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I am the owner of EXPERT BASEMENT REPAIR in Cleveland, Ohio. I can identify the reasons for movement or cracking in home foundations, basements and walls. I am familiar with most waterproofing and water control methods. I am familiar with and have installed Ramjack, Dixie MacLean, and A.B.Chance™ helical and push pier systems, including tiebacks, steel beams, and rod and grout repair and also several carbon fiber stabilization products. I am currently certified to train Fortress carbon fiber installation and perform carbon repair in the greater Cleveland and Northeast Ohio region. I have been involved with all aspects slope stabilization for over 10 years. Please remember to tell me what city you live in to help me answer your question up front!
17 years of structural foundation fault identification and most repair and stabilization methods. I introduced Fortress carbon fiber to this region of Ohio. I have always been on site and involved in order to monitor each project I am responsible for.
Waterproofing magazine issue #2
Associates degree...and the school of hard knocks! Formerly certified by A.B.Chance company from 1993-2005. I have a construction and home improvement background for almost 35 years. I bought, restored and resold distressed property. I worked with 4 different foundation repair companies and am familiar with most methods. I also worked for a waterproofing company for several years. I teach ongoing education classes for home inspectors, adult education and Realtors in foundation fault identification and repair.
Hundreds of residential, commercial and some industrial.
More often than not solving foundation problems is comparable to solving a big puzzle. You have to take the clues which are given, assemble all the information which is available and then determine a plan of repair or next best plan of action. I really enjoy the fact that being the owner of my own company now I can do the job as I would do it for myself.
I would like to see a home repair and trouble prevention/ awareness program taught in public schools. I find it incredible that most homeowners know very little about problems involving the biggest investment most will ever make. I own my own foundation repair company! see WWW.EXPERTBASEMENTREPAIR.COM for additional information.
AllExperts didn't have this category until I suggested it! Also... In the greater Cleveland area, almost all homes which are older than 35 years have draintile which is failing or already has. This often leads to much bigger problems than just wet basements. 80% of water issues are due to gutters leaking and improper yard slope!
There are many foundation repair "experts" in this field. Most of them claim to be the "best"... Everyone you will talk to is the "best" almost without exception. Hmmmm...???
| User | Date | K | C | T | P | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dave | 01/26/10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | A great help. really! I was concidering ..... |
| Bhale | 01/20/10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | thanks for quick reply. we will examine ..... |
| Kim | 12/29/09 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | Thank you for shedding some light on ..... |
| Dave | 12/28/09 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | Wow, thanks for the quick reply. I ..... |
| Tim | 12/23/09 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | Thank you Jim. You've pretty much supported ..... |
Amy, Yes, it's strange one location has a gap behind it. Normally if you stabilize the wall you also tuckpoint all the cracks so that the wall won't move outward when the soil shrinks away in the
Courtenay, If the wall is bowed more than 3" you should excavate it on the outside down to the footing. You should then have it pushed back to straighten it. While it's exposed waterproof the
Kent, Cement block walls that are not bowed more than 3" can be stabilized in place as long as the blocks are not busted up too badly or are rotten at the bottom. Fortress carbon fiber is one of
Steve, In order to waterproof the wall you will first need to pressure wash it with 3200 psi water. If this knocks it apart you'll know that the wall was ready for replacement! Once the wall
Brad, I don't think your house is doomed! If you look closely at the inside stepped section you should see that there is just enough room to insert a solid 4" concrete block. Clean out the area

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