques and equipment. Not only is an expert slab leak detection process needed (to avoid unnecessary digging), but it’s also an intricate engineering job that tries to balance structural integrity by digging a tunnel wide enough to fit several workers coming in and out.
It's not your typical plumbing job, and you'll see with this quick guide through the tunneling process:
Initial Inspection
A thorough assessment of the foundation is conducted to determine the extent of the damage through slab leak detection or a general underground plumbing diagnosis, as well as an assessment of where the worst settlement issue is.
Determine access and path
After the exact location of the issue is placed and conventional repair methods are ruled out, then it’s time to review the best access points for the under slab tunneling process. The path is also determined to avoid disrupting utility lines, drain lines, or any piping that isn’t involved in the repairs as much as possible and to create the safest tunneling environment for workers.
Tunneling Portion
Specialized equipment is used to create tunnels beneath the property, allowing workers to access the foundation for repairs. In some sections, digging by hand might be necessary, but this is taken into account in the planning stages.
Repair Work
Skilled technicians utilize the tunnels to fix the foundation issues, such as cracks or settlement, using appropriate techniques and materials. Once the job is done, but before backfilling begins, tests will be made to see if the work was successful, like pressure testing the pipes in plumbing repairs.
Reinforcement
Additional support piers may be added along the length of the tunnel to strengthen the foundation and prevent future stability problems.
Backfilling and Restoration
Once the repairs are completed, the tunnels are filled, and the property is restored to its original condition
Call Above All Foundation Repair to See if Under-Slab Tunneling Is Right For Your Property
Considering the structural integrity of your property, contacting Above All Foundation Repair to explore the suitability of under-slab tunneling for your foundation repair needs is a smart first step. Homeowners looking to address foundation issues in their properties should weigh the benefits of under-slab tunneling. This method can effectively repair foundation problems without extensive surface damage to the floor finishes or disrupting your home life too much. By consulting with an experienced foundation repair company like ours, homeowners can gain insights into how tunneling can address their foundation concerns effectively and efficiently.
Contact Above All Foundation Repair at (210) 750-6295 today to see if tunneling is the right choice for your property’s foundation repair needs!
Frequently Asked Questions
The duration of the tunneling process varies depending on factors such as the complexity of the repair, the size of the project, and the condition of the foundation. Typically, this process can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks to complete. For example, a professional foundation repair crew can dig about 6 to 8 feet deep a day, and backfilling the tunnel again might take half or one day at the most. But each case will be different.
They’re filled back again, of course. This is an important part of tunnel work, probably more important than digging the tunnels in the first place. You can’t leave any unsupported voids or loose soil there. This is why hiring experts in foundation repair and underground tunneling is crucial. It has to be properly compacted and left better than before.
Potential risks or complications associated with tunneling include soil instability, water seepage, utility line damage, and structural issues. Proper planning, monitoring, and skilled professionals will mitigate these challenges, ensuring a successful project.
No. We can’t recommend you do this at all. Not only is the workload too much for a single person, you require some heavy machinery to execute the project, machinery that you might not even use afterward. Any foundation repair job is a multiple-person job and should be handled by an expert team with specialized instruments. On top of that, you need to dig fast. A single person or just two will take longer to dig those tunnels, leaving your home or property susceptible to further damage and putting your own life at risk.
It depends on each case, the landscaping, the type of problem, where it’s located, and many other factors that can truly only be detailed in a quote from a professional. As we mentioned above, it’s not always the most expensive solution and might even be the most cost-effective in many cases.
Ensuring the long-term stability of a foundation post-under-slab tunneling may involve periodic inspections by professionals to check for any signs of movement, settling, or water intrusion. Regular maintenance, such as addressing drainage issues, can help uphold the foundation’s integrity.
