What is Foundation Benchmarking?

• Dry Soil: Moisture loss caused by dry, warm weather causes soil cracks and voids beneath your foundation.
• Soft, Damp Soil: Soil cracks beneath the foundation allow water seepage during heavy rain, leading to soft, damp soil that becomes too weak to support your home’s weight.
• Poor Compaction: Poor soil compaction during initial home construction often leads to foundation settlement, as your home’s weight compresses the soil over time.

• Drywall nail pops and cracks
• Brick cracks
• Uneven floors

• Sticking doors and windows
• Floor gaps
• Kitchen countertop or cabinet and wall separation

• Dirt is excavated around the foundation to expose the footing.
• The footing is carefully notched, positing the pier bracket beneath the foundation.
• A heavy-duty steel bracket is then secured to the footing, ensuring a straight, vertical pier installation.

• Starter tubes and external sleeves are inserted into the bracket in preparation for the drive assembly.
• Pier sections are pressed through the external sleeve. Pressure is gauged every few feet.
• The piers are driven deeper into the ground until they reach stable bedrock.

Yes, benchmarking is essential for effective foundation repair. In the past, the absence of benchmarks made addressing foundation settlement very difficult. Without these reference points, installations and repairs were inaccurate, time-consuming, and often ineffective. Contractors needed a guide to determine whether their repairs were successful.

Today, benchmarking allows contractors to identify the pier’s depth and location accurately, ensuring efficient and effective foundation repairs.

• Piers are installed beneath the settling foundation.
• The installation crew begins benchmarking above each pier after each is installed.
• A laser level is set up, and small rivets or other markers are installed on the foundation wall.
• These benchmarks establish reference points for future inspections and settlement monitoring.

Foundation benchmarking isn’t a DIY project, so we do not recommend doing it yourself. Stabilizing a sinking foundation involves more than just driving piers into bedrock. Structural engineers determine the placement and load-bearing support capacity, then install and benchmark the piers. Without proper training, you risk installation errors and expensive fixes.

Contact JES Foundation Repair for a free inspection. If we determine your home requires piers, our crews will benchmark your foundation following installation and provide reference points for future inspections and repairs.

Professional benchmarking is crucial for your home’s structural integrity. If you notice signs of foundation settlement, don’t wait. Contact JES Foundation Repair for a free inspection and quote. Our experts will provide tailored piering solutions to ensure your home’s long-term safety and stability.