Sinking Foundations and Raising Ceilings

A True Story of How Ambrose Remodeling Rose to an Unexpected Challenge

As a general contractor specializing in luxury home remodeling, Ambrose Remodeling plans every detail of our projects. We were recently hired by the owner of a single-family home in the Clearwater, Florida area, built in 1958. The original scope of work included fixing a sinking foundation under a back porch. Additionally, the owners wanted us to build a new, dedicated laundry room.

At Ambrose, we are meticulous about project planning. But despite all our planning work, some projects can go sideways when we discover an issue outside the original scope of the work. If you’ve ever had a small DIY job that suddenly became of big project you didn’t plan on, you’ll understand. In this case, we were challenged by several unexpected problems. Nevertheless, using our experience and expertise, we overcame them all to deliver a finished product that exceeded our client’s expectations. Keep reading to learn about sinking foundations, moldy drywall, and transforming a dated bedroom into an architecturally unique space.

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

That Sinking Feeling

This renovation included finding a solution to a problem with the back porch. Every time it rained, water collected on the porch, creating a dirty mess. The homeowner couldn’t furnish the porch with rugs and limited some furniture options. We’ve encountered this problem before, especially with older homes, and knew we could provide a solution to eliminate the problem and create an improved living space. 

We started by removing the porch and raising the foundation. Finally, we built an addition on the new foundation that the owners can use as a new living space. The homeowner is thrilled with the new space and the options for furnishings that didn’t exist on their old porch.

Foundation Settling

The foundations of Florida homes can settle for several reasons:

1. Soil Conditions—If the soil under the foundation is not properly packed before construction, a foundation can settle into the loose soil and shift over time. This is a particular problem for unstable soils that occur in some areas of Florida.
2. Erosion—Tropical storms and heavy rainfall can wash out the soil under a concrete slab or footings.
3. Sinkholes—This can be a problem for homes, especially in Central Florida.

Ways to Raise Foundations 

1. Poly-jacking Method—We inject an expanding polyurethane foam into small holes drilled into the foundation. The foam fills the voids beneath the slab and lifts it back into place. 
2. Compaction Grouting—A dense, cement-like grout is injected deep into the soil, compacting surrounding soil and filling voids. The result creates solid columns of support under the foundation to shore up the slab.
3. Underpinning with Helical Piers–Screw-like steel shafts, or helical piers, are drilled deep into the earth until they reach a stable, load-bearing soil layer. The piers are then attached to the existing foundation to lift and stabilize it.

The method we use depends on the project and on the degree of foundation settling. Underlying soil conditions also help to determine the method we use.

Height at the End of the Tunnel

In the primary suite, we discovered a different set of challenges. First, we discovered mold growing behind the drywall and plaster, a result of an old roof leak. The mold was extensive and could cause serious health issues for anyone spending time in that room, so we recommended removing the drywall completely. 

When only the studs remained, we discovered the space was once a garage. It had a low, eight-foot ceiling that wasn’t structurally sound. After we removed it, the possibilities opened up. Now we could create an architecturally unique space.

Our design team recommended using the natural V-shape created by the rafters to create a dramatic vaulted ceiling. The new ceiling height, created by the fully exposed beams, creates the illusion of a bigger space and transforms the room into a luxurious, private sanctuary for the owners to enjoy. 

And of course, we found the perfect spot for a dedicated laundry room, too!

The Path to Happiness and the Magic of Remodeling

While most of our remodeling projects take a straight path from start to finish, this project took several turns on the path to completion. But at Ambrose Remodeling, all paths end at the same place, with smiling customers. While we don’t expect problems to arise, we always meet them head-on if they do. That’s because we always consider problems to be opportunities. Opportunities to create new spaces that our clients may have never considered, let alone dreamt about. That’s the magic of remodeling. We transform spaces and make life better.

Ambrose Remodeling is a general contractor in Clearwater, FL. We offer luxury home renovations, specializing in kitchen remodeling, bathroom remodeling, and complete home remodeling services. Our team of construction and renovation specialists is experienced and dedicated to their craft. We own a cabinet company and a state-of-the-art woodshop, enabling us to transform your home into a showplace of design and gracious living. To get started on your next project, please call us or visit our contact page.