Soil Erosion Leads To Foundation Problems and How Our Team Solved Them in Kingsley, PA

Monday, February 27th, 2023 by Candice Yohey

Challenge

Underneath this Kingsley, PA building, the concrete pillars no longer provided adequate support. Eroded soil caused the pillars to shift away from the support beam, and some separated completely. As soil erosion occurs, the ground shifts and becomes less stable, weakening the pillars and preventing them from supporting the structure. This could result in a potentially dangerous situation. The building is part of a Girl Scout camp that is no longer operating. In preparation for restoring the building to its former glory, the customer wanted it fully supported, stabilized, and safe.

Solution

After a free, no-obligation evaluation, our foundation repair professionals identified the areas of the foundation that had suffered damage, and they outlined a plan to identify and fix the source of the problem. The team worked to restore the integrity of the foundation, making sure it was structurally sound and safe.There were some wooden support beams that became unstable as a result of excessive moisture. Steel supplemental support beams were installed as an additional means of support. The extra moisture weakened the wood, causing it to rot and sag, and steel beams were put in place to provide extra stability. This ensures that the structure remains secure and safe.

In order to install the SmartJack Support Posts, the crew first excavated holes at the appropriate width and depth for each location. The SmartJack Support Posts are designed to be corrosion-resistant and to provide a more secure, long-term solution than traditional support posts. They are also able to bear more weight, so they provide an extra layer of security to the structure and ensure that it remains stable and secure.

Engineered fill was then compacted into the hole before a 12-inch steel SmartJack base was set. This process helps to improve the soil's bearing capacity, which is the ability to support the weight of the home and prevent settling. The SmartJack base also provides additional support for the foundation. Upon setting the base, the crew measured, cut, and assembled the steel SmartJack posts and top component brackets. They then bolted them to the existing support beams and the additional steel supplemental beams. This enabled the crew to ensure that the SmartJack posts were properly aligned to maintain the stability and integrity of the structure. The top brackets were also necessary to ensure that the added steel beams were securely fastened to the existing support beams.

The SmartJacks were connected to the supplemental beams and the crew tightened the system and proceeded to lift. This process of aligning the SmartJacks and securing them to the existing support beams was critical. Using this process, the crew was able to adjust the height of the structure and ensure that it was stable and level.

Foundation problems can affect your home's safety, appearance, and value. Liberty Basement Systems specializes in foundation repair services for basements, crawl spaces, slab foundations, and settling and sinking foundations. We use the highest quality foundation repair products and methods to fix foundation cracks, bowing walls, and sinking foundations. Among them are foundation piers, wall anchors, support jacks, crack repairs, and more. If you're experiencing foundation issues in your home, we have the solutions you need! To learn more about our foundation repair services or to schedule a FREE estimate, give us a call today! (570)-998-4540