Structural Repairs Process

We at Amazonia Waterproofing, Inc., send a Foundation Specialist to your home to perform a thorough inspection of your foundation and identify any cracks, bowed walls, efflorescence, and water damage. The Foundation Specialist produces a comprehensive inspection report based on New Jersey State Building Construction Codes. The inspection report presents the structural problems and the proposed solutions that may include any of the following structural repairs:

Wall Pins
Lateral Stitches
Footing Underpins
I- Beams
Wall Replacement
Footing Replacement
Lally Columns
Hydraulic Cement Plaster

Wall Pins

Wall pins are vertical reinforced concrete peers much like the ones seen on fig. 01. Wall pins are installed in places where horizontal cracks are visible. Below is the general process for installing wall pins.

  1. The best location for pins and spacing between pins is determined.
  2. Two 3 to 4 " diameter holes are bored, one in the center of the wall and another on top of the wall.
  3. A #4 rebar is installed vertically from top to bottom of wall.
  4. Concrete 5000 psi is injected inside bored holes to completely fill the empty space from top to bottom.

Lateral Stitches

Lateral Stitches are horizontal reinforcements placed inside horizontal mortar joints. Lateral Stitches are installed in places where vertical cracks occur. Below is the general process for installing Lateral Stitches.

  1. The trouble areas are identified on the foundation.
  2. Mortar joints are grinded on both sides of crack, about 16 inches to each side of crack.
  3. #3 rebar is installed inside grinded mortar joints and bonded with high strength mortar with bonding agent.
  4. Finishing touches are added.

Footing Underpins

When there is no footing under your foundation walls, a Footing Underpin is needed. Below is the general process for installing a Footing Underpin.

  1. All areas where footing should be present are exposed.
  2. Installation is planned by sections. Main concern is structural integrity and safety.
  3. First section is excavated, formed, and a #5 rebar reinforcement is assembled.
  4. Fast setting concrete 5000psi is poured and allowed to set for 1 day.
  5. Form is removed, next section is excavated and steps 3 and 4 are repeated until all foundation walls are sitting on top of footing.

I-Beams

An I-beam is a 6" x 6" x (height of basement) steel section. An I-beam is installed vertically against the bowing wall and is secured on the top by the rafters and on the bottom by the footing and slab. I-beams are recommended for moderate to severe cases of wall damage and are more efficient when combined with Wall Pins and Lateral Stitches. Below is the general process for installing I-beams.

  1. Location and spacing between I-beams is determined.
  2. Footing is prepared to receive I-beam.
  3. Rafter is prepared to receive I-beam.
  4. I-beam is installed plumb and flush against the ridge part of bowing wall.
  5. I-beam is secured properly and permanently.

Wall Replacement

When you have a severe case of structural damage, the only solution is to replace the entire damaged wall. This involves careful planning and execution. Below is the general process for a Wall Replacement.

  1. Section of wall to be replaced is determined.
  2. The house is raised and secured on that section.
  3. Wall is demolished and removed.
  4. New wall is built according to building code and/or architectural drawings.
  5. House is rested on top of new section and job is continued to the next section.

Footing Replacement

When replacing a wall, sometimes is also necessary to replace the footing. Below is the general process for Footing Replacement.

  1. Existing footing is removed.
  2. Ground is excavated, formed, and reinforced using # 5 rebar.
  3. # 5 rebar is installed for footing that will not be replaced.
  4. New footing is poured using concrete 5000 psi.
  5. New footing is installed according to building code and/or architectural drawings.

Lally Columns

A Lally Column is an architectural term for a long, round, steel pipe filled with concrete that is oriented vertically to provide support to beams or timbers stretching over long spans. Lally Columns are typically positioned in the middle of the span to bear the weight of the structure, and to reduce the tendency of the structure to sag or flex. Lally Columns are recommended in places where there is a damaged masonry column or places where the carpentry is sagging. Below is the general process for installing Lally Columns.

  1. Location for instalation is determined.
  2. House is raised and secured.
  3. Existing support is removed, if there is any.
  4. Footing is poured for new Lally Column below slab level.
  5. New column is installed plumb and secured to carpentry.
  6. Slab is poured around column.

Hydraulic Cement Plaster

Installing a Hydraulic Cement Plaster is both a structural and cosmetic solution for your basement walls and is installed in combination with Basement Water Management System. Below is the general process for installing a Hydraulic Cement Plaster.

  1. Wall is prepared by removing all loose materials and properly cleaning it.
  2. A 6 mil. vapor barrier is installed on entire wall and connected to drainage board from the Basement Water Management System.
  3. Wire mesh is installed on top of vapor barrier.
  4. A 1/4 inch coat of hydraulic cement is installed and finished using wood float.