FOUNDATIONS
Concrete Perfection A House Built on Sand Squeezing in a Basement Floating ConcreteWHEN YOU CAN ONLY DO IT ONCE
Never compromise on a building's foundation or structural integrity.
A good foundation keeps a building from tilting, collapsing, and flying away or rotting away. It repels water and invading animals. It is the first concern when starting new construction or remodeling existing buildings.
For the past 20 years, Quirk has designed and constructed sound foundations and support systems for new construction, remodels, additions, and renovations -- working extensively with the lag sheet pier system first suggested by soils engineer Neil Twelker. Using this technique, he has designed and built foundations without disturbing adjacent structures or plants mere inches away.
Please contact us for a foundation consultation, design, or estimate.
A House Built on Sand
This 19th century home was built on glacier-packed sand with a substandard foundation and a chimney that ended before the basement floor. The house sat about 25 feet back from the sidewalk and about 25 feet higher than street level. In addition to replacing the existing foundation, the architect owner wanted to drop the basement level 5 more feet for a street-level garage and an apartment.
This required excavating 22 feet deep. The neighboring building was only 5 feet away and the sand could easily collapse, undermining its foundation as well.
The solution was to dig 17-foot deep wells and line them with boxes built downward to prevent the sand collapsing. The 2x4 foot wells were then filled with concrete to form piers to support the house while the sand was excavated. This box-sheet lag pier method was suggested by soils engineer Neil Twelker. Stacked ecology blocks were used to prevent the sand from collapsing from under the neighbors' buildings.
Quirk served as the foundation/concrete subcontractor to Boots Construction.
