The Problem: A Historic Home Sinking Fast
In the historic Proctor District, a beautiful 100-year-old Craftsman began showing large cracks in the walls. Our inspection found that rain water was soaking the soil at one corner, causing the heavy foundation to sink over 4 inches. This wasn't just a cosmetic issue—the house was in active collapse, threatening the original oak floors and masonry.
The Power of Coordination
Saving a historic foundation is a team effort. As the General Contractor, Realty Repair Co. coordinated the entire project. We managed the structural engineers to design the fix and brought in vetted heavy-equipment partners to drive deep steel piers into the ground. We took the stress off the homeowner by managing the permits, the specialists, and the schedule ourselves.
Step 1: Emergency Bracing
We acted within 72 hours to stop the sinking. We installed 12 heavy-duty steel piers deep into the ground to find solid earth. This "pinned" the house in place and stopped the cracking immediately.
Step 2: The Precision Lift
Using hydraulic jacks, we slowly lifted the house back up—only 1/8th of an inch a day. This slow, careful process protected the original plaster walls and historic wood trim from breaking while we leveled the foundation.
Step 3: Permanent Water Control
To make sure the soil never gets soft again, we installed a new underground drainage system. This directs the Proctor hillside water away from the house, keeping the new foundation stable forever.
— Katherine R., Proctor Homeowner
Foundation Moving or Walls Cracking?
Don't wait until the damage is permanent. Get a GC who specializes in structural preservation.