Helical Piers Stabilize Addition in Oberlin, OH
Challenge
A homeowner in Oberlin, OH noticed vertical and horizontal cracking on the block foundation of the addition. Additionally, he noticed the corners where the house and addition were attached was pulling apart and cracking. These are all signs that the addition of the house was sinking into the ground below. Settlement is the movement the home experiences when the soil underneath can no longer support its weight. This structural concern needed addressed before it got worse. The customer found that Cleveland Basement Systems was their local foundation repair expert and was quickly scheduled with a free in-home estimate.
Solution
The inspector arrived to the free estimate and affirmed that the addition of the home was settling due to poor soil. He explained to the customer that installing helical piers are great for stabilizing a lighter structure such as an addition and will bring it back towards its original position. Helical piers include helix blades that disturb less soil and go much deeper into load-bearing soil than non-helix systems. This galvanized system will not rust and its round shaft design resists bending.
On the day of install, the crew began working on stabilizing the foundation. They began by removing the soil around the addition where the piers would be installed. Using special hydraulic equipment, the first pier section is drilled into the ground. Additional steel sections are added to extend the piers until they reach the best, load-bearing soil. A steel foundation bracket is connected to the helical piers and then attached to the footing of the foundation. The weight is now on strong, weigh-bearing soil instead of weak dirt. As a below-grade solution, the helical piers are hidden from sight one the installers put the soil back over the work site.
This customer can now rest assured that the addition of his home is permanently stabilized!
Project Summary
Production Manager: Dan
Product: Helical Piers
