Town/Neighborhood: Jamaica
Borough/County: Brooklyn
Construction Type: Residential
Category: Foundation Repair, Foundation Wall Restoration
Problem
A General Contractor excavated the basement floor of a residential property in Jamaica, Brooklyn to gain additional ceiling height. During the process, several sections of the foundation wall collapsed entirely while others were compromised and at risk of failing. Immediate intervention was needed to prevent further structural damage and potential collapse of the entire home. Additionally, the project included restoration of the fence steel post, fire escape, deck and stair joists, and damaged Lally columns.
Solution
Work Area A: Rebuilding the Collapsed Foundation Wall (Approx. 22 Linear Feet)
Our team began by carefully demolishing and disposing of the severely damaged wall sections. The demolition was phased to ensure the 1st and 2nd floors remained fully supported during the process. We also protected the adjacent concrete walkway from collapse using advanced shoring techniques.
Once the debris was cleared, we installed a new 24-inch deep by 18-inch wide reinforced concrete footing in phases, followed by a new cinder block foundation wall. Though there was no access to the wall’s exterior below grade, our team used a proprietary waterproofing technique to seal and protect the new foundation.
Work Area B: Underpinning and Reinforcement of the Perimeter Foundation (Approx. 94 Linear Feet)
To stabilize the rest of the foundation, we excavated around the entire perimeter, excluding Work Area A, to allow for formwork. After tamping the soil thoroughly, we installed vertical #5 rebars every 15 inches, driven 5 feet into the soil for deep support. Continuous horizontal #5 rebars were installed to reinforce the entire length of the footing.
We then poured a 24-inch deep by 18-inch wide concrete footing using 4,000 PSI concrete, completing the underpinning in staggered phases to maintain the home’s structural integrity throughout the process.
Additional Scope of Work
Fence Steel Post Replacement
- We cut through the concrete slab under the fence post area.
- The post was removed and 18 inches of soil excavated.
- High-strength concrete was poured to form a new base and left to cure for 24 hours.
- The post was then reinstalled using galvanized screws, followed by a second concrete pour to complete the installation.
Fire Escape Restoration
- The fire escape was ground and steel brushed to remove rust and expose clean metal.
- Rust-Oleum rusty metal primer was applied to all surfaces.
- We completed the restoration with a final coat of Rust-Oleum enamel paint for long-lasting protection.
Deck and Stair Joist Repairs
- Stop-rot treatment was applied to all joists to halt further deterioration.
- Temporary structural support was installed before we removed and replaced all rotted girder and joist sections using pressure-treated wood secured with galvanized brackets.
- The sunken deck section was jacked up using a 1-ton bottle jack and additional support lines were installed as needed.
Lally Column Footings and Replacement
- We removed the damaged Lally columns and excavated 24 inches deep to remove soil.
- New concrete footings were poured with #4 steel rebar reinforcement.
- Three new 4-inch concrete-filled steel Lally columns were installed, complete with top and bottom steel plates to deliver long-term structural support to the decks and stairs.
Results
The project was completed successfully with full structural stabilization and restoration. The newly installed footings and reinforced foundation walls now offer long-lasting durability and protection against further settlement or collapse. The additional restoration of outdoor structural components like the fence, deck, and fire escape not only restored functionality but also improved safety and compliance.
Looking for expert foundation repair and structural restoration in Brooklyn?
Contact Zavza Seal for a reliable and code-compliant solution.