How We Fixed a Settling Foundation in St. Louis

  The St. Louis area, with its varied soil conditions and seasonal weather, presents a unique challenge for home foundations. When a homeowner contacted us with concerns about their property near Forest Park, we knew we had to act quickly. What started as small, cosmetic issues was rapidly becoming a serious structural problem.

The homeowner had noticed several signs of foundation settlement:

• Cracks in the basement walls and concrete floors.

• The front door was sticking and difficult to open.

• The chimney had a noticeable gap where it had started to separate from the home's siding.

The Diagnosis: Dealing with Midwest Clay Soil

Our inspector quickly identified the classic symptoms of a foundation settling into unstable soil. During the summer's dry spell, the expansive clay soil beneath the home had contracted and pulled away, creating voids. The foundation had then settled into these spaces, causing the entire structure to shift. This is a common issue for homes in the greater St. Louis metro area.

The Solution: Underpinning with Foundation Piers

To permanently solve the problem, we recommended a foundation underpinning system using foundation piers. This method would bypass the problematic soil and transfer the home's weight to a stable, deeper layer of earth or bedrock.

Here’s how we executed the repair:

1. Initial Excavation: Our crew carefully dug out small sections of soil around the perimeter of the foundation to expose the footings.

2. Pier Installation: We used a hydraulic ram to drive high-strength steel foundation piers deep into the ground. These piers were driven one at a time until they reached stable, load-bearing strata.

3. Lifting and Stabilization: Once all the piers were in place, we carefully used the hydraulic jacks to lift the foundation back to a level position. The entire process was meticulously monitored to ensure a precise, gentle lift.

4. Finishing Touches: After the foundation was stabilized, we backfilled the excavated areas and repaired the cracks and voids.

    

The Result: A Restored Home and Peace of Mind

The project was completed in just a few days. The results were immediate and transformative: the sticky door began to open and close with ease, the unsightly cracks were sealed, and the homeowner gained peace of mind knowing their home was safe and stable. By transferring the home's weight to a deep, stable layer, we provided a permanent solution that will not be affected by seasonal changes in the soil.