Options for Repair

Cracked Walls

In order to prevent cracked walls from getting worse, or from bowing inward as a result of soil pressures, carbon fiber reinforcers are installed. These reinforcers have a tensil strength 10 times greater than the expanding soil pressure. Basically, because the carbon fiber reinforcers cannot stretch, the interior of the wall cannot expand, therefore preventing the wall from bowing inward. The reinforcers strengthen the wall in the area where the cracking exists. They are very thin, so they can be easily covered or simply painted over.

Bowing Walls

Bowing walls are stabilized with wall anchors. Wall anchors are anchor plates secured to the interior facing of the basement wall on one side, and stable soils on the exterior side. These anchors are connected by rod with screw threads on the interior wall side. Once the anchor is in place, it is possible to straighten the wall by consistently tightening the nut on the screw on the interior anchor plate. In extreme situations, the exterior is excavated, and the straightening process is more immediate. Once the wall is back in place, it is secured by the anchor system, and the area is back filled.

Settling Foundations

Foundations that have settled into the soils underneath, are secured by creating a brace (a pier) that is driven deep into stable soils or bedrock. This pier is secured to the underside of the foundations footing using a thick steel bracket. When installed, the foundation is resting on a series of these piers, which in turn transfer the weight of that foundation into stable soils, preventing further settlement. In some cases, assuming that repairs to the cracks and other damage created by settlement, have been not yet been repaired, it is possible to raise the foundation with these piers, restoring it to its original elevation. The primary purpose of piering is the permanent stabilization of the foundation.

Slab Foundations

Cracked and settling slab foundations utilized the same process as foundations supported with footings. Piers are installed into the areas of the settled slab. These piers are forced into stable soils, and the slab is lifted back to its original level. The slab is now supported by the piers, which again transfer the weight of the slab to more stable soils. Once complete, it is impossible for the slab to settle again.

Crawl Spaces

Crawl Spaces are re-supported with a heavy duty jack system. This system does not allow the same problems to occur that contributed to the settling supports under the first floor of the crawl space. This system is installed to create a stable unsettling base. The jacks are then used to stabilize, or even raise the beams and floor joists above. Once in place, settling crawl space problems are eliminated. If moisture was one of the contributing factors to settlement problems, moisture control products are used to eliminate this problem.

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