UNITED STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS OF ILLINOIS, INC
United Structural Systems of Illinois, Inc. was founded by Brian Donlea in 1979 as a basement waterproofing contractor. Over the next decade, the company grew and started servicing more and more customers. This is when it was discovered that more people were experiencing the need for structural foundation repair services.
The structural division of USS was founded in 1990. It focused on every element of structural foundation repair but created dedicated divisions for repairs and waterproofing to stay true to the company’s original vision.
From the very beginning, USS has been focused on providing customers with honest evaluations and permanent repairs that are cost-efficient. We have repaired and waterproofed thousands of structures since our doors opened.
Business Hours
Commercial Helical Pile Installation
Helical piles, also referred to as helical piers, resemble large steel screws that are advanced into the ground on a drive head attached to a backhoe or skid steer. The steel pile is drilled into the ground like a corkscrew.
Soil torque is monitored every step of the way and actually increases the deeper the pile goes. Installers use a gauge attached to the drive head to keep track of the soil torque. They need to reach an exact level and torque to ensure foundation stability.
Once the lead section of a helical pile is installed, extensions are added as the pile goes deeper. The pile will permanently support the weight of the foundation once it’s driven to the proper soil torque.
Resistance & Micro Pile Installation
What happens to your commercial building, warehouse, condominium or apartment building when the foundation is starting to settle or sink? This problem doesn’t have to be permanent, and there is something you can do about it.
United Structural Systems of Illinois, Inc. recommends resistance pile installation for any commercial buildings suffering from a settling or sinking foundation.
Resistance piles, push piers or hydraulic driven piers are hydraulically driven deep into the subsurface to proper load-bearing strata. They are used for vertical settlement or sinking.
Helical Tieback Anchor Installation
These anchors are an easy and permanent solution to basement walls that are bulging or bowing. For installation, the lead section of the helical pier is placed through a hole from the outside. A tieback is advanced into the soil at an approximate 15-degree angle.
The tieback is driven into the ground until it reaches proper soil torque. At this point, the wall is stabilized so no future movement will occur. Installers can also realign your wall to its original position.
Hiring USS to install helical tieback anchors is a quick, easy and less invasive repair. They can permanently secure and realign your foundation walls to prevent structural failure.
Residential Helical Pile Installation
Helical piles, also referred to as helical piers, resemble large steel screws that are advanced into the ground on a drive head attached to a backhoe or skid steer. The steel pile is drilled into the ground like a corkscrew.
Soil torque is monitored every step of the way and actually increases the deeper the pile goes. Installers use a gauge attached to the drive head to keep track of the soil torque. They need to reach an exact level and torque to ensure foundation stability.
Once the lead section of a helical pile is installed, extensions are added as the pile goes deeper. The pile will permanently support the weight of the foundation once it’s driven to the proper soil torque.
Foundation Crack Repair
We have the knowledge it takes to maintain the integrity of your home’s foundation. USS has been repairing foundation cracks throughout Illinois for over 30 years. Our company has experience using multiple foundation repair techniques to seal cracks permanently.
Low-Pressure Liquid Epoxy Resin Injection
The USS interior low-pressure epoxy injection process monolithically welds the structure together. This welding restores the concrete to its original strength and structural qualities. Our liquid epoxy injection seals the foundation and creates an impervious barrier to water seeping through the foundation, including the thinnest of concrete fractures.
Urethane Expansive Epoxy Injection
Polyurethane grout is an expansive foam-like material designed to stop water infiltration and maintain a dry basement. However, urethane injection does not offer structural benefits to the repair. When installed properly, urethane injection is most commonly used around pipe penetrations, water lines, tie rods or to fill foundation cracks that are open dramatically due to structural movement causing a large void to be filled.
Exterior Foundation Crack Repair
When accessing the foundation crack from the interior is not possible, we will excavate from the outside of the home. This involves digging from the grade level down to the foundation footing, exposing the crack at a minimum of 6 inches on both sides.
The foundation wall is ground and scraped clean. HLM 5000 waterproofing primer is applied to the foundation surface. Once cured, a bituthene membrane is applied and attached to the foundation surface.
This is the most effective fix for sealing a crack from the exterior and is a crucial method for basement waterproofing. It’s more labor-intensive and can be damaging to your landscaping, concrete or other items outside. USS recommends foundation crack repair be done by epoxy injection from the interior when possible.
Foundation Repair
Our foundation repair professionals are industry experts who can install:
Steel resistance piers or pressure piers for settling and sinking foundations
Helical piers and helical anchors for foundation support
Steel vertical I-beams for bowing walls or laterally moving foundations
Helical wall tieback anchors for bowing walls
Carbon fiber stabilizing reinforcement for bulging or leaning walls
Replacement of columns for beams in crawl spaces or basements
New footings for columns
Whichever foundation repair services are necessary, our professional team will take care of them promptly for worry-free peace of mind.
Basement and Crawlspace Waterproofing
Water seepage into your basement or crawlspace is a problem. If not addressed, the problems of water entering your home will only worsen over time, possibly causing more damage. The resulting growth of mold and mildew may cause poor indoor air quality for you and your family.
United Structural Systems of Illinois, Inc. is a certified and experienced basement and crawlspace waterproofing contractor.
We offer the following services for homeowners experiencing water seepage:
Foundation Crack Repair
Interior Drain Tile Systems
Exterior Drainage Systems
Crawlspace Encapsulation
Gutter Downspout and Sump Pump Discharge Line Burial
Window Well and Window Well Drain Installation
Sump Pit and Pump Installation
Battery Backup Installation
We offer proven techniques that can address water seepage and exterior home drainage from inside or outside your home.