Before & After Photos

Before: Unstable Ground Threatens New Trail Construction

In Iron River, a new multi-mile boardwalk trail—part of the Apple Blossom Trail expansion project—was set to wind through a combination of wetlands, soft soils, and riverbed terrain. While the plans promised a scenic and accessible route through Michigan’s Northwoods, building a structure that could withstand the elements and shifting ground presented a serious challenge. Standard footings simply wouldn’t hold up.

After: Deep Foundation System Installed to Support the Future

Sure-Dry was proud to help bring the project to life by installing helical piers, a commercial-grade foundation system designed to anchor deeply into load-bearing soils. These piers provide lasting support for the elevated boardwalk sections that span the most unstable parts of the trail—including areas above wetlands and near the river’s edge.

The result is a solid, long-term solution that supports community development and environmental sustainability—helping to create a safe, scenic experience for residents and visitors alike.

Before:
In Iron River, MI, a homeowner was experiencing continued inward movement of a basement wall that had previously been stabilized with channel anchors. Over time, the wall began to show new horizontal cracking and stepped fractures near the corners, indicating that the existing system was no longer providing adequate restraint. Iron County’s moisture-sensitive, mixed clay and sandy soils exerted significant lateral pressure during wet seasons, causing the wall to continue bowing inward despite the older hardware.

After:
Sure-Dry replaced the aging channel anchor system with new GeoLock® Wall Anchors to provide deeper soil engagement and stronger long-term stabilization. Each new anchor rod was installed into undisturbed soils beyond the active pressure zone, torque-verified for proper load transfer, and tensioned to secure the wall in place.
The updated system now offers reliable, serviceable stabilization suited to the variable soil layers common across Iron County and the western Upper Peninsula.

Before:
A homeowner in Reedsville noticed severe cracks spreading through their basement foundation walls and floors. The shifting soil beneath the home had caused the foundation to settle unevenly, which led to the cracks and visible structural stress. The homeowner worried about further settlement and the long-term safety of the house.

After:
Our team permanently stabilized the foundation using push piers. These heavy-duty steel piers were driven deep into load-bearing soil or bedrock beneath the home’s footings. Once installed, the piers transferred the weight of the structure from the weak, shifting soil to the stable strata below. In many cases, push piers can even allow for lifting the foundation back toward its original position.

The result is a stable, supported foundation with no risk of further settlement. The homeowner now has peace of mind knowing their investment is protected from future structural issues.

The stability of any concrete surface is dependent on the soils beneath it. The weight of concrete and what it supports, combined with natural soil erosion, can lead to sunken and uneven concrete surfaces. And that's exactly what happened to the concrete walkway leading to the front step of this home in Green Bay, WI.  

Sure-Dry Basement Systems was able to lift and level this concrete walkway using their PolyLevel® system. PolyLevel is an expanding polyurethane foam that is injected beneath the concrete to fill the gaps caused by soil erosion and raise and stabilize the concrete surface.

If you have sunken and uneven concrete surfaces around your home, call us today to schedule your free estimate! 

PowerBraces were used in this job to stabilize their basement walls. These walls over time, due to the pressure of the soil on the concrete walls outside, has forced the walls to bow into the home.

Our crew reinforced these walls with 13 PowerBraces. These galvanized steel beams have the power and strength to push the wall back to its original up right position.