Loose Fieldstone Foundation Wall
The absence of a proper footing, combined with decades of soil pressure and foundation movement, caused this fieldstone wall to settle and progressively shift inward. Visible signs of structural distress, including displaced stones, widening cracks, and wall deformation, indicated that the foundation was no longer adequately supporting the home. To permanently stabilize the structure and restore its load-bearing capacity, a comprehensive foundation repair solution was required.
Footing Formwork
Formwork was carefully constructed along the perimeter of the foundation and reinforced with steel rebar to create the framework for a new structural concrete footing. This preparation ensured proper footing dimensions, reinforcement placement, and load distribution, providing a solid foundation for the subsequent wall stabilization work.
PowerBraces
PowerBrace™ beams were installed to provide immediate resistance against further inward wall movement caused by lateral soil pressure. As part of the StableLock® auxiliary wall system, these steel beams serve as the structural framework of the new reinforced wall, helping transfer loads and creating a rigid support system that permanently stabilizes the existing foundation.
Poured Footing
High-strength concrete was placed to form a reinforced structural footing, providing a stable load-bearing base for the foundation system. This new footing enhances the wall's ability to resist settlement and structural movement, ensuring long-term stability and support for the home's foundation.
Rebar
Steel reinforcing rebar was strategically integrated between the PowerBrace™ beams to create a reinforced framework for the StableLock® auxiliary wall system. Once encased in concrete, the rebar works in conjunction with the steel beams to enhance the wall's tensile strength, improve load distribution, and form a monolithic reinforced structure capable of providing long-term foundation stabilization.
Auxiliary Wall Forms
Custom formwork was constructed to establish the precise dimensions and alignment of the StableLock® auxiliary wall. Once the forms were in place, high-strength concrete was placed and carefully consolidated around the reinforcing steel framework, then finished to the specified elevation and thickness. This process created a reinforced structural wall designed to provide permanent support, resist lateral soil pressures, and restore the foundation's long-term stability.
StableLock Auxiliary Wall
After the concrete had fully cured and achieved its design strength, the formwork was removed to reveal the completed StableLock® auxiliary wall. The reinforced concrete wall, integrated with the PowerBrace™ system and structural footing, now provides permanent support to the existing fieldstone foundation, preventing further inward movement and restoring the wall's structural stability for the long term.
SmartJack
To address inadequate support beneath the floor system, a SmartJack® support post was installed beneath the home's main beam. Over time, insufficient structural support had allowed the beam to deflect, resulting in sagging and uneven floors above. The SmartJack system provides a high-capacity, engineered support solution with adjustable steel components that allow for precise elevation corrections. By transferring loads to a stable foundation and enabling accurate adjustment of the beam's position, the system restores structural support and helps stabilize the floor system for long-term performance.
