Foundation Repair Services in Northeast Wisconsin

Common Basement Wall Repair Methods

• Wall Anchors: The most effective and affordable option using our RightWall™ Anchor System to stabilize walls and prevent further movement.
• Helical Tieback Anchors: These provide additional reinforcement to strengthen bowing walls.
• Excavation & Drainage Solutions: Essential for homes in areas with heavy clay soil, which exerts extreme pressure on basement walls.

Less Effective Solutions & Their Limitations

• Steel I-Beams: These beams cannot improve or straighten the foundation. They can only support the foundation at its worst point. Rely on wood floor joists for support.
• Carbon Fiber Strips: These strips cannot improve or straighten the foundation. They don’t protect against tipping in at the top and also don’t prevent potential sliding in at the bottom.
• Full Wall Replacement: A very expensive process that doesn’t address the real problem (the soil). It’s a long and disruptive process.

If your basement wall is showing signs of inward deflection, we offer solutions based on the severity of the problem, from monitoring and support beams to full excavation and reinforcement.

Foundation Crack Repairs

Cracks in a foundation are often caused by settling, hydrostatic pressure, or temperature fluctuations. Using electronic wall monitors, ABT evaluates movement and determines the best course of action.

Foundation Repair Options Based on Crack Severity

• Epoxy or Polyurethane Injections – Ideal for small cracks that do not compromise structural integrity.
• Wall Anchors or Carbon Fiber Reinforcement – Required for larger cracks caused by foundation movement.
• Drainage & Waterproofing Solutions – Necessary when water intrusion is a concern, preventing further damage.

Ignoring foundation cracks can lead to water infiltration, mold growth, and worsening structural issues. Our experts will assess your situation and recommend the best repair method to restore stability and prevent costly future repairs.

Fixing Your Basement Wall Permanently

Let’s look at some of the considerations when fixing your basement wall.

1. Know your soil condition. Soil conditions vary greatly throughout the country.  Homes in northeastern Wisconsin are typically surrounded by clay, and sometimes sand. Soil conditions must be known in order to provide the correct solution for basement crack repair.
2. Your basement wall is unique. A correct solution should be based on the unique conditions found at the home, not a one-size-fits-all approach. At ABT, we have extensive knowledge and experience in basement crack repair, and we have the ability, equipment, products, and methods to solve your unique situation.
3. Remove the problem. To repair a basement wall with more than 1 inch of inward deflection, you must remove the problem. This is why excavation is necessary per ABT standards to remove the clay soil, which causes a huge amount of pressure. There are other methods that do not require excavation and that can sound appealing since they are less disruptive to your yard. However, per ABT standards, this would require a site-specific engineering study to be completed for your specific issue.

If your wall has less than 1 inch of inward deflection, you have three options:

• Do nothing to repair at this time. Monitor for future movement and maintain proper landscaping.
• Install approved engineered steel supports with proper spacing to support walls.
• Excavate exterior soil, straighten as best as possible, support walls with engineered steel supports with proper spacing, install new drain tile, and backfill with ¾” clear stone.

Let our experts give you a free written estimate on basement crack repair. Contact us today to get started.

Foundation Settlement Repair in Northeast Wisconsin

Foundations begin to settle when the integrity of the soil under the footings of a house is compromised. The footings crack and drop, which causes walls and floors to crack and drop and the house to sink. Signs of settlement might include:

• Cracks in exterior walls and in the foundation walls
• Leaning chimney
• Interior cracks in drywall or plaster, especially over doors or windows
• Sticking windows and doors

It’s not easy to determine the source of these problems. Basement walls may also crack due to the natural process of concrete curing or due to hydrostatic pressure on walls from outside the house. However, the process of repairing these cracks is much different from repairing cracks due to foundation settling.

What Causes Foundation Settlement?

• Changes in soil moisture – Too much water leads to expansion, while too little causes shrinkage, both of which can destabilize the foundation.
• Weak soil structure – Some builders do not account for soil-specific needs when laying foundation footings.
• Tree roots & vegetation – Large tree roots can absorb moisture and compromise soil integrity.
• Poor soil compaction – The foundation may shift over time if the ground is not properly compacted before construction.

Solutions for Settling Foundations

ABT Foundation Solutions, Inc., has been helping homeowners address foundation issues for more than 15 years. We know the northern and northeastern Wisconsin area, the soil, and what makes foundations settle. We also know how to fix the problem and repair the damage.

1. Push Piers (Resistance Piles)

Push piers are also known as resistance piles, push piles, pipe, or friction piers. These are pipes with open ends that are pushed into the ground until they reach soil stable enough to hold up the foundation. Once that layer of soil is found, a hydraulic ram is used to insert the piers, which are then anchored to the foundation. The weight of the structure becomes a resistance mass to push against, hence the term push pier.

This type of solution is one of the most common solutions to foundation settlement problems. The piers can be hydraulically driven either under or next to the footing of your foundation. A push pier should not be used with broken foundation footings.

2. Helical Piers

A helical pier is a square bar or pipe that has a helice. This resembles a large screw and is 8 to 14 inches long. It looks a lot like a post hole digger. A hydraulic motor turns the pipe, causing it to screw into the ground either vertically or at an angle as required. The stiffer and denser the soil is, the greater the load-bearing capacity. It has the unique characteristic of having the same capacity in compression (vertical load) as well as in tension (tieback in wall) capacity.

Partnering with Wisconsin Realtors & Home Inspectors

For real estate professionals, we offer a free home inspection program to assist buyers and sellers in understanding foundation conditions. We provide a detailed, written estimate outlining any necessary repairs, ensuring transparency throughout the transaction process.

Get a Free Inspection & Estimate Today

Your foundation is the backbone of your home. Whether you’re dealing with cracks, bowing walls, or settling issues, ABT Foundation Solutions, Inc. has the expertise and advanced solutions to restore your home’s stability.

Call us today or fill out our online form to schedule your free foundation inspection and get a no-obligation estimate.

Why Choose ABT?

Outstanding Customer Service

ABT strives to build a relationship with every customer and provides prompt, friendly service.

Experience

Our installation crews, estimators, and office staff have many years of experience in basement repair solutions.

Training

Our foundation repair and waterproofing crew undergo weekly training to maintain high-quality standards.

Equipment and Products

ABT uses only the best foundation, waterproofing, egress window, and crawl space components for your home.

Accountability

All staff and installers are trained and certified in foundation repair and basement waterproofing. We hire no subcontractors to ensure quality control.