Amazing Foundation Support Installed on Frozen Lake in Ely, MN
Challenge
One of the more unique projects DBS has worked on in recent years was conducted back in the winter of 2017. An individual in Ely, MN had experienced structural damage to their boathouse during a series of storms, and the wood foundation was lacking support. This was worrisome for the owner, as they did not want anything more serious to occur to their home away from home. Looking for a solution, they reached out to DBS. After a thorough inspection by Design Specialist Royce Bunn, it was concluded that the foundation would need helical piers installed in order to properly support the structure. The only problem was that a majority of the foundation was built in to the lake, and rested below water level. This meant that there would be no surface to work upon. Luckily, a plan was set in place that would allow the crew to carry out the job.
Solution
It was decided that the crew would wait until the winter time when the water freezes to successfully carry out the operation. Once the ice thickened, they would be able to access the foundation all the way around the boathouse, and also use the right equipment for the project. The job consisted of helical pier installation, which are steel piers attached to plates that are embedded below ground level and anchor the weight of a home foundation. In this case, a total of 28 helical piers were to be installed for maximum support. For one portion of the project, DBS had to operate a mini excavator along the frozen water to help gain access to the bottom of the foundation and speed the process of the pier installation. This required precise concentration and care with each maneuver. There were other small challenges that came up throughout the duration of the assignment, but it was nothing our crew couldn’t handle. All in all, the project was a big success. The homeowner was thrilled to know they now have a more stable boathouse foundation, and DBS was excited to have been apart of the process.
