The Basement Doctor of Cincinnati Before & After Photos

The floorboards above this crawl space were sagging and cracking because the concrete block columns supporting them were sinking into the soil. Prolonged dry weather had caused the soil to shrink, creating gaps that allowed the concrete blocks to settle further into the ground. With the blocks no longer able to hold the weight of the home's first floor, the structure began to fail.

The homeowners attempted a DIY fix, using a makeshift arrangement of 2x4s and cinder blocks. Unfortunately, this approach lacked the stability and strength needed to support the crawlspace or anchor securely to solid ground.

To solve the problem, we installed our SmartJack Crawl Space Support System. SmartJacks are designed to prevent sinking by distributing the load across their uniquely engineered, bulb-shaped foundation. They're also adjustable, ensuring that the floors remain level and supported over the long term. With SmartJacks in place, the homeowners can now rest assured that their floors will stay strong and stable for years to come.

Before and After: Replacing Failing Lally Columns with SmartJack® Posts in Jamestown, OH

In Jamestown, OH, a homeowner faced structural concerns due to failing lally columns in their basement. These traditional steel columns, often concrete-filled, are designed to support significant loads. However, over time, factors like corrosion, inadequate footing, or improper installation can compromise their integrity.

Before:

• Visible Signs of Failure: The existing lally columns showed signs of rust and deterioration, raising concerns about their load-bearing capacity.

• Structural Concerns: The homeowner noticed uneven floors and minor cracks in the walls, indicating potential settling issues.

• Limited Adjustability: Traditional lally columns lack the flexibility to adjust post-installation, making it challenging to address settling problems.

After:

• Installation of SmartJack® Posts: We replaced the failing lally columns with our SmartJack® system. These galvanized steel posts are designed for crawl space and basement applications, offering superior strength and adjustability.

• Enhanced Load-Bearing Capacity: SmartJack® posts are engineered to support substantial loads, providing immediate stabilization to the structure.

• Adjustable Solution: Unlike traditional lally columns, SmartJack® posts can be adjusted over time, allowing for precise leveling and long-term support.

• Corrosion Resistance: The galvanized coating on SmartJack® posts ensures durability and resistance to moisture-related corrosion.

This transformation not only addressed the immediate structural concerns but also provided the homeowner with peace of mind, knowing their basement support system is robust and adaptable for the future.

This shallow crawl space in New Vienna, OH, needed some protection against moisture and settling concrete columns. We first repaired the sagging columns by jacking the main beams with our SmartJack crawl space posts and straightening the joists out. We then fixed the musty smells by installing our CleanSpace vapor barrier, wrapping it over the entire floor and up the walls and columns. This home now smells clean and has straight floors, which the homeowners were very appreciative of. 

This homeowner in New Vienna, OH, had sagging floor joists, so they thought they would try and fix the problem themselves by using jack posts from their local hardware store. The homeowner quickly realized that these posts stood no chance against the weight of the frame, so they gave us a call to install our heavy duty SmartJack posts. These posts are made of galvanized steel, which helps prevent rust. These supports can hold up to 60,000 vertical pounds, compared to the lally columns seen in the before photo, which can only hold up to 23,000 pounds. The homeowner was happy to know that their floors are now safe and sturdy as can be. 

This home had a crawlspace and a basement. This basement/crawlspace was made of poured concrete walls which were leaking water. This was considered one of our bigger jobs as we installed, Waterguard, CleanSpace, a SuperSump, and a SaniDry Sedona dehumidifier. We also sprayed Anabec cleaner and spray foam insulation to clean the mold and keep the basement insulated.