Early Signs of Foundation Settlement in the Front Porch
The story begins with a major warning sign at this home in King, NC: a large vertical crack forming through the brick arch above the porch. This type of cracking indicates that the porch structure is shifting and no longer being evenly supported by the soil beneath it. As the ground settles or softens over time, weight redistributes unevenly, causing bricks to separate and arches to pull apart. This visible damage was the homeowner's first clue that the foundation of the porch needed immediate attention to prevent further cracking or a potential structural failure.
Temporary Support Installed to Protect the Structure During Repairs
As the cracks in the brick arch worsened, it became clear that the porch structure was actively shifting. Before lifting or stabilizing the foundation, our team installed a temporary steel support post beneath the weakened arch. This post ensures the brickwork remains safely supported while the soil beneath the porch is excavated and prepared for helical pier installation. This step is critical it prevents additional cracking, keeps the arch from sagging further, and allows crews to work beneath the structure without risking collapse or further damage. With the temporary support in place, the home is now ready for the next phase: installing deep foundation piers to permanently stop settlement and lift the porch back toward its original position.
Installing Helical Piers to Reach Stable, Load-Bearing Soil
With the porch safely supported, our team began the most critical phase of the repair: installing Helical Piers beneath the settling foundation. In this photo, you can see the hydraulic drive head attached to the excavator, advancing the piers deep into the ground. Helical Piers are designed to bypass weak, shifting surface soils and anchor the structure into firm, load-bearing layers below. As each pier is driven, torque readings are monitored to confirm that the proper depth and soil strength have been achieved. Once the piers reach the required capacity, they will be connected to the porch footing, allowing the weight of the structure to be transferred onto the piers and preparing the home for a safe and controlled lift. This step ensures long-term stability and prevents further cracking or settlement of the brick arch and porch slab.
Securing the Porch Footing and Preparing for Structural Lift
With the helical piers driven to stable, load-bearing soil, the next phase was attaching the foundation brackets and preparing the structure for lift. In this photo, you can see our crew positioned at the excavated footing, securing each pier and installing the heavy-duty steel brackets that will transfer the porch's weight onto the new supports. These brackets are engineered to lock the structure onto the piers, allowing the team to apply controlled hydraulic pressure. This process can often lift a sinking porch back toward its original elevation, reduce brick cracking, and close gaps that formed as the structure settled. This is the moment where long-term stabilization truly begins shifting the load away from failing soil and onto the deep anchors now supporting the home. The porch is officially on a new, permanent foundation.