Case Studies
Front Porch Separation
Introduction: The entryway to a home makes one of two statements. It may be warm and
welcoming, inviting visitors and guests inside; or it may be cold and
uninviting, prompting guests to think twice before knocking on the door.
When running a cozy family household, an unsightly crack in the home’s
façade can cause concern.
Situation: A homeowner in Goose Creek, South Carolina, noticed a crack forming near
her home’s front door; she was anxious to get it taken care of as
soon as possible. She contacted Ram Jack for the inspection and repair.
A thorough inspection of the property confirmed the initial complaint.
Just adjacent to the home’s front door on the left side of the front
steps was a large crack in the mortar of the brick wall. A similar fracture
in the mortar was also found in the bricks on the right side of the front
steps. Additionally, the entire front porch appeared to be separating
from the main structure, as evidenced by a crack along the entire length
of the brick where it meets the porch.
Proposed Solution: The Ram Jack South Carolina inspector proposed the installation of four
helical piles. Tiles would be removed from the front porch, and the helical
piles would be strategically located to lift the front porch back into
place and restore the structural integrity of the porch and walls. The
front porch would then be re-tiled, concealing the newly installed helical piles.
Outcome: Four (4) 2 3/8 in. diameter helical piles with slab brackets were installed
as proposed. The piles reached an average depth of 10 ft. and lifted the
front porch and damaged wall 1⁄2 in. for a complete recovery from
the foundation settlement damage. Additionally, the fractures and cracks
in the brick were closed, restoring the home’s beauty along with
its structural integrity.
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