When cracks begin appearing in the exterior brick of a home, the damage may be more than a masonry problem. For a homeowner in Grantsville, Utah, significant vertical cracking and separation in the brick exterior were visible signs that the home was experiencing foundation movement.
The homeowner turned to Davenport Foundation Repair to determine what was happening beneath the home and find a solution for the settlement.
Signs of Foundation Settlement at the Grantsville Home
One of the most noticeable symptoms was a vertical crack running through several courses of exterior brick near a window. In some areas, the movement had created visible gaps between sections of the masonry.
These types of cracks can develop as portions of a foundation settle at different rates. As the foundation moves, the materials above it can be subjected to stress, resulting in cracks and separation in brick, mortar, drywall, and other parts of the home.
Rather than simply addressing the visible cracks, the Davenport Foundation Repair team evaluated the structure to determine where foundation stabilization was needed.
Identifying the Area That Needed Stabilization
The project plan documented elevation differences throughout the affected portion of the home and identified the section of the foundation requiring stabilization.
Based on the findings, a system of seven push piers was planned along the affected foundation walls. The piers were strategically positioned to support the portion of the structure experiencing settlement.
This approach addresses the underlying foundation problem instead of treating cracking as an isolated cosmetic issue.
Installing 7 Push Piers to Stabilize the Foundation
To install the push pier system, the Davenport Foundation Repair crew excavated at each designated pier location to expose the home's foundation footing.
Heavy-duty brackets were then secured at the foundation. Steel push pier sections were hydraulically advanced into the ground until they reached competent load-bearing material capable of supporting the structure.
Once the required resistance was achieved, the seven-pier system could be used to transfer the affected portion of the home's structural load away from the weaker soils immediately beneath the foundation and onto more reliable bearing material below.
After stabilization was completed, the excavated areas could be backfilled and the property restored.
Addressing the Cause Behind the Cracks
The before-and-after photos from this Grantsville project demonstrate why homeowners should pay attention when significant cracks begin developing in brick or masonry.
A crack itself may be the most obvious symptom, but repairing the masonry alone does not necessarily address why the crack developed. When foundation settlement is responsible, determining the cause of the movement and stabilizing the affected foundation can be an important part of protecting the home.
With seven push piers installed, the affected section of this Grantsville home received the structural stabilization needed to address the underlying foundation settlement.
Foundation Repair in Grantsville and Tooele County
Foundation settlement can occur gradually, and homeowners may first notice the problem through changes elsewhere in the house. Cracks in exterior brick, stair-step masonry cracks, separating building materials, sticking doors or windows, and uneven floors can all warrant a closer look at the foundation.
Davenport Foundation Repair provides professional foundation inspections and foundation repair solutions throughout Grantsville, Tooele County, and communities across northern Utah.
If you've noticed cracks or other potential signs of foundation movement around your home, schedule a foundation inspection with Davenport Foundation Repair. Identifying foundation settlement early can help determine whether stabilization is necessary before movement leads to additional damage.
