How SmartJacks Help Sagging Floors

Are the floors of the first level of your home bouncy and sagging? You're not imagining things, these are signs that your floor may need extra support. If you have a crawl space or basement, SmartJack can help give these areas a good lift! 

Why Do Floors Sag? 

When your home was built, your floors were strong and level, so what happened? 

• Existing Columns are Spaced too Far Apart

Crawl spaces are built with columns to support the weight of the structure above. If spaced too far apart, the beam becomes overloaded, therefore sagging. The girder sags with it and so does the floor above. 

• Floor Joists and Girders have Weakened 

Basements and crawl spaces are prone to humidity and moisture intrusion. This can cause wood joists and girders to rot, mold and become weak over time. This causes an unstable situation where the joists can not support the weight above. 

• Existing Columns have Settled

Dirt crawl spaces can be built on weak soil, which can cause settlement issues. When the existing crawl space columns sink, a gap is created between the column and girder. This chain reaction causes saggy, bouncy floors. 

How Does the SmartJack System Work? 

The SmartJack stabilization system is made of heavy-duty, threaded rods are designed to lift the floor back to it's original position. It's specifically engineered to support large loads and it's zinc-plated, galvanized design eliminates weaking from moisture exposure. SmartJacks don't replace existing columns, but add strength and stability that can handle the weight. 

To install SmartJacks, expert installers excavate a two-foot cube of soil at each SmartJack location. The holes are filled with concrete to create a load-bearing footing. This base is positioned to hold the SmartJack in place and distribute loads. Then, galvanized steel tubing is cut to the correct height. The steel columns are connected to the support beam and the SmartJack system is tightened in place. The support beam as well as the floor joists are then automatically stabilized and can be lifted to the original level, leaving the home leveled again! 

Worried about your floors? Cleveland Basement System has a team of inspectors that can provide FREE in-home estimates. Call us today!