Helical Pier Installation in Flagstaff, Arizona: How Challenges Bring Success

Restoring Structural Integrity in Flagstaff, AZ

This foundation repair project took place at a secondary residence in Flagstaff, Arizona, which the homeowner planned to sell. The property had significant structural issues, including 2 inches of settlement toward the middle of the home. The homeowner contacted Ram Jack Arizona after noticing prominent interior cracks and a visible inward shift of the foundation. Resolving these issues was critical to restore the home’s structural integrity, marketability, and overall value.

Investigation and Diagnosis

A detailed inspection identified foundation movement with settlement most pronounced in the middle of the home, requiring a specialized repair strategy. A Floor Level Survey further revealed elevation differences of up to 2 inches, confirming the severity of the issue. These findings were integral in the development of a targeted and efficient repair plan specifically designed to address foundation movement.

Design Challenges and Adjustments in Foundation Repair

Foundation repair projects often come with unexpected challenges, and this project was no exception. Initially, the repair plan called for 8-inch single-disc helical piers. However, during installation, the first pier reached an unexpected depth of 90 feet, revealing the extreme softness of the soil.

To address these conditions, the design was revised to use 10/12-inch double-helix helical piers. This strategic adjustment allowed the piers to achieve the engineer-specified torque at a shallower depth, ultimately saving the customer thousands of dollars while still meeting the required structural support standards. The original 90-foot single-disc pier was retained, as it fully complied with the structural specifications.

This solution highlights the importance of adaptability and innovative design in foundation repair, ensuring both cost efficiency and structural integrity

Comprehensive Repair Strategy

The team designed the final repair plan to stabilize the foundation, enhance interior support, and achieve maximum practical elevation recovery. Key components included:

  • Pier Installation: A total of 19 helical piers were installed—7 externally and 12 piers with pre-construction brackets encased in new concrete caps within the crawlspace. The crawlspace installation required the use of a manual torque head due to limited clearance. The team removed small 4×4 sections of flooring for some piers, while they installed others beneath the floor to minimize disruption.
     
  • Structural Adjustment: The team worked meticulously to raise the settled area of the foundation to its original elevation, ensuring stability and addressing all structural concerns.

Execution and Efficiency

Despite the challenges, the team executed the project seamlessly within the planned timeline, completing it in less than five weeks. Excavation within the crawlspace and the use of specialized equipment ensured precise installation, while strategic planning minimized disruption to the property. The repair adhered to strict engineering standards and fully addressed the homeowner’s concerns.

Project Outcomes

The completed repairs successfully restored the foundation’s structural integrity, preparing the home for sale in Flagstaff. By addressing settlement issues and providing long term robust interior support, the project resolved all visible cracks and prevented further movement. The use of an optimized pier design resulted in a cost-effective solution without compromising quality.

Customer Recommendation and 5-Star Review

The customer was highly satisfied with the project outcome, and praised the professionalism, communication, and efficiency of the Ram Jack of Arizona team. The project started on time and finished a day and a half ahead of schedule. Foreman Victor Carrillo and Project Manager Victor Mendoza earned praise for their clear communication, while Foundation Repair Specialist Andrew Olson ensured the homeowners felt confident and informed from consultation to completion. The crew’s dedication and seamless execution left a lasting impression, and the customer enthusiastically recommended Ram Jack for foundation repair needs.

How Customized Solutions Restored Stability

This project highlights the importance of adaptive engineering and customized repair strategies in resolving complex foundation issues. By leveraging innovative techniques and a thorough understanding of soil conditions, the team delivered a durable and efficient solution that exceeded expectations. The Flagstaff home’s restored stability and enhanced marketability stand as a testament to the value of expertise and precision in foundation repair.

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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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