Cracks in Ceiling and Other Signs of Foundation Settlement in Fisher, IL
This Fisher, IL home was having issues with foundation settlement. Cracks in the ceiling, like the one shown in this picture, as well as cracks at the edges of doorways and gaps above doors that cause them to stick are signs that the foundation is settling. When soil around the foundation gets wet and expands, contracts when dry or was poorly compacted at the time the foundation was built, it can settle and bring the foundation with it. If the foundation hasn't settled uniformly, it can cause separations and cracks. The settlement problem only gets worse with time and it will become more costly to repair the damage the longer it is left. Woods recommended Push Piers when a home has these kind of foundation issues.
Settling Columns Causing Sagging Floors in Fisher, IL
The floors in this Fisher, IL home were sagging and uneven. In the crawl space, the existing cement columns were settling due to weak soil conditions. This had formed a gap between the tops of the columns and the bottoms of the girders they were supporting. The girders sagged due to the lack of support which in turn caused the floors above to sag. The homeowner had tried to fix this problem by wedging wood blocks into the gap to support the girders. This didn't address the underlying settlement issue so the gaps just kept reappearing. In situations like these, Woods recommends the SmartJack floor support system to keep floors level.
Foundation Stabilized With Push Piers in Fisher, IL
Woods installed Push Piers at this Fisher, IL home to alleviate the foundation settlement issues. They secured steel brackets to the concrete footing of the home and then hydraulically drove high-strength steel pier sections through the brackets. The piers are driven down to stable soil or bedrock below the home. They are then attached to the steel brackets which transfers the weight of the home from the unstable conditions through the piers to the competent, load-bearing strata. This permanently stabilizes the home's foundation and makes the structure secure. Push Piers can also lift and level the home in most cases.
SmartJacks Level Floors in Fisher, IL
Woods installed the SmartJacks along the girders in the crawl space. SmartJacks are adjustable steel columns that are cut to the specific height of the crawl space and held in place by high-strength aluminum footings that are situated on top of a compressed stone base which transfers the weight of the home to more competent strata to prevent settling. They have a heavy-duty threaded rods that allow them to adjust and immediately lift the floors to proper level position. They will permanently stabilize the the floors and prevent any further progression. The SmartJack system is also covered in a thick galvanized layer to protect is from rusting.