PowerBrace™ Installation in Decatur, IL

Challenge

Fred and Kris S. experienced a cracked and bowing wall in their basement, as well as a sinking and cracking concrete stairway, driveway, and patio. The stairway landing had already sunk two inches and multiple large cracks have appeared on the wall of their basement. Systems Design Specialist Greg Birckbichler came to Fred and Kris's home to identify the problem and design a solution based on their specific issues. The problem began with a settling foundation, which led to long cracks forming in the basement walls. The sinking and cracking concrete slabs outside the home were due to the settling ground and needed repairs to help prevent more damage from occurring.

Solution

Two solutions were needed: one to repair and prevent further damage to the basement wall, and another to repair and prevent further damage to the concrete slabs outside the home.

PowerBrace™ Installation: The PowerBrace™ system is designed to stablize basement walls by installing I-beams along the wall, fixated to the foundation floor and floor joists. Foreman Jeremy Raby came out with his team to install the PowerBrace™ system. The process began with measuring the wall for the appropriate length of the I-beams. The I-beams were then cut to match. The I-beams were then bolted to the floor joists and foundation footing by drilling through the floor. This solution will help to prevent further damage to the foundation walls, and the I-beams have the potential to improve the walls' vertical integrity over time.

The concrete slabs had several cracks, including in the patio, the driveway, and the sidewalk. The concrete stairway going to the front door had sunk about two inches and was no longer level. The solution was to use the PolyLevel® polyurethane foam to raise the concrete and then fill the cracks. Foreman Greg Jones and his team came out to install the PolyLevel® foam. Holes 5/8 inch in diameter were drilled through the concrete slabs and injector ports were placed in each hole. The foam was injected through the ports and immediately expanded, lifting the sunken slabs. After the slabs were level once again, the ports were removed and filled in with cement for a virtually unnoticeable look; and Fred and Kris were able to use their stairway, sidewalk, and other areas in about 15 minutes.

Project Summary

Systems Design Specialist: Gregory Birckbichler

Primary Foreman: Jeremy Raby

PolyLevel® Foreman: Gregory Jones