Wall Leveled and Stabilized in Rothsay, MN

Wednesday, August 30th, 2023 by Ella Wiebusch

Challenge

Mike, a homeowner in Rothsay, MN, needed support for his home's basement space. The wall in the basement was failing, and he could see daylight through the cracking mortar. To top it off, his back steps were consequently uneven due to the foundation issues. He decided to call American Waterworks and claimed his FREE estimate, entitling him to a thorough inspection of the issue. Our Design Specialist, Richie, headed to the property and did a full walkthrough, making sure to give recommendations based on how we can tackle the issue to prevent the basement walls from worsening. Once the entire inspection was complete and Richie had all the information he needed, he explained to Mike how we could help. Mike was excited to begin and see how we would transform the space.

Solution

Foreman Domenic and his crew arrived at the property soon after to get started. First, they ensured the area was cleared and prepped for work. Mike had decided to invest in our PolyLevel solution for his back steps; the product is an expanding polyurethane foam that is injected underneath concrete to fill the voids underneath the slab that were caused by soil erosion. Next, the team began installing our SmartJack system. Our SmartJack system is made to provide support for oversized or sagging beams, restoring stability and straightness. The team added one of our SmartJacks along the support beam of the home. Before installing the SmartJack, the production team dug a hole two feet deep. Then they backfilled the hole with engineer fill which is designed to dissipate the amount of force the SmartJack is experiencing. Finally, the team used seven of our GeoLock Wall Anchors along the north, east, and west walls to correct the issue and prevent it from worsening. This innovative system permanently stabilizes foundation walls by anchoring them to the hard-packed virgin soil beyond the foundation. The anchors can also be tightened over time. Mike was happy with the results of the project and grateful he no longer has to worry about the state of his home.