Fixing Foundation Cracks in Kalkaska, MI, Vacation Home

Monday, July 3rd, 2023 by Cathy Burke

Challenge

Steve and Elizabeth were dismayed when they noticed cracking in their vacation home. First, a crack appeared in the ceiling. Then they found one that looked like stairsteps in the foundation wall.

The house was located on the family’s recreational land and the couple looked forward to living there when they retired. Just 20 years old, the structure was built on the silty soil typical in that part of the state.

The Ayers specialist who inspected the home said the cracking was most likely caused by frost heave, a common problem in areas like Kalkaska that experience cold winters. Frost can put pressure on a wall and cause it to fail, especially if the basement is unheated.

Solution

This two-day project began by digging a narrow trench several feet out from the exterior of the home. It was cold and snowy, but our professional crew didn’t let the weather stop them.

They installed nine GeoLock wall anchors to immediately stabilize the wall and straighten it over time. Our engineers recommended that the anchors be spaced at a maximum of 6'-3".

Ayers’ patented GeoLock system uses galvanized steel plates embedded in the soil away from the foundation and connected with steel rods to wall plates inside. Each rod is drilled through a one-inch hole in the basement wall and secured with a low-profile wall plate on the interior. The basement wall is permanently stabilized once all wall system components are connected and tightened. The trench outside is then backfilled and can be planted with grass like it was before.

The crew finished the project by using specialized expandable foam to insulate the rim joist at the top of the basement walls. This will prevent cold air from seeping into the basement and keep it warm even when the home is vacant.

Steve and Elizabeth were glad to return to their vacation home and enjoy the fun and beauty of nature without constant worry. They can’t wait to move there full-time when they retire!

Stair-step cracks are a telltale sign of foundation problems. During their inspection, our knowledgeable experts often use a laser level to determine how much a wall is bowing.

The first step to installing our GeoLock anchors is to dig a small trench in the yard several feet out from the foundation wall. We work hard to ensure minimal disruption to the home, lawn, and landscaping.

GeoLock wall anchors are seated deep within the hole and connected with steel rods to wall plates in the interior of the basement. All of these components are made of galvanized steel and will never rust.

Low-profile steel wall plates on the interior of the basement are secured to rods that connect to the anchors buried outside. HideAway wall anchor covers are available to enhance their appearance in unfinished basement space.