Dawson Foundation Repair - Drilling And Belling, The Second Step Of Foundation Repair - Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio

The Job Site: Drilling And Belling

Once the holes are deep enough to begin motorized drilling, two man teams dig down to the stable soil beneath the slab. Once stable soil is reached, workers create the distinctive "bell" which give bell bottom piers such great stability. Steel rebar is custom cut and welded for each pier before being inserted into the holes. Fresh concrete is poured and carefully reinforced with steel to insure strength and durability, and finally left to dry.

Click here to see the next step.

The motorized dig requires a two man team to hold, guide and remove the digging auger.	The concrete that ultimately fills this hole will be reinforced with steel rebar.
This is the bell bottom tool that is used to shape the bottom of the hole.	The men must remove the soil from the interior of the tool, a process that is repeated until the bell bottom base is completed.
Plywood boards are always placed under our tools and heavy equipment to protect the homeowner's lawn.	This photograph shows the bell bottom digging tool with its flanges fully extended. This is the "secret" of digging "Bell Bottoms" at the bottom of a hole.
The steel rebar is assembled and ready to be cut to the proper length.	Since each job is different, the steel rebar must be cut to match the depth of the soon-to-be formed bell bottom pier.
Shorter lengths of steel rebar are tied together to be placed in the upper portion or cap of the pier.	Two of these rebar mats will be placed in the upper portion of each bell bottom pier.
As soon as the concrete arrives, the men begin to load it into wheelbarrows.	Depending on the depth, each bell bottom pier will require multiple loads of concrete.
The supervisor inspects the concrete and then inserts the steel rebar into the shaft of the bell bottom pier.	Steel rebar is being put into the upper portion of the bell bottom pier.
The entire work area is cleaned by the work crew.	The driveway is scrubed and washed thoroughly.
All of the dirt that was excavated for the new piers is hauled away within 24 hours.