Just what it sounds like…it is the process of stabilizing the soil under a home, driveway, swimming pool, retaining wall etc…without causing major intrusion or disruption of the homeowner’s life. In simplest terms, a special liquid stabilizer is mixed with water and then injected under high pressure into the soil around and beneath the home. The technique allows the treatment to cover every square foot of soil, without excavating the foundation, and making a mess of your property. Remedial soil stabilization usually takes only 2 to 4 days, and is virtually undetectable after completion. While there are several stabilizers that can be injected, there are distinct differences in them that you will learn about as you read this guide.

Electro-chemical Stabilization of Clay Soils

Chemical soil stabilization, using agents other than lime such as Condor SS, has been in use in the past 35 years, with more roads being built in South America and Europe by this method than in the United States. Sulphonated Petroleum-Based Ion Exchangers are the most commonly selected chemical stabilizers because they are effective for a wide variety of soil types and climate zones for treating the base and sub-base for roads, highways, airfields, parking lots and storage areas. Most recently, this type of stabilization is seeing expanded use among residential developers and contractors, resulting in stabilized homes, pools, driveways etc. This has greatly reduced warranty claims against homebuilders operating in areas rich in clay-contaminated soils.  Chemical soil stabilization can save much of the costs of construction because it greatly reduces the amount of crushed rock, sand, or gravel normally used in stabilization. Not only that, Condor SS can even eliminate the cost of expensive piers. User reports have demonstrated that roads and highways built on chemically-stabilized bases and sub-bases require only a fraction of the maintenance normally required, and therefore enjoy further savings going forward.

Can it replace piers and underpinning of foundations?

Yes, in many situations it can! Many building foundations have appeared to fail when the failure is not caused by inadequate support from the soil. Most foundations have been conservatively designed to support the building loads. That being said, the assumption is that the soil will have adequate strength and stability during both wet and dry conditions. Virtually all soils will have adequate strength when dry; however, their load carrying strength will drop when the soil is wet. Anyone who has ever stepped in wet soil knows that! If the foundation has moved after construction, it could be that the soil has become either wetter or drier than when the foundation was built. If the soil beneath or around the foundation contains a large amount of clay, it is a known fact that changes to the foundation will result when water is absorbed or extracted from the soil.  Use of a proven soil stabilizer such as Condor SS will actually make the soil stronger during seasonal fluctuations in moisture. The strength enhancement properties can make the soil have stable predictable compressive strengths.

Treatment of residential building foundations is gaining in popularity, as more states are requiring longer warranties for homebuyers. This prevents a challenge to builders struggling with the destructive effects of clay-contaminated soil. More often than not, the time and expense of providing ‘select fill’, availability of fill, and a host of other factors make stabilization of the existing soil with products like CONDOR SS the logical choice on many levels. Earth Science Products warranties CONDOR SS, when applied according to manufacturer’s instructions, for a period of ten years. With additional pre and post-injection testing at minimal expense, a lifetime warranty is available. Before the introduction of CONDOR SS, developers and contractors have simply been unable to enjoy the level of confidence that chemical stabilization provides. Without CONDOR SS, the developer/builder is exposed to the risk of lawsuits, buybacks and other profit-consuming consequences. Land that was previously dismissed as too problematic for building becomes not only usable, but also valuable, increasing availability of developable land and holding down costs to all parties. Soil stabilization with CONDOR SS brings value exceeding its costs.

What is the installation process like?

Existing homes are the most recent beneficiaries of the effects of CONDOR SS Soil Stabilizer. With light, trailer-mounted injection rigs, that are easily maneuvered in residential neighborhoods, and the assurance of quality provided by factory-trained and licensed injection contractors, many homeowners are realizing the numerous benefits of chemical stabilization with CONDOR SS. Chief among them are less mess, minimal or no excavation, faster completion and greatly reduced cost versus conventional remedies like piers and extensive drainage systems. The diluted CONDOR SS product is injected into the soil using high-pressure pumps. The injection rods are only about 1/2" in diameter, so the hole made in the soil is less than 1-inch in size. These small holes will fill in after a period of time. Compare this to large excavations required for piers.

Most homes can be stabilized by treating the most active area around a home, which is the outer 4-5 feet. Studies in the past have shown that the upper 4-5 feet of the soil and an area 4-5 feet under a flat slab, such as a driveway, will be subjected to the most significant moisture changes. For this reason, most existing homes can be effectively stabilized by treating just the perimeter of the home. When treating the perimeter of a home, Soil Stabilization of Oklahoma will make three injection passes, 3-feet on centers in a staggered pattern, around the entire perimeter. The one pass is a vertical injection right next to the foundation wall, the next pass is a vertical injection 3 feet out from the foundation, and the last pass is at a 30-45 degree slant. This allows treatment of an area up to 3 feet outside of the foundation wall 8-10 feet deep and 3-4 feet inside of the foundation. This then stabilizes all of the soil in the most active zones.

In the cases where there is truly significant movement of a floor slab or central portions of a home, the area beneath the slab can be treated also. This requires that 3/4" holes 3-4 feet on centers be drilled in the floor slab for injection of the Condor SS. This will require removal and reinstallation of floor coverings. Depending upon the floor plan of the home, some small areas such as closets, bathrooms, and hallways may not require floor covering removal as they can be injected using a slant injection.

Is Condor SS Environmentally Safe?

With substances like lime and potassium chloride and some other chemicals, the potential environmental damage is a major factor when weighing the decision to inject these chemicals. CONDOR SS warrants no such concern. Once diluted for injection, CONDOR SS is as harmless to your family, environment, vegetation, pets and local watersheds as potable water. CONDOR SS has been deemed safe by the Washington Dept. of Fish and Game, and the California Dept. of Fish and Game.  For your piece of mind, EPA certified lab reports are also available at: www.earthscienceproducts.com