We at Amazonia Waterproofing, Inc., send a Foundation
Specialist to your home to perform a thorough inspection of your foundation
and identify any cracks, bowed walls, efflorescence, and water damage.
The Foundation Specialist produces a comprehensive inspection report based
on New Jersey State Building Construction Codes. The inspection report
presents the structural problems and the proposed solutions that may include
any of the following structural repairs:
Wall Pins
Lateral Stitches
Footing Underpins
I- Beams
Wall Replacement
Footing Replacement
Lally Columns
Hydraulic Cement Plaster
Wall Pins
Wall pins are vertical reinforced concrete peers much
like the ones seen on fig. 01. Wall pins are installed in places where
horizontal cracks are visible. Below is the general process for installing
wall pins.
- The best location for pins
and spacing between pins is determined.
- Two 3 to 4 " diameter holes
are bored, one in the center of the wall and another on top of the wall.
- A #4 rebar is installed vertically from top to bottom
of wall.
- Concrete 5000 psi is injected inside bored holes
to completely fill the empty space from top to bottom.
Lateral Stitches
Lateral Stitches are horizontal reinforcements placed
inside horizontal mortar joints. Lateral Stitches are installed in places
where vertical cracks occur. Below is the general process for installing
Lateral Stitches.
- The trouble areas are identified on the foundation.
- Mortar joints are grinded on both sides of crack,
about 16 inches to each side of crack.
- #3 rebar is installed inside grinded mortar joints
and bonded with high strength mortar with bonding agent.
- Finishing touches are added.
Footing Underpins
When there is no footing under your foundation walls,
a Footing Underpin is needed. Below is the general process for installing
a Footing Underpin.
- All areas where footing should
be present are exposed.
- Installation is planned by sections. Main concern
is structural integrity and safety.
- First section is excavated, formed, and a #5 rebar
reinforcement is assembled.
- Fast setting concrete 5000psi is poured and allowed
to set for 1 day.
- Form is removed, next section is excavated and steps
3 and 4 are repeated until all foundation walls are sitting on top of
footing.
I-Beams
An I-beam is a 6" x 6" x (height of basement) steel
section. An I-beam is installed vertically against the bowing wall and
is secured on the top by the rafters and on the bottom by the footing
and slab. I-beams are recommended for moderate to severe cases of wall
damage and are more efficient when combined with Wall Pins and Lateral
Stitches. Below is the general process for installing I-beams.
- Location and spacing between
I-beams is determined.
- Footing is prepared to receive I-beam.
- Rafter is prepared to receive I-beam.
- I-beam is installed plumb and flush against the ridge
part of bowing wall.
- I-beam is secured properly and permanently.
Wall Replacement
When you have a severe case of structural damage, the
only solution is to replace the entire damaged wall. This involves careful
planning and execution. Below is the general process for a Wall Replacement.
- Section of wall to be replaced
is determined.
- The house is raised and secured
on that section.
- Wall is demolished and removed.
- New wall is built according to building code and/or
architectural drawings.
- House is rested on top of new section and job is
continued to the next section.
Footing Replacement
When replacing a wall, sometimes is also necessary to
replace the footing. Below is the general process for Footing Replacement.
- Existing footing is removed.
- Ground is excavated, formed, and reinforced using
# 5 rebar.
- # 5 rebar is installed for footing that will not
be replaced.
- New footing is poured using concrete 5000 psi.
- New footing is installed according to building code
and/or architectural drawings.
Lally Columns
A Lally Column is an architectural term for a long,
round, steel pipe filled with concrete that is oriented vertically to
provide support to beams or timbers stretching over long spans. Lally
Columns are typically positioned in the middle of the span to bear the
weight of the structure, and to reduce the tendency of the structure to
sag or flex. Lally Columns are recommended in places where there is a
damaged masonry column or places where the carpentry is sagging. Below
is the general process for installing Lally Columns.
- Location for instalation is determined.
- House is raised and secured.
- Existing support is removed,
if there is any.
- Footing is poured for new
Lally Column below slab level.
- New column is installed plumb
and secured to carpentry.
- Slab is poured around column.
Hydraulic Cement Plaster
Installing a Hydraulic Cement Plaster is both a structural
and cosmetic solution for your basement walls and is installed in combination
with Basement Water Management System. Below is the general process for
installing a Hydraulic Cement Plaster.
- Wall is prepared by removing all loose materials
and properly cleaning it.
- A 6 mil. vapor barrier is installed on entire wall
and connected to drainage board from the Basement Water Management System.
- Wire mesh is installed on top of vapor barrier.
- A 1/4 inch coat of hydraulic cement is installed and
finished using wood float.
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