| Reinforcing a Point By Paul Mauer When Levelift | | | | variations in installation torque and pier depth. Upon |
| Systems, Inc. wants to reinforce a point, be careful | | | | closer examination and correlation of helical pile |
| because they may begin by working to strengthen | | | | locations with the available soil records, it was |
| the foundation in your home or office building. | | | | determined that a deep trench from a |
| Founded in 1990, Levelift Systems specializes in | | | | previously-removed storm drain contained loose fill |
| shoring, reinforcing, as well as securing all types of | | | | soil. Without identification of this poor soil, brought to |
| commercial, residential and industrial structures. | | | | light by the helical pier torque readings, the loose fill |
| Embedded in Maryland's own Howard County since | | | | would have provided a conduit for groundwater and |
| 1990, Levelift Systems has earned its reputation as | | | | surely would have contributed to ongoing foundation |
| the state's Premier Foundation Specialists through | | | | failure. By using A.B. CHANCEÂ(R) helical pier |
| exceptional engineering, foundation support and | | | | foundations, Levelift Systems was able to not only |
| foundation repair services. In fact, you may have | | | | strengthen building support systems, but also |
| moved a loved one into an apartment complex with | | | | essentially performed a soil test with each and every |
| a new foundation support or have walked through a | | | | installation. This has proven to be invaluable to the |
| museum with an updated concrete slab support or | | | | owners, employees, occupants and customers of |
| even bought a coffee at a nearby 7-Eleven equipped | | | | numerous settling businesses, buildings and other |
| with helical piers or tension anchoring - all compliments | | | | structures. More than fifteen years after initial |
| of Levelift Systems. But, Levelift Systems did not | | | | construction, the Giant Food store stands without so |
| always have the distinction of being Maryland's | | | | much as a crack in its split-block facade. In June of |
| Premier Foundation Specialists - they had to earn it. | | | | 1998, a leading commercial real estate developer in |
| In September 1992, a new Giant Food Store was | | | | Baltimore City envisioned transforming a run-down |
| added to the Beltway Plaza shopping center in college | | | | historic warehouse into a modern office complex with |
| Park, Maryland. The site of the new grocery store | | | | operational elevators. The developer wanted to leave |
| consisted of fill material and native alluvial Prince | | | | the external shell of the building intact, however soil |
| George's County soils, a mixture of marine clay, sand, | | | | borings and testing revealed a very poor, wet, |
| washed gravel and cobble. Several of the column | | | | mud-like material accompanied by a 7-foot layer of |
| footings and foundation wall footings were settling | | | | cemented oyster shell. Levelift Systems was |
| significantly during initial construction. Levelift Systems | | | | contracted to drill through the oyster shell bed and |
| was hired to underpin, or add support by placing | | | | install a grouted helical micropile, "SS-5" type, which |
| bracketed helical piles, beneath the building. Levelift | | | | can support up to 60,000 pounds. Levelift Systems |
| Systems proposed installing A.B. CHANCEÂ(R) | | | | completed its work in approximately one week due |
| bracketed helical pier assemblies drilled downward | | | | to uninterrupted renovations and was recommended |
| through the problem soil, providing a solid and secure | | | | by the on-site geotechnical engineer to preemptively |
| anchor assembly for the structure. Not only has A.B. | | | | solve any potential settling problems. Today, Levelift |
| ChanceÂ(R) been manufacturing helical | | | | Systems prides itself on affordable prices, prompt |
| foundation anchoring components longer than | | | | service, and reliable results. They have earned the |
| anyone, they have also gained the recognition and | | | | title of Maryland's Premier Foundation Specialists and |
| the acceptance of all major U.S. building codes. The | | | | welcome an opportunity to "reinforce that point". Paul |
| helical pier and tie-back assemblies provide support to | | | | Mauer is the President and CEO of Levelift Systems, |
| the exterior wall spread footings as well as external | | | | a foundation support contracting firm specializing in |
| perimeter foundation of the building and walls. During | | | | the reinforcing, shoring and stabilization of all types of |
| placement of several helical piers at the settling steel | | | | structures, servicing the commercial, industrial and |
| column footings, Levelift Systems noticed unusual | | | | residential fields. |