Foundation Issues Preventing Home Renovations, Orange, NH

Thursday, April 13th, 2023 by Travis Kellogg

Challenge

A homeowner in Orange, New Hampshire, purchased their home knowing there was some work to be done. The original part of the home was built in the 1700s, since then there has been a couple of additions created by different homeowners. There was the original home which was set on a granite and stone foundation, the second addition was built with a stone and brick foundation, and lastly, the third and newest addition was built more recently and has poured foundation wall. The homeowner has lived in this home for just over a year and wanted to start renovating. But, when they moved into the home they noticed some foundation issues. Since purchasing the home, the foundation seemed to be washing away and separating from the house. The homeowner decided it was a good time to reach out to a foundation repair company to look at the foundations of their home. Our Design Specialist Victor inspected the home and its foundations and found that the oldest part of the foundation was separating from the home and it was sagging on one side which could lead to significant damage if left untreated.

Solution

To solve the homes foundation issues Victor recommended a Masonry Block Wall Rebuild around the oldest foundation of the home and then add support to the floor system by using SmartJacks and Supplemental beams.

To begin the team exposed the granite and stone foundation wall around the original portion of the home using an excavator. When the team exposed the entire foundation they set up temporary supports so they could begin to remove the granite and stone foundation wall. Once the old foundation was removed, the team poured a 65' concrete footing so we could install our Masonry Block Wall on a solid base. While the team waited for the footing to cure the team began to install our 3' SmartJacks into the crawlspace under the 1700s portion of the home.

The team will install 6 SmartJacks and 28' of Supplemental Beam to add support to the floor system of the home. The team used our big plates and crushed stone to help support the home's floor system. The team made sure the footings of the SmartJacks were level before setting up the rest of the support and supplemental beam. The team then propped the beam up to the floor system and installed the SmartJack and adjustable top with our U bracket. Then the team attached the SmartJack to the Supplemental beam by using strong self-tapping screws. The team then used the adjustable top to lift up the floor system.

By now the footing for the masonry wall was cured and the team was able to start laying blocks for the wall. The team fed our lead Mason Nick concrete and masonry blocks until the wall was built up to the rim joist of the home. After the team laid the last blocks and rested the home on the new wall, they removed the temporary posts and began backfilling around the foundation. Once the team finished backfilling and tamping around the foundation wall the project was complete.

Nick and his team did a full walkthrough with the homeowner to show them what had been done and to answer any questions they might have about the project. The homeowner was very happy with the results of the project and was now able to begin renovations around their home.