When it comes to foundation repair, it is important to use quality materials to give your home the integrity it needs to stay standing, and remain undamaged for as long as it is possible. When it comes to the necessities to build and uphold a foundation, and thus the house it rests below, steel and concrete almost undoubtedly come to mind. While these materials are potent and durable, there is something even more capable for many situations: Carbon Fiber.
Now, at face value, “Carbon Fiber,” probably doesn’t mean much, especially in the eyes of somebody who just needs the work done and doesn’t care about the details, but there are many who tend to stay on the more curious side, and for those individuals, keep reading for a bit of a rundown!
To start, carbon fiber is not just a single fiber, but more often a strand of material that consists of multiple small carbon filaments that make up a larger item, whether it be a hair-like thin strip, or even sometimes in the form of a telephone pole size rod. Carbon fiber is generally a more expensive option than base steel alternatives, but the quality it ensures definitely more than makes up for that. This material is incredibly durable, widely tested and recognized as being five times more so than steel, and because of its filament based composition, it is also capable of being flexible when it needs to, which gives the user many options for repairs if they use carbon fiber over the alternatives.
Carbon fiber is so good in many cases, that small amounts are generally the best option. Steel typically works just fine for many instances in the foundation repair world, and as such, it is unethical to pay the larger amounts for full blown carbon fiber support, but Rhino Foundation Systems has begun to use carbon fiber in other ways to assist in foundation repairs.
Two of the most common repair uses of carbon fiber are as follows with brief explanations of their use:
- Carbon fiber staples can be used in conjunction with an injection based material (think mud or epoxy) to keep a cracked section of a wall or ceiling from tearing even more.
- Carbon fiber straps can be used to keep a realigned wall in check so it becomes unable to bow any further than it may have.
Rhino Foundation Systems works to use both of these techniques to their full effectiveness. For more of an in-depth look at Carbon Fiber, visit the Carbon Fiber page here.
