Photo Album: Collapsing Basement, Litchfield, NH

A homeowner in Litchfield, New Hampshire had experienced serious structural problems. There were cracks all throughout the foundation walls and uneven, saggy, and bouncy floors. These were all signs that the basement needed to offer more support and stability in order to withhold the home. Our Design Specialist, John Prince, recommended installing our GeoLock wall anchor system and SmartJacks to permanently solve this issue. The GeoLock system stabilizes the wall by placing a galvanized steel plate on the wall and anchoring it in strong, durable soil. This prevents bowing, leaning, and collapsing walls while potentially even straightening them. SmartJacks were installed to stabilize the floor. Our installation crew chipped up concrete in spaces where the SmartJacks were to be installed. Steel plates were then laid upon crushed stone to create a sturdy base. After installing a supplemental support beam, steel posts were installed, connecting the plates to the beam. Once the system was fully installed, it was cemented in place. This combination of systems creates a stable and supportive foundation. Floors are now level and no longer bouncy, while supportive foundation walls prevent further settlement.

Sinking Floors

Without the proper support, floors sink and can become uneven. This can be seen in the curvature on the basement ceiling.

Wall Cracks

Wall cracks indicate shifting/sinking of the foundation in the soil. This can be caused by a variety of reasons, but it is essential to stabilize these walls for the safety of the home.

SmartJack Floor Stabilization

This image shows how the SmartJacks are installed into the foundation. They are similar to Lally columns but offer even more support!

GeoLock Wall Anchor Installation

It can be seen that the wall is leaning outward. To correct this, we install the plates on the outside of the wall, feed the metal rod through, and then anchor it into the foundation.