Clarke Basement Systems Case Studies: Frost Heave Garage Problems!
Challenge
The homeowner had discovered step cracking in the brickwork on the front face of his garage above the door and along the side of the garage. The cause of the issue is a phenomon know as adfreezing whcih resulted in heaving of the garage foundation wall. Adfreezing of a foundation is caused by the presence of frost susceptiple soils, water and freezing temperatures. Adfreezing is destructive when it occurs in frost susceptible soils and the heaving displacements are transmitted to the structure. The lift of the foundation is not always uniform over the whole structure which causes the structure to become distorted. When heaving occures soil material drops into the cavities produced by the lifting process and the structure cannot settle back into its original position. Over time the damage can continue to worsen if the cause is not addressed.
Solution
Clarke Basement Systems and Foundation Support Works of Ontario has worked in conjunction with a licensed residential structural engineer to disign a process which directly address the causes adfreezing which stabilizes the foundation to prevent any further structural movement or damage.
Project Summary
Engineer: K.H. Davis
Project Foremen: Don Clarke
System Design: Ron Monk