Heaving Basement Wall Straightened In Hendrum, MN

Before	After

Laurie and Darrell of Hendrum, MN, were concerned with the state of their basement, as cracks appeared on the floor and the wall. These were signs of the wall heaving upward, which Is a result of the upward movement of a foundation or slab caused by underlying soils that expand or swell. This occurs due to an increase in moisture or by freezing forces. The couple was referred to our team by a realtor, so our office staff contacted them and scheduled a FREE Estimate with our Design Specialist, Kole. Kole went to their house to inspect the cracks and devise a solution. The customers were comfortable with the proposal and got all of their questions answered, so they went ahead with the project. 

Our Foreman and his team began the installation by breaking out the concrete perimeter of the basement floor, forming a trench. In the trench, our team installed our WaterGuard System, designed to collect water seepage from basement wall cracks, prevent water clogs, and serve as an underground drain leading to the outside of the home. To complete the installation, our crew covered the open gaps with rock and applied new concrete over the rock and WaterGuard. Next, our crew installed our SuperSump Pump, a sump pump designed to keep basements clean and dry for long periods, especially during heavy thunderstorms or flooding. Then, they installed a discharge line from the sump pump to our IceGuard System outside of the home. The IceGuard is a waterproofing system that provides an extra block of protection against basement flooding, especially when freezing temperatures are problematic. 

The team also installed 13 GeoLock Anchors (6 on the South wall and seven on the North) by digging holes outside the home and installing a metal rod in each hole going through the foundation. After installing a metal rod, they proceeded to attach one of the GeoLock Anchors to the end of the rod, allowing the wall to be pulled back to its original position.  Over time, these anchors may be tightened to ensure the rods are effective and stabilize the home's structure. After the installation, the production crew backfilled the holes and replaced the soil to its original look. Laurie and Darrell loved the new and improved basement and are happy that the foundation of their home is no longer in any danger!

Basement Near Failure in Hendrum, MN

Before	After

Over time a homeowner in Hendrum, MN, noticed their walls began to separate and bend. Knowing the project could not be held off anymore, the homeowner looked for a company to help the situation. Following a referral from a neighbor, the homeowners signed up for their FREE estimate. American Waterworks sent out our Design Specialist, Kole, to evaluate the situation. Kole recommended that the walls be stabilized with PowerBraces, WaterGuard, and a new sump pump be installed, and CleanSpace be set in place. Knowing the severity of their situation, the homeowners agreed and construction began.  Foreman, Dylan, and his crew began the project by excavating the walls and straightening the bowing walls immediately. Due to the ducting on the east and west walls, the crew installed C-Channel anchors. On the north and south walls, the crew put in place nine PowerBraces. The crew then moved their focus to installing the WaterGuards on the perimeter of the basement. Additionally, the crew replaced the old sump pump with the TripleSafe sump pump and tied it to the new water system. Following the waterproofing, the crew installed the CleanSpace Wall System on the newly straightened and stabilized basement walls. The homeowner was ecstatic that their family home had been saved and was safe. American Waterworks is glad to provide another family peace of mind. 

Crawl Space Supported in Hendrum, MN

Before	After

Wayne, a homeowner in Hendrum, MN, was concerned about the state of his crawlspace. The space had a floor joist cut through while the plumbing was installed in the bathroom, causing the floor to settle. After looking at what American Waterworks does, he scheduled a FREE Estimate with our Design Specialist, Kole. Kole went to the home to inspect the problem and devise a solution. Following a thorough examination, Kole recommended that Wayne invest in our crawl space support posts. Specifically, Kole shared about our SmartJack Crawl Space Support System. Wayne was confident in the solution presented, so he proceeded with the project.

Our crew, led by our Fargo Field Supervisor, Corey, headed to the property shortly after and got to work. First, they installed a 6' supplemental support beam. To be stable, strong and level, the floor above a crawl space requires solid mid-span support, usually provided by a post-and-beam assembly. Next, the crew installed 2 1'-3' SmartJacks. The SmartJack® system supports sagging and undersized beams, restoring stability and straightness to sagging floor joists in a crawl space. Once installed in your crawl space, SmartJack® support posts can correct problems such as sloping and overly springy floors, interior wall cracks, and out-of-level door frames. Because of the design, it can be adjusted over time to provide additional straightening and leveling action if necessary. Finally, even though the crawlspace was already encapsulated, our team needed to notch some out for the SmartJacks, which meant that we also patched up the clean space to leave it better than we found it! Wayne was satisfied with the project and was grateful we could assist him with his home repair needs!