Foundation Repair Before & After Photos

In Tower, MN, a homeowner confronted a troubling scene: their cherished cabin and sauna slowly descending towards the lake, with a sagging floor and deteriorating deck evident in the initial photos. Recognizing their concern, we intervened with a comprehensive solution - the Helicast™ Grouted Helical Pile System and SmartJack®. As depicted in the subsequent images, our skilled application provided a secure, level foundation and rejuvenated the outdoor area. By meticulously tackling each challenge, we reinstated safety and reassurance, demonstrating our dedication to reliability and delivering an outstanding customer journey.

When Tower, MN homeowners started hearing alarming pops and noticed their sliding glass door shifting—hinting at a potential future disaster—they knew it was time to call us. As you can see in the before picture, these were not just minor issues but symptoms of a deeper foundational problem. We stepped in with a solution: Helical Piers. The after photo proudly shows a stabilized, secure foundation. We not only fixed the immediate concerns but also protected this home for years to come, living up to our mission of providing a remarkable experience alongside reliable, lasting repairs.

This home in Tower, MN was experiencing foundational issues. The owners intended on selling the home but needed to stabilize a wall in their basement that was leaning before doing so. Cracks also appeared over time in the wall which indicated foundation wall failure. Hoping for a solution that would allow them to sell their property, the owners called DBS.

Design Specialist Rich Johnsen went out to the property to conduct a free no-obligation estimate. Upon completing a thorough investigation, Rich informed the homeowner that DBS's PowerBrace™ Wall Bracing System solution would permanently stabilize their foundation wall. PowerBrace™ I-beams are made of zinc-plated steel so that they will not rust and are backed with a 75-year transferrable warranty against movement.

A DBS Foreman led a crew for the installation of this project and together they installed 8 PowerBrace™ I-beams in an attempt to stabilize the wall. In order to install the PowerBrace™ I-beams, the crew had to excavate soil on the outside of the home because the wall was leaning more than usual. Excavating soil on the outside relieved pressure away from the wall so that the PowerBrace™ System could attempt to move the wall back to its original position. Each PowerBrace™ I-beam is attached with a steel bracket that has the ability to be tightened during dry seasons in an attempt to straighten the wall over time.

The wall has been permanently stabilized after proper installation and the homeowner can now comfortably and confidently think about selling their home without worry that it will fail an inspection.

This cabin in Tower, MN had issues with sinking and settling. The cement piers were leaning and caused an uneven floor. Looking for a permanent solution, they called DBS for a free, no-obligation estimate for foundation repair. 

DBS Design Specialist Henrik Makitalo has diagnosed structural issues in hundreds of homes and cabins in Minnesota and Wisconsin. After giving this cabin a thorough inspection, he suggested our helical piering system. Because the cabin foundation was migrating toward the lake, he included helical tiebacks to ensure that the helical piers installed would not push outward as the foundation has moved in the past.

Foreman Jose Valenzuela and his crew led this project, installing supplemental steel beams beneath the cabin first. This will provide more horizontal support to the structure. From there, Jose and his team drove 12 helical piers into the ground to stabilize and support the weight of the cabin. 

Foreman Trevor Ingle revisited the cabin to install helical tieback to each pier, preventing any shifting of the piers towards the lake.

This cabin is now permanently stabilized and will remain a family retreat for years to come. 

The owner of this cabin in Tower, MN was experiencing problems with using the front door during winter. This is an issue that arises when different areas of a foundation sink and settle at different depths which is why the door was getting stuck. In hopes of finding a permanent solution so that they can use the cabin year-round, the owner called DBS.

Design Specialist James Miller went out to the property to conduct a free no-obligation estimate for the cabin owner. After a thorough inspection, James informed the owner about the sinking and settling that was causing the issue and advised them that DBS's solution called helical piers would solve their problem. Helical piers are driven into the ground beneath a structure's foundation. Their purpose is to stabilize the foundation from further sinking and in some cases, can even level structures back to their original position.

Foreman Tyler Nacey led the installation of this project with his crew. Together they installed 4 helical piers underneath the cabin. The helical piers are backed with a 25-year warranty against movement so the owner can confidently install new doors without worry.

Now that the cabin has been permanently stabilized, the owner can relax comfortably and safely in their cabin year-round.