HomeSpec Waterproofing and Foundation Repair Case Studies: Sinking Foundation in Gagetown, Mi due to Settlement Issues Solved.
Challenge
A Gagetown, Mi homeowner had discovered major cracks on both the interior and exterior of their property and were growing more concerned that the foundation would continue to fail and cause bigger problems. A reasonable concern for any homeowner, especially while considering they had one of the most common signs of foundation issues for property and homes, staircase-like crack patterns on walls. Other regular signs of possible foundation issues or settlement include floor cracks, cracks in interior drywall, and difficult to open/close doors or windows. To develop a full understanding of their situation and learn what the best course of action would be to resolve matters, the homeowner reached out to HomeSpec Basementfix as a reputable foundation repair contractor nearby.
We would send one of our experienced project managers specialized in foundation repair to meet with the family and provide a proper inspection of the property. We would explain that foundations usually settle unevenly, causing damage to walls and floors that can eventually lead to failure if not addressed. What was particularly noteworthy in this case was the fact that the stair-like crack pattern wasn't only along the interior, but also surrounding the exterior basement windows. The evidence of foundation problems was readily abundant in this case, and we detailed each one and what it meant so the homeowner had a full understanding from start to finish.
Solution
For this case, we needed a versatile solution that could be utilized either externally or internally, depending on the homeowner's preference, to help lift the home back to its proper level, while being a powerful enough permanent solution to prevent future damage as well. To fulfill these needs, we proposed the use of a helical pier system. Using helical plates along the shaft to help penetrate and screw into the ground, while capable of having extensions added to help find deeper depths for load-bearing soils, this solution set is in fact capable of both internal and external installation. Due to their versatile nature, they can also be installed below the grade of a home to help conceal any signs of having had work done. These piers are engineered from galvanized steel with a zinc coating to help protect them from weathering, erosion, and other natural causes of support degradation, making them incredibly reliable. Once they are attached to a home with their steel brackets and find a suitable new layer of load-bearing soil or bedrock, the weight of the home is transferred from the compromised soil in the active area to the new support area.
Being able to have the installation conducted on the interior of the homes basement foundation walls made them far more comfortable with the process as a whole and they were very appreciative of the clean finish from our crew's finalization of the project. We had the previous cracks effectively sealed along the foundation walls with the use of FlexiSpan sealant, which is a waterproof solution that adheres to and adjusts along with the natural movement of walls over time to ensure a long-term solution. With all their needs effectively met, and fears alleviated, this homeowner would go on to recommend us to a friend in the future, which we greatly appreciated!
