Pole Shed with Bowed Concrete Foundation in Houston, MN

Thursday, March 28th, 2019 by Jennifer Norton

Challenge

A farmer in Houston, MN, noticed cracks in the poured foundation of his pole shed. Further inspection showed inward tilt of the top foundation wall and a visible void between the foundation and the sill plate of the shed likely caused by soil expansion from excessive moisture. That expansion resulted in constant inward force on their foundation wall until it could no longer support the pressure, causing the failure of the foundation wall.

Solution

American Waterworks solved the problem by excavating the foundation and installing GeoLock earth anchors that were embedded in stable soil away from the foundation wall. The GeoLock Wall Anchor System immediately straightened the foundation and permanently stabilized the foundation from any further movement.

Fourteen anchors were installed along the 100 foot wall to prevent any further foundation movement and cracking. Our crew then applied a SentrySeal Waterproofing Membrane to the exterior portion of this wall to prevent any water from penetrating through the stress cracks during a wet season.