Saint Johns, AZ Foundation Repair, Crawl Space Waterproofing & More

When a family in Saint Johns, AZ, noticed troubling signs like cracks in their block walls, doors refusing to shut properly, and fractures in their floors, they knew their home was facing significant foundation problems. Built in 2005, the 2,184 square foot home appeared to be sinking, especially near the garage, raising concerns about long-term structural integrity. Foundation settlement, a leading cause of building damage, was likely due to fluctuating moisture levels in the underlying soils, a common issue in Arizona's desert climate.

Understanding the Problem: Foundation Settlement in Arizona The symptoms—vertical cracks in the walls and foundation, misaligned doors, and floor fractures—indicated that the home was suffering from foundation settlement. In Arizona, this often results from changes in moisture content in the bearing soil, which expands and contracts due to droughts and storms. Left unchecked, such issues can lead to costly structural damage and even make the home unsafe.

Before recommending a repair strategy, our team conducted a thorough inspection using a manometer survey. This critical step is essential to accurately assess the foundation’s condition and to determine the severity of the settlement. The manometer survey confirmed that significant portions of the foundation were sinking, especially near the garage, which explained the worsening structural symptoms.

Designing the Solution: Push Piers and Helical Piles With the survey complete, we developed a customized, cost-effective repair plan using push piers and helical piles—two highly effective foundation stabilization methods. These systems would permanently bypass the problem soils, anchoring the home’s foundation to stable bedrock, well below the active soil layers.

Push Piers: This solution uses hydraulic rams to drive steel shafts into load-bearing strata, about 20 feet deep in this area of Arizona. Push piers are ideal for homes experiencing significant settlement, as they permanently stabilize and support the foundation. Once installed, the piers are invisible and require no further maintenance.

Helical Piles: For lighter load areas, such as sections of the home not yet affected by severe settlement, helical piles were chosen. Helical piers are large screws that are hydraulically driven into the ground, locking into place once they reach competent soil.

The Repair Process: Step-by-Step Restoration

Excavation: We began by excavating small pits around the foundation, each 3 feet wide, 3 feet long, and 3 feet deep, at strategic points near the sinking areas, including the garage.

Footing Preparation: The home’s footings were trimmed to ensure a secure fit for the steel pier brackets that would be installed next.

Pier Installation: Push piers were hydraulically driven into the ground until they reached the stable bedrock. Helical piles were also installed in areas requiring additional support.

Lifting the Foundation: Using hydraulic jacks, we lifted the home’s foundation simultaneously at each pier location. This process is highly controlled to ensure the structure is raised evenly, minimizing the risk of additional cracks or damage.

Final Adjustments and Backfilling: Once the home was stabilized and returned to its original position, the piers were trimmed to the correct height. The pits were then backfilled, and the landscape was restored to its original condition, with no visible trace of the repair work.

Results: A Stable Foundation and Peace of Mind After the installation of push piers and helical piles, the home was once again level, and the troubling cracks in the block walls, doors, and floors were no longer worsening. The homeowner now has peace of mind, knowing that the foundation is permanently supported by a system designed to withstand Arizona’s challenging soil conditions.

The use of push piers and helical piles not only solved the immediate foundation issues but also provided a long-term solution that will protect the home from future settlement. The family in Saint Johns, AZ, can now enjoy their home without worrying about further structural damage.

When homeowners in Saint Johns, Arizona, noticed signs of trouble around their garage, they knew they had a sinking problem on their hands. Cracks had begun to form in the block walls, the doors wouldn’t shut properly, and fissures were appearing in the floors and walls. This 2005-built house, with a spacious 2,184 square feet, was slowly sinking—specifically near the garage area. The problem had escalated to the point where walking through certain rooms was difficult, and using the garage was a challenge.

The issue stemmed from one major cause: soil settlement beneath the concrete foundation. Concrete, while durable, is incredibly heavy. Combined with the weight of the structure it supports, this can cause the soil underneath to compress or erode over time. In Saint Johns, where shifting soils and extreme heat are common, the home's foundation couldn’t withstand the ongoing pressure. Traditional concrete repair methods, like mudjacking, had been an option, but they were messy, slow, and added more weight to the already unstable soil.

The homeowner sought a better, faster, and more durable solution to lift and stabilize the sinking garage slab. That’s when they turned to PolyLevel® Injection Foam, a state-of-the-art concrete leveling technology offered by Arizona Foundation Solutions. PolyLevel® is a lightweight yet strong material designed to lift sunken concrete slabs and foundations by injecting an expanding foam beneath them. Unlike traditional methods, this process is non-invasive and quick, minimizing disruption to the homeowner’s day-to-day life.

