Foundation Settlement and Wall Repair in Nashua, NH

Tuesday, April 28th, 2026 by Marcus Girard

Challenge

A homeowner began noticing troubling signs inside their home, including a crack radiating from a living room window and doors and windows that had become increasingly difficult to open and close. These symptoms pointed to potential structural movement within the foundation system. Concerned about the long-term safety and performance of the home, the homeowner contacted Erickson Foundation Solutions for a professional evaluation.

Previous attempts to address the problem included sealing visible interior foundation cracks. While this cosmetic repair temporarily improved appearance, it failed to address the root cause—ongoing foundation movement. Without proper stabilization or load transfer, the structural distress continued to progress, allowing cracks to propagate through the foundation wall and extend to the exterior.

As the cracks widened and broke through the home’s exterior barrier, groundwater infiltration became a serious concern. Moisture entered the basement through these compromised areas, increasing the risk of damage to stored belongings and degrading the interior environment. The homeowner’s priorities were clear: stop foundation movement, restore structural stability, and permanently eliminate pathways for water intrusion.

A System Design Specialist conducted a thorough on-site inspection, evaluating crack patterns, signs of settlement, wall movement, and overall structural conditions. The assessment confirmed that the home was experiencing differential settlement paired with lateral foundation wall pressure.

Because the prior crack sealing had not included any structural reinforcement, the foundation continued to shift under load. To properly resolve the issue, the solution needed to both transfer the home’s weight to stable soil and stabilize the affected foundation wall against lateral forces.

Based on the findings, a multi-system approach was designed to deliver comprehensive correction and long-term protection:

15 Push Piers to stabilize and lift the settling foundation
4 GeoLock® Wall Anchors to permanently resist lateral wall movement
14 linear feet of injection crack sealant to restore the foundation’s water barrier

Together, these systems addressed the cause of the movement, not just the symptoms.

Solution

Push Pier System: Settlement Stabilization & Lift

The primary concern was vertical foundation settlement. To correct this, push piers were installed beneath the home’s footing along the affected areas.

Pier Installation & Load Transfer

Each push pier bracket was secured to the foundation footing, and high-strength steel pier sections were hydraulically advanced into the ground. The piers were driven downward until they reached competent, load-bearing soil or bedrock, effectively bypassing weak and unstable near-surface soils.

This approach permanently transferred the weight of the home away from unreliable soils and onto deeper, stable strata capable of supporting the structure long-term.

Controlled Foundation Lift

Once all 15 push piers were installed, they were hydraulically synchronized and carefully pressurized in unison. This controlled lift process allowed the home to be raised toward its original elevation in a uniform manner.

By lifting gradually and evenly, structural alignment was improved while minimizing stress on the foundation walls, framing, and interior finishes. The result was restored load distribution and a stabilized foundation system designed to prevent future settlement.

GeoLock® Wall Anchors: Lateral Wall Stabilization

In addition to settlement, lateral pressure from surrounding soils had contributed to foundation wall movement and cracking. To address this, GeoLock® wall anchors were installed at strategic locations.

Exterior Excavation & Anchor Placement

Exterior excavation was performed to create properly sized trenches for the installation of the GeoLock® system. High-strength steel threaded rods were advanced through the foundation wall and extended outward into the excavated areas.

In stable, undisturbed soil, GeoLock® earth anchors were embedded and secured to the rods. These anchors are engineered to resist significant lateral forces, creating a dependable anchorage point beyond the active pressure zone near the foundation.

Interior Tensioning & Load Resistance

On the interior, GeoLock® anchor plates were mounted to the rods and torqued to engineered specifications. This tensioning process transferred lateral soil pressure away from the foundation wall and into the stable exterior soil mass.

Once engaged, the system arrested further wall movement and provided long-term lateral stabilization. GeoLock® aesthetic covers were installed over the interior plates for a clean, finished appearance.

Injection Crack Sealant: Moisture Protection

With all structural stabilization systems in place, attention turned to repairing the compromised foundation cracks.

Fourteen linear feet of injection crack sealant were installed along the affected areas. Unlike prior cosmetic repairs, this crack sealing was performed after stabilization, ensuring the repair would remain intact.

The injected sealant fully penetrated the cracks, restoring the foundation wall’s moisture barrier and preventing future groundwater intrusion. With movement eliminated, the crack repair can now perform as intended for the long term.

Final Restoration & Site Completion

All concrete removed during the push pier installation was restored to its original grade. Exterior trench areas were carefully backfilled and compacted to maintain soil integrity and proper drainage around the home.

Final Outcome

By integrating push piers, GeoLock® wall anchors, and professional crack sealing, the foundation was fully stabilized both vertically and laterally. Settlement was corrected, wall movement was eliminated, and the foundation’s water barrier was restored.

What began as visible cracking, sticking doors, and moisture intrusion is now a secure, stabilized foundation system engineered to protect the home for decades. The homeowner gained lasting peace of mind, knowing the underlying structural issues were resolved—not just covered up—with permanent, professionally engineered solutions.