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About Jim Hise
Expertise
I am the owner of EXPERT BASEMENT REPAIR in Cleveland, Ohio. I can identify the reasons for movement or cracking in home foundations, basements and walls. I am familiar with most waterproofing and water control methods. I am familiar with and have installed Ramjack, Dixie MacLean, and A.B.Chance™ helical and push pier systems, including tiebacks, steel beams, and rod and grout repair and also several carbon fiber stabilization products. I am currently certified to train Fortress carbon fiber installation and perform carbon repair in the greater Cleveland and Northeast Ohio region. I have been involved with all aspects slope stabilization for over 10 years. Please remember to tell me what city you live in to help me answer your question up front!
Experience
17 years of structural foundation fault identification and most repair and stabilization methods. I introduced Fortress carbon fiber to this region of Ohio. I have always been on site and involved in order to monitor each project I am responsible for.
Publications
Waterproofing magazine issue #2
Education/Credentials
Associates degree...and the school of hard knocks! Formerly certified by A.B.Chance company from 1993-2005. I have a construction and home improvement background for almost 35 years. I bought, restored and resold distressed property. I worked with 4 different foundation repair companies and am familiar with most methods. I also worked for a waterproofing company for several years. I teach ongoing education classes for home inspectors, adult education and Realtors in foundation fault identification and repair.
Past/Present Clients
Hundreds of residential, commercial and some industrial.
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You are here: Experts > Home/Garden > Home Improvement/Repair > Foundation Stabilization and Repair > home foundation repair
Expert: Jim Hise - 11/3/2009
Question
i know that you can't give estimates about the cost of repairing a foundation due to many factors but i have a question. my siblings and i inherited our parents house in arlington, tx. it was built sometime in the 70's and over the years there has been some foundation shifting. my problem is this: my brother hired an independent structural engineer to evaluate the house and i have a partial report that details some issues with the foundation cracking, etc. my question is this: the structural engineer's report gives a specific product to be used. the product is called Condor SS and i am wondering why a legitimate structural engineer would specify a product as the only way to repair a foundation? any info would really help me out. thanks, ginger
Answer
Ginger,
My first question to your engineer would be how do you know how many feet deep the unstable soil is? The CONDOR Soil stabilizing system works by changing a soil's basic electrochemical nature, which inhibits it's ability to associate with water. The soil drains much better and is better able to support loads. This is all well and good if you know how deep to mix or inject the material.
Many engineers have favorite products for repair and stabilization. Many engineers have personal friendships with contractors which can sometimes influence their choice of repair products.
Without more soil testing information I would have to assume your particular site has soil which is very heavy clay, doesn't drain well, and is allowing everything to settle and shift...kind of like walking on a sponge. If this is the case he has chosen a good product. My concern would be if the soil failure is deeper than this system can address and you should be using piers instead? Soil borings would provide this information. It is also possible he has a prior working knowledge of the area soil issues and has used this system successfully before.
You might ask him what other systems would be applicable in your situation and read his body language as he answers! Some engineers are stuck on a particular way to do things and don't care to look at options. You need to find out what he is thinking and why.
Look at my site to learn a bit more about piers...www.expertbasementrepair.com perhaps this will help you clarify what may be needed here.
Regards,
Jim
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