There are many elements to admire in the historic houses, including the original foundations made of native stone. When you consider that many of these ancient foundations were built without the benefits of foundations, steel reinforcement, and modern mortar, it is remarkable that they can last so long. However, over time, so-called rubble wall foundations are likely to be damaged due to excess water in the soil, or soil settling, eroding, or shifting for some reason. When this happens, a foundation repair specialist can use modern techniques to repair and preserve historic foundations.

Repairing an old rubble wall base almost always involves some associated repairs, such as making drainage and waterproofing improvements. It is also common to replace the rotten truss and repair or replace the post and beam truss that provides mid-span support for the first floor. The foundation repair team often has to erect temporary supports for the first story structure while foundation repairs are being made.

One way to save old walls with new technology is to install helical or thrust piers that extend to a suitable load-bearing floor and use these piers to support new beams made of steel or reinforced concrete. Steel brackets and / or studs can extend from the rafters to support the home frame. This strategy allows a new structural system to do much of the load-bearing work on the old wall. Rather than being dismantled and replaced, the original rubble wall can remain in place, preserved with basic repairs like stakeout.

Historic home repair is always a challenge when historic details must be preserved. Many contractors are more used to completely removing old materials and replacing them with more modern equivalents. But a foundation repair specialist must be able to preserve an original rubble stone foundation by using new structural materials like piers, beams, and supports.