Foundation Repair in Fort Collins: Helical Piers and Brick Railing Stabilization

Reliable Solutions in Fort Collins, Colorado

Foundation repair is a crucial aspect of maintaining structural integrity, particularly in areas prone to soil movement and settling, such as Fort Collins, Colorado. One of the most effective methods for stabilizing foundations is through the use of helical piers, which offer a reliable solution for both residential and commercial structures. This article explores a specific project undertaken in Fort Collins by Straight Line Construction, where the company employed Ram Jack helical piers to stabilize concrete stairs and a brick railing system. By using innovative techniques and high-quality materials, the team was able to restore the structural integrity of the property while preventing future issues such as brick cracking.

Fort Collins Brick Railing Repair with Ram Jack Helical Piers

In a recent project in Fort Collins, the team at Straight Line Construction faced the challenge of stabilizing a concrete stairway and brick railing system that had suffered from significant settlement. Settlement occurs when the soil beneath a foundation shifts or compresses, causing the structure to sink unevenly. This can lead to visible cracks in the brickwork, uneven steps, and potentially dangerous conditions if left unaddressed.

The primary goal of the project was to reinforce the foundation beneath the stairs and brick railing while maintaining the original appearance and design of the property. To achieve this, the team decided to use Ram Jack helical piers, a proven method for stabilizing and lifting foundations. Helical piers are steel shafts with helical plates that are screwed into the ground until they reach stable, load-bearing soil. These piers provide long-term support for the foundation, preventing further settlement and structural damage.

In this case, four helical piers were installed to underpin the affected areas, targeting the foundation beneath the stairs and the brick railing system. By strategically placing these piers, the team was able to lift the settled areas back to their original position and prevent future movement.

 

How Helical Piers Work: A Reliable Foundation Solution

Helical piers are a popular choice for foundation repair because they offer several advantages over traditional methods, such as concrete underpinning. Their unique design allows them to be installed with minimal disruption to the surrounding structure and landscaping. This is particularly important in projects like the Fort Collins brick railing repair, where maintaining the aesthetic integrity of the property was a priority.

Helical piers are installed by screwing the steel shaft into the ground until it reaches a stable layer of soil. This load-bearing soil provides a firm foundation that can support the weight of the structure. Once the piers are in place, they are attached to the foundation using brackets, allowing the foundation to be lifted back to its original position. This process is known as foundation underpinning, and it is a highly effective way to stabilize sinking or settling foundations.

The ability of helical piers to reach deeper, more stable soil layers makes them a reliable solution for foundation repair in areas with expansive soils, such as Fort Collins. Expansive soils are prone to swelling and shrinking based on moisture content, leading to foundation movement and cracking. Helical piers bypass these problematic surface soils, providing a stable and permanent solution to foundation issues.

Using Angle Iron and Ram Jack Helical Piers to Prevent Brick Cracking

In addition to the installation of helical piers, the team at Straight Line Construction took further steps to ensure the long-term stability of the brick railing. One of the common problems associated with settling foundations is brick cracking, which can occur when the load is not evenly distributed across the structure. To prevent this, the team installed a 6×6 angle iron on the brick footing.

The angle iron was carefully placed to span between the helical piers, evenly distributing the load across the walls of the railing. This method prevents point loading, where concentrated pressure at a single point can cause further cracking in the brick. By distributing the load more evenly, the angle iron helps to reinforce the entire structure, ensuring that the foundation remains stable and that no new cracks form.

This combination of helical piers and angle iron provides a comprehensive solution to foundation settlement and brick cracking. The helical piers address the underlying cause of the settlement, while the angle iron ensures that the brick railing remains stable and secure.

Successful Lift and Crack Prevention in Fort Collins Foundation Repair

Once the helical piers and angle iron were in place, the next step was to lift the settled areas of the stairs and brick railing back to their original position. This was accomplished using hydraulic jacks, which applied upward pressure on the foundation brackets attached to the helical piers. The lift was performed slowly and carefully to avoid causing additional damage to the structure.

