Implemented temporary push piers to stabilize severely deteriorated beams and pilings in a historic home, enabling safe removal and replacement of compromised structural elements while preserving the building’s integrity and supporting future repairs.
Structural Stabilization Process
Overview
Location: Raymond, WA
Service: Temporary Push Pier Installation & Structural Stabilization
Home Type: Historical Structure
Issue: Severely deteriorated wood pilings and beams required immediate stabilization to allow safe removal and replacement.
Goal: Provide temporary structural support for compromised beams, ensuring safety during repairs while preserving the integrity of the historical building.
Key Takeaway
This project demonstrates Chumley’s ability to implement adaptive, temporary foundation support for historical structures. The Concentric Push Pier system allowed safe, efficient repairs while preserving the building’s integrity, highlighting the importance of flexible, engineering-informed solutions in complex restoration projects.
The Challenge
Raymond Manor faced significant structural risk due to deteriorated wood pilings and beams in key load-bearing areas.
Project-specific challenges included:
Severely deteriorated pilings at locations “C” and “B” on the engineering plan.
Need for temporary shoring to allow safe beam removal and replacement.
Potential floor joist deflection and collateral interior damage due to pressure applied during stabilization.
Maintaining structural integrity while working within a historical property with sensitive finishes.
Our Solution
To address these challenges, our team implemented Concentric Push Piers (PPB-250s, 2-7/8” steel pipe) as a temporary stabilization method. Key steps included:
Temporary Parallel Beam Installation: Positioned offset from the existing perimeter beam (12”-18”) to support the structure during beam removal.
Push Pier Placement: Piers spaced 4’-6’ on center with concentric brackets, driven deep into the soil to reach load-bearing depth (~52,000 lbs per bracket).
Evaluation & Coordination: Assessed the need for additional push piers in areas where concrete piling caps were unsuitable, coordinating with the deck contractor for smooth beam replacement.
Careful Structural Support: Applied controlled pressure to the floor joists to ensure temporary stability while minimizing collateral damage to interior finishes.
Results
✅ Temporary push pier system successfully stabilized the structure for safe beam removal.
✅ Alternative solutions proposed for permanent reinforcement in areas where deteriorated pilings could not support concrete caps.
✅ Minimal disruption to the building, with any necessary floor joist deflection accounted for in project planning.
✅ Cost-effective stabilization solution, keeping the project estimate within $50,000 barring unforeseen site conditions.
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