Madole Construction Q&A

Crawlspace encapsulation refers to the addition of a heavy-duty moisture barrier to the dirt floor of your crawl space, sealed foundation vents, insulated walls, and special crawl space dehumidifiers.

A dehumidifier is an electrical device that reduces and maintains humidity levels in the air. The appliance works by extracting water from the air.

A girder is a support beam used in construction. It is the main horizontal support of a structure which supports smaller beams. Girders often have an I-Beam cross section composed of two load-bearing flanges separated by a stabilizing web, but may also have a box shape, Z shape, or other forms.

A Helical Pier is a foundation pin made of steel that contains helices just like screws. It is driven into the soil, to depths below the frost line by use of a hydraulic system.

Micropiles, also know as minipiles, pin piles, needle piles, and root piles, are a deep foundation element constructed using high-strength, small-diameter steel casing and/or threaded bars. Micorpiles can serve to "stitch" the soil together within predicted shear zones to enhance mass stability.

Retaining walls are relatively rigid walls used for supporting soil laterally so that it can be retained at different levels on the two sides. Retaining walls are often found in places where extra support is needed to prevent the earth from moving downhill with erosion.

fully-adjustable steel pier. Designed to stop settling and can raise your sagging floor back to the proper level. Steel piers can be easily adjusted if future settling occurs.

A sump pump is a device that moves water from your basement or crawlspace, to the outside of your home. A sump is a naturally constructed pit, usually a hole carved below the main surface of your basement or crawlspace floor. A sump pump is a mechanism that detects elevating water levels in the basin. The pit made to hold the sump pump is called the basin. When the switch is activated by rising water levels, the pump turns on and directs water into a discharge pipe and away from the home's foundation.

An I-Beam is a girder which has the shape of an "I" when viewed in section. I-Beams are usually the critical support trusses in structural steel construction. I-Beams are almost always used in the construction of large structures, such as warehouses and large buildings.

A drainage board, or drainage mat, helps water flow away from the foundation. Without it, water can stay trapped against the concrete or pool at the bottom. Drainage mats come with a dimpled design that lets water accumulate and flow away, creating an air gap.

NexusPro is a silicone-based sealant that seals joints and cracks in your concrete slab and help prevent the water from softening and/or eroding the soil underneath

PolyLevel permanently lifts and stabilizes sinking concrete slabs with a high-density polyurethane formula. Small (pea-sized) holes are drilled into the slab, and a structural-grade polymer is injected into the void. The expanding properties of the polyurethane allow for an accurate lift and leveling of the slab.

SealantPro is a highly versatile silicone-based, penetrating concrete sealant. It's primary function is to keep moisture, and other chemicals from being absorbed into the concrete, which can cause it to deteriorate, particularly through freeze/thaw cycles.

Shotcrete is a method of applying concrete projected at high velocity primarily on to a vertical or overhead surface. The Impact created by the application consolidates the concrete.

TerraBlock is a high-performance crawl space insulation that includes a durable moisture barrier. The 3/4-in thick sheet material can be installed directly over any type of crawl space floor, providing a clean, dry surface that helps the home to be more comfortable and energy efficient.