Photo Album: Foundation Support Solution in Archer, FL

Jane B. had plans to make her residence in Archer, FL, her permanent home. However, she became concerned when she noticed large cracks forming throughout her house. She knew she had to address the foundation issues first before committing to other cosmetic needs for her home. To precisely diagnose the problem and determine a solution, she invited LRE to examine the crawl space beneath the house. A Design Specialist discovered that several of the brick columns supporting the home had been dismantled due to settlement. As a result, many of the wood joists themselves had become disheveled. To provide a long-term foundation solution, a plan was established to install the SmartJack system to provide permanent stability to the home. Our production team installed the SmartJack system in the crawl space to stabilize the house and prevent further settlement permanently. Now, Jane can feel at ease knowing that her house can be her forever home.

Close up of dismantled columns

These brick columns have certainly seen better days. Take note of the gap that has appeared between the wood and the top of the column as a result of the blocks disintegrating.

Brick Column Deterioration

The brick columns supporting the home's foundation have degraded over time largely due to age and soil settlement.

Mildew Accumulation

We can see an abundance of mildew build-up in the crawl space. See its white, powdery appearance. This is usually the result of high moisture content collecting over time due to Florida's frequent storms and high humidity levels.

Disheveling of Wood Floor Joists

The wood floor joints have become disheveled as a result of the deterioration of the majority of the columns supporting them below, leading the floors above to sag.

SmartJack Support Solution

The SmartJack system has been installed, relieving the block columns from supporting the home and providing permanent stability. The LumberKote protective sealant has also been applied to the wood joists above, as seen by the glossy, tan finish. This will protect the wood from further damage from excess moisture.

Permanent Foundation Stability

The SmartJack system, composed of galvanized steel, will not deteriorate over time like the previous brick columns, nor will the soil shift beneath them.