It's important to stabilize the foundation of your home. To do this successfully, you must first choose a skilled, reliable contractor. Next, you need to confirm that they can provide solutions that will end your problem permanently. There are several options available, and some are undoubtedly more effective than others. What you don't know can harm you in these kinds of circumstances.

Options to Avoid

Block Columns

The process: Concrete footings are poured in the crawl space of your home. After the concrete footings cure, concrete blocks are put on top of the footings, sometimes with mortar in between the blocks. Shims are inserted between the topmost concrete block and the girder after the mortar has had time to set. Because concrete is a sturdy material and is frequently recommended by contractors, particularly those who do not specialize in foundation repair, this may seem like a suitable choice.

The problems: This method is not only time-consuming—it takes a long time for the concrete and mortar to cure—but it is also not adjustable. Additional shims will be required as the concrete columns eventually settle into the soil below. To put it another way, this is a repair that has to be done repeatedly. This is because the concrete columns themselves are not the major issue, but the ground upon which the house and these columns are built is. This solution does not deal with the underlying issue.

Additional Shimming

The process: A temporary jack is utilized to elevate the girder and make way for two shims. Shims are then inserted between the existing column and girder. The temporary jacks are then removed. This solution may seem appealing since it is relatively simple and inexpensive.

The problems: This is an example of the old saying "you get what you paid for." Additional shimming is merely a temporary solution, and you'll find yourself repairing damage to upstairs finishes over and over. This is another option that does not address the source of your problems.

Light Duty Jack Posts

The process: On top of the earth, a concrete block is placed, and a light-duty jack post is tightened to fit against the girder. Some may suggest that this problem can be handled with a do-it-yourself project, and because a light-duty jack post can be obtained at a local hardware shop, you may be tempted to give it a try...forgetting that some projects should be left to the professionals.

The problems: Light-duty posts were never designed to sustain the weight of live loads or load-bearing walls. They feature adjustable top brackets that are simply intended to tighten them against the beam above, not to lift a floor. They are composed of thin, unprotected steel that rusts, corrodes, and weakens with time. Most crucially, even when installed on a concrete block or pad, these posts do little to address poor soils beneath the base.

Options That Work

The SmartJack System

SmartJacks are steel support systems that are used to permanently stabilize and level the crawl space girders and floor joists. The steel components have been laboratory-tested and proven to withstand loads several times larger than those necessary to stabilize a sinking floor and any partition walls sitting on that floor. SmartJacks do not replace existing columns, but rather give strength and stability to what is already there.

The process: To address weak foundation soils, or the effects changing moisture conditions can have on these soils, a two-foot cube of soil is excavated at each SmartJack location. To build a sturdy, load-bearing footing, the hole is then filled with engineered fill. The custom-engineered base plate is then placed on top of this to secure the SmartJack and disperse the loads effectively. Next, high strength galvanized steel tube is cut to the required height. The steel column and its components are assembled and attached to the support beam, and the SmartJack support system is tightened into place. It is then possible to move the above floors and walls back into a more level position after the support beam and floor joist are stabilized.

When to use them? SmartJacks should be used when you’re looking for these outcomes:

• The best opportunity to lift the above floors and walls back toward their original position
• Permanently stabilize the floor joists supporting the home's main floor
• Reduce floor 'bounce' caused by excessive floor joist spans
• Solve the problem once and for all!