Sinking Porch
Differential settlement of the footings compromised the effectiveness of the wood support system, leading to measurable settlement of the porch structure.
Helical Piers
The failed footings were removed and replaced with helical piers installed beneath the porch. These piers were advanced to competent load-bearing soils, providing a stable foundation system designed to permanently support the porch and mitigate future settlement.
Footings Cast to Helical Piers
Reinforced concrete footings were cast around the helical piers to create a level, uniform bearing surface for the installation of the porch's wood support posts.
Support Posts Placed on Cured Footings
Upon curing of the reinforced concrete footings, the wood support posts were installed and carefully sized to provide full bearing contact between the new footings and the porch beam, ensuring proper load transfer throughout the support system.
Support Posts Secured to Porch
Engineered post-connection brackets were installed at the top and bottom of each support post, providing positive mechanical attachment to the porch beam and footing system for improved structural performance.
Failing Basement Support Posts
The basement floor system was supported by existing wood posts and temporary support columns that were not designed to provide a permanent structural solution. Due to their limited load-bearing capacity and overall condition, a more robust support system was required to adequately stabilize the floor framing and address floor sagging.
Supplemental Beam
A supplemental beam was installed perpendicular to the floor joists to redistribute floor loads across multiple support points, ensuring the load would be evenly transferred to the SmartJack® support system upon installation.
SmartJack Footing with Rebar
Reinforced concrete footings were installed beneath each SmartJack® location, creating a durable bearing surface capable of distributing structural loads and preventing settlement under concentrated loads.
SmartJack Installed on Footings
After the reinforced concrete footings had achieved the required cure strength, the SmartJack® supports were installed on the footings and carefully positioned plumb beneath the supplemental beam to ensure proper load transfer and structural support.
SmartJack Secured to Supplemental Beam
The SmartJack® system features fully adjustable steel columns that allow for precise elevation adjustments, enabling optimal support of the floor framing and helping to reduce floor deflection.
SmartJacks Cemented into Foundation Floor
Once properly positioned and adjusted, the SmartJack® supports were secured to the foundation floor with concrete, establishing a stable bearing connection and preventing displacement under load.
Completed SmartJack Installation
Constructed from corrosion-resistant galvanized steel, the SmartJack® support system is designed for long-term durability in basement and crawl space environments. The system can be periodically benchmarked and monitored for any future movement, while the heavy-duty columns provide reliable structural support that restores the integrity and performance of the floor system.
