Case Studies
Neighborhood Restoration
The Woodlawn Homes, a collection of historic houses on a Birmingham, Alabama
cul-de-sac, don’t immediately appear habitable, but that won’t
last. A restoration company has made it a goal to restore the homes to
their original appearance and integrity. Even in their dilapidated state,
it’s not hard to picture their eventual beauty once the restoration
is complete.
Situation: Two of the Woodland homes undergoing restoration had severe foundation
problems, evidenced by the settlement of their columns and front porches.
An engineering firm proposed to repair the structures’ foundations
with steel helical piles. The vintage columns were composed of mortared
stone, making them particularly vulnerable to failure when lifting.
Proposed Solution: Alabama Ram Jack proposed installing helical piles to lift the falling
foundations as much as practical for the structures. This would not only
provide a more pleasing appearance for the homes, but it would also ensure
their structural stability as the restoration process continues.
Outcome: Alabama Ram Jack installed seven helical piles at the two properties, lifting
the structures an average of 2 in. for maximum practical recovery. This
created level front porches as well as straightening the sagging support
columns. Alabama Ram Jack finished the job without any issues, much to
the satisfaction of the restoration company.
Download the full case study in pdf format