Assessment and Solution:

During the initial inspection, our team identified multiple areas where settlement had caused structural problems, particularly around the garage. We recommended PolyLevel® Injection Foam because of its ability to address not only the symptoms (cracks and sinking concrete) but also the root cause: unstable soil.

After preparing the area, our technicians drilled small, strategically placed holes into the affected concrete slab. Then, they injected the PolyLevel® foam through these holes. As the foam expanded, it filled voids in the soil and gently raised the slab back to its original level. Within just 30 minutes, the material reached 90% of its final strength, allowing the homeowner to resume normal use of the garage the same day. In addition to lifting the concrete, the foam also stabilized the surrounding soil, preventing future settlement.

The PolyLevel® Advantage:

PolyLevel® offers several key benefits over traditional concrete repair techniques:

Lightweight but strong: At just 4 pounds per cubic foot, PolyLevel® is much lighter than traditional fill materials, reducing the stress on already weak soils.

Quick curing: Full loading of the repaired area is possible just 15 minutes after application, minimizing downtime.

Waterproof and stable: PolyLevel® doesn’t wash away or degrade over time, making it ideal for Arizona's unique climate.

Non-invasive: The injection process is minimally disruptive, requiring only small access holes, which are easily patched.

For this Saint Johns homeowner, PolyLevel® solved a persistent and potentially dangerous problem quickly, cleanly, and effectively. Now, their doors shut smoothly, their floors are level, and they can park in their garage without worry.

If you're experiencing similar issues with sinking concrete, whether it's uneven sidewalks, driveways, or foundational slabs, PolyLevel® is the solution you need. It's the best way to lift, level, and stabilize concrete structures throughout Arizona, including Scottsdale, Mesa, and Chandler.

Foundation problems not only affect the walls of the house; they also affect the floor, leading to issues like tiles breaking and damage to other decorative items attached to the floor. This family in Saint Johns, Arizona, wanted to continue with their remodeling plans, but the concrete slabs had multiple concrete cracks. After doing some research, the homeowners decided to look for help with crack repair, aiming to repair the concrete slabs, as it’s less expensive than replacing them. When our concrete repair crew arrived, they addressed the cracks by bonding the different pieces of the concrete slabs with carbon fiber laminates and applying a crack filler made from polyurea, which filled every space and unified the cracked concrete. After a few hours, the crack repair project was completed, and now the homeowners can proceed with their remodeling plans.

Generally, houses encounter foundation problems at some point in their timeline. Some houses face these issues due to age, while others experience them due to being built on challenging locations. This particular house in Arizona was experiencing serious foundation problems in multiple rooms. The homeowner noticed vertical cracks in the foundation, along with cracks on the floor, walls, and ceiling. Recognizing the need for professional help, they decided to seek foundation experts to evaluate the situation.

Our team of residential foundation contractors conducted a comprehensive foundation inspection and identified the most efficient slab foundation repair methods for the home. The recommended solution was underpinning with push piers to stabilize and support the foundation. This method helps address acceptable foundation settlement and ensures long-term stability. After the installation of the piers, which were strategically placed throughout the house, all the repair work was completed, and the holes were filled.

Thanks to Arizona Foundation Solutions and its crew, the homeowners now have peace of mind. If you’re searching for “foundation repairs near me” or “home foundation inspection near me,” Arizona Foundation Solutions is your trusted partner for all foundation repair and home improvement renovations needs.

This family in Saint Johns, Arizona, was facing serious home improvement and renovation challenges due to foundation problems affecting many rooms in the house. However, this was no ordinary project, as part of the house is supported by a crawlspace. Upon arrival, our foundation experts conducted a thorough foundation inspection and quickly identified the main issues and acceptable foundation settlement concerns. After discussing various foundation repair options with the homeowners, they decided to move forward with a tailored solution. Our residential foundation contractors installed Smart Jacks along with push piers around the perimeter to stabilize the entire foundation. With these slab foundation repair methods in place, the foundation is now stronger than ever before. Thanks to Arizona Foundation Solutions, this family will no longer have to worry about vertical cracks in the foundation, sinking floors, or other construction repairs. If you're searching for “foundation repair near me” or need a home foundation inspection near you, Arizona Foundation Solutions is here to help!