Saving a Sinking Piece of West Side History: How We Stabilized a Local Cincinnati Church
Foundation problems are stressful for any property owner, but they are especially tough when a building meant to support a community begins to fail. Recently, a church on the west side of Cincinnati noticed that a back building connected to their main structure was beginning to sink on one corner.
To get a permanent fix, they brought in Cole Engineering to design a structural solution involving helical piers. Our team was hired to step in, dig down, and install the helical piers needed to stop the sinking for good.
Navigating Unforeseen Site Conditions
First, we cleared the landscaping, carefully maneuvering around a large tree. Next, we excavated down to the foundation footing. We needed to cut notches into the concrete so our pier brackets would sit flush. However, we hit a major snag. The existing footing was 16 to 20 inches thick. Twice the standard size.
This unexpected thickness changed our timeline. It required extensive extra concrete cutting and specialized equipment. We also uncovered and hauled away a load of buried debris. Ultimately, this obstacle added a full day of labor.
Heavy-Duty Structural Installation
Despite the tough digging, our crew pushed forward. We installed nine galvanized steel helical piers per Cole Engineering’s specifications.
We originally estimated a 14-foot depth. However, since nothing in our line of work is completely predictable, reaching stable soil required much deeper driving. We ultimately installed each pier to a depth of 28 feet. Once we reached the proper depth, we secured Tru-lift lifting brackets tightly under the footing. These piers now lock the foundation in place to prevent future sinking.
Final Drainage and Site Restoration
While the foundation was exposed, we took the opportunity to upgrade the property’s water management. We installed a new 4 inch Schedule-40 footer drain and tied it directly into the church’s existing perforated drainage line.
With the structural and drainage work complete, we backfilled the excavated areas, compacted the soil to minimize future settling, and applied fresh seed and straw to the disrupted lawn. As is standard practice for foundation stabilization, cosmetic masonry repairs will be handled by others in six months, allowing the building ample time to settle onto its new steel support system.
Does your property show signs of sinking?
We recommend that you call a licensed structural engineer for a plan and diagnosis, and then reach out to us for a quote!