The lift was a success, almost fully closing the gap that had formed due to the settlement. After the lift, a thorough inspection was conducted to assess the condition of the brickwork and the foundation. The inspection revealed no new cracks, indicating that the structure had been successfully stabilized and that the repairs were effective in preventing future settlement and cracking.

This project is a testament to the effectiveness of helical piers and innovative foundation repair techniques. By using high-quality materials and a thoughtful approach to the repair, the team at Straight Line Construction was able to restore the structural integrity of the property while preserving its original design and aesthetic appeal.

Long-term Stability Solutions in Fort Collins

Foundation repair is a complex and necessary process, particularly in areas like Fort Collins, where expansive soils and shifting ground can lead to settlement and structural damage. The use of Ram Jack helical piers offers a reliable and effective solution for stabilizing foundations and preventing further issues such as brick cracking. In the case of the Fort Collins brick railing repair, the combination of helical piers and angle iron provided a comprehensive solution that not only addressed the immediate problem but also ensured long-term stability.

The success of this project demonstrates the importance of using innovative techniques and high-quality materials in foundation repair. By choosing the right method for the specific conditions of the property, it is possible to restore structural integrity, prevent further damage, and maintain the aesthetic and functional qualities of the building.

For homeowners in Fort Collins and other areas prone to foundation issues, helical piers offer a long-lasting solution that can protect the value and safety of the property for years to come.

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Straight Line Construction

Straight Line Construction has changed a great deal over the last 30+ years in the industry, but one thing remains the same: our commitment to quality and to designing and installing permanent solutions to foundation settlement issues. Beginning with small residential jobs more than 30 years ago when the family-owned company was founded by Tim Davis, Sr., Straight Line Construction today repairs cracking residential and commercial foundations through its Ram Jack product toolkit and designs solutions for large infrastructure and industrial projects. We specialize in matching the right solution to each type of foundation repair issue.

Are you building a new home and want to ensure it has a solid foundation? Or is your house experiencing unwanted sagging or a cracking foundation? Are your walls cracked or your doors and windows sticking? As a bonded, licensed, and fully insured foundation repair company, we are proud to serve Colorado homeowners, builders, and commercial contractors. Our technical certifications enable us to offer the highest quality services and the best American-made, environmentally safe products available for foundation repair. Regardless of how your building is shifting or sinking, we can help you stop it. Our 30 years in the business and our designation as a Ram Jack certified dealer means you get the most technologically savvy solution to fix your foundation.

From the factory to the field, we strive to ensure the quality of our products and workmanship meet the highest industry standards. We work with other vetted professionals in the industry. All of our helical piers, push piers, and mounting brackets are manufactured by Ram Jack in Ada, OK, at an ISO-certified facility with American-made steel. Williams Form Engineering in Golden, CO, manufactures our reinforcing bar for ground anchor systems and shares our commitment to quality control and quality assurance.

About Ram Jack

Ram Jack is a family-owned business that began operations in 1968, in Ada, OK, where we currently source our piers and brackets. Back then, concrete piering was the original repair method used simply because it was the only technology available at the time. Over time, it became evident that concrete piers did not provide long-term stabilization of foundations and only provided a short-term warranty period. To guarantee the highest grade of customer satisfaction, a greater solution needed to be found.

The Ram Jack owners embarked on a research program to develop a foundation repair system to stand the test of time. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office first issued a patent to Ram Jack for its foundation repair system in 1985. Over the next few years, additional refinements and patents have followed, resulting in the strongest patented system in the industry. Ram Jack driven pilings are ICC-ES recognized (International Construction Code—Evaluation Services). Ram Jack is one of only two ICC-ES recognized foundation repair companies in the industry. Ram Jack’s products meet or exceed code requirements set down by ICC-ES for both commercial and residential properties.

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