Auxiliary Wall and Sump Pump Installation in Danvers, MA

Wednesday, September 11th, 2024 by Marcus Girard

Challenge

Cracks in foundation walls often signify a building's structural integrity. A flower shop in Danvers, MA, faced a foundation wall bowing inward significantly, jeopardizing their storefront's stability. The presence of stair-step cracking and shearing at the foundation wall's base led our System Design Specialist John Prince to suggest the installation of an auxiliary wall. Additionally, with the flower shop suffering from basement leaks due to a malfunctioning sump pump system, we advised the implementation of a waterproofing system to safeguard the valuable inventory stored in their basement. The components of these systems include the following:

38' Auxiliary Foundation Wall to stabilize the foundation wall and properly support the storefront
1 TripleSafe Sump Pump to collect and remove water from the home

Solution

Upon hearing John's comprehensive solution, the flower shop owners moved forward with the project and set a date for installation. On the appointed day, the installation team, headed by Nick Carelli, arrived punctually, ready to address the flower shop's structural and water issues. Their initial task was to conduct a walkthrough with the owner to outline the work plan clearly and confirm expectations.

As the project commenced, the crew examined the joists to determine the most suitable type of bracket for installation. The installation of the PowerBraces, a wall stabilization system, primarily involved the use of bridge brackets and an L bracket. These PowerBraces are secured to the weakening foundation wall and are aligned level with each other. While PowerBraces can stabilize and potentially straighten a wall that is slightly bowed, in this case, the foundation wall was so structurally compromised that the PowerBrace system acted as additional support for the auxiliary wall.

After installing the PowerBraces, the crew drilled holes in the beams at six-inch intervals to insert rebar. The rebar was then interconnected, and additional rebar was placed into the foundation and secured to the existing rebar network. This adds further stability and durability.

The forms were assembled to create a barrier for the auxiliary wall. Brackets were affixed to the rebar and attached to the forms to guarantee adequate strength. After ensuring the forms were properly aligned and fitted to the 38-foot wall, the sides and bottom were coated with polyurethane foam to prevent concrete leakage.

Wooden beams were tightly wedged to secure the forms during the concrete pour. The concrete was poured through the opening of an egress window. The crew diligently worked to pour the concrete without creating air pockets, aiming for the wall to form as solidly as possible. This was achieved by employing a vibrating tool throughout the wet concrete. After the pouring was finished, the crew leveled the concrete and ensured it was densely packed.

After the concrete set, the forms and support beams were taken away, unveiling a robust auxiliary wall. This allows for the installation of the TripleSafe Sump Pump system. The TripleSafe consists of a three-pump setup with a cast-iron Zoeller ⅓ horsepower sump pump positioned at the lowest point. Should the water volume be substantial or the primary pump fail, a stronger Zoeller® ½ hp pump, situated slightly higher, will activate. During a power outage, the UltraSump battery backup sump pump, placed at the topmost point, is capable of pumping over 11,500 gallons on a full battery charge. The foundation floor's concrete was excavated to form a basin for the system. Once tested, it is permanently encased in concrete. Finally, a PVC pipe exterior discharge line is connected to the sump pump and extended through the shop's foundation to expel water safely.

After finishing the project, our team conducted a thorough final cleanup, ensuring the basement was left in a cleaner state than before. This was followed by a comprehensive walkthrough to demonstrate the completed work and address any lingering inquiries. The flower shop's owners and staff were overjoyed! The area, previously damp and on the verge of collapse, has been converted into a secure, dry environment, protecting the stored inventory. Erickson Foundation Solutions takes pride in delivering not only peace of mind but also durable solutions to our community.