Foundation Support for Lakeshore Cabin in Duluth, MN
Challenge
This cabin is located on the edge of Duluth, MN and was built in 1947. The owners had concerns about the structural integrity of two log cabin-style structures on the property; a large main cabin and small guest cabin and sauna near the lake shore.
Both structures were built on the hillside, sloping towards the lake. The main cabin was showing signs of settlement, as well as sinking due to crawl space supports.
The smaller structure sits about 15 feet from the water's edge. Concerned with washout due to excess presence of water in the soil, they were looking for a permanent solution to protect the structure against movement over time. They contacted DBS for a free, no-obligation estimate. DBS Design Specialist Henrik Makitalo visited the home, providing a thorough estimate.
It was determined that a piering solution was needed to permanently stabilize both of these structures. Our team would use SupportWorks HelixPro® helical piles, driving them deep into the ground in order to find weight-bearing soil to supoprt the weight of the structures. To address the sloping of the landscape, Henrik suggested 3 helical tie backs be installed at the main cabin. These tie-backs are better designed to withstand lateral pressure as soil travels downward towards the lake shore.
Solution
DBS Co-Foreman Justin Lundgren and Installer Trevor Ingle performed the foundation support work. They began by using an excavator to remove the previous concrete supports underneath each structure. Concrete sonotubes are often set and dug several feet into the ground, but they move overtime as the ground freezes and thaws.
DBS used 8 HelixPro® piers total for both buildings. These 3-inch wide helical piers are hydraulically into the ground. The machinery slowly turns the piers into the ground, similar to using a screwdriver to drive a screw into a piece of wood. Once the piers reach weight-bearing soil, the weight of the structures can be properly distributed.
They also installed added 4 SmartJack® beams in the cabin to lift and support the main floor. Our team secured the supports into steel footings on the crawl space floor and the wooden support beams above.
This family retreat is now guaranteed to be structurally sound and protected against movement for years to come.
