What's A Deep Foundation?

A deep foundation is a type of foundation that has support columns, pillars or piles that have been driven deep into the ground or until they reach bedrock. This is done to provide additional stabilization when the surface soil can no longer support the weight of your home.

When your home experiences foundation problems, like settlement, a deep foundation solution may be installed to stop settlement while providing additional support to your home.

For example, if your home has cracked bricks caused by settlement then push piers, or resistance piles, may be installed. The piers are installed beneath your home’s foundation footing and then driven into bedrock or stable soil.

JES Grows Staff with CFO and Engineer

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA (February 27, 2012) — JES, a leading engineering solutions company specializing in foundation repair, basement waterproofing and crawlspace moisture control, has added another engineer and Chief Financial Officer to the team.

The new additions will allow JES to continue to provide outstanding service and solutions to their growing clientele in Virginia, Maryland, Washington D.C. and Northeastern North Carolina. JES introduces Guy L. Stello, CPA, MBA as the Chief Financial Officer, and Chris Williamson, P.E. as the Commercial Division and Permitting Engineer.

Guy L. Stello, CFO

Guy L. Stello comes to JES from Headgear, Inc. where he was the Chief Financial Officer and served as the head of accounting, finance and IT. Guy received his B.S. in Business Administration from Bucknell University and his MBA from The College of William and Mary.

With over 21 years of experience in corporate financial management, planning and operations, Guy’s expertise will benefit JES in his role as CFO where he will oversee corporate finance, accounting and IT.

Chris Williamson, PE, Engineer

Chris Williamson comes to JES from Hetherington Engineering, Inc. in Carlsbad, California where he served as a Project Engineer specializing in foundation analysis, stabilization and design. He graduated from the University of South Carolina with a B.S. in Civil Engineering.

Chris’ 8 years of experience in geotechnical engineering and construction testing will greatly benefit JES in his new role in the Commercial Division where he will be responsible for business development, permitting and engineering support on projects.  

“As our business continues to grow, so does our need for talented individuals,” says Jesse Waltz, P.E., President of JES Construction, Inc. “The expertise that Guy and Chris bring to JES will help take the business to the next level.” 

About JES Construction

JES is a structural engineering solutions firm specializing in residential and commercial foundation repair, basement waterproofing systems, and crawl space moisture control systems. The company is the region’s largest authorized dealer for Foundation Supportworks™ products, Basement Systems® products, and CleanSpace® crawl space encapsulation products. In 2011 JES was recognized as the number one dealer, world-wide, for the Foundation Supportworks SmartJack™ Floor Leveling System, the Foundation Supportworks Push Pier™ System second largest world-wide dealer for Foundation Supportworks ™ products in total sales, as the second largest world-wide dealer for CleanSpace® crawl space encapsulation products in total sales, and as the 6th largest dealer world-wide for Basement Systems® in total sales. JES operates out of three locations in Virginia including Virginia Beach, Chester, and Manassas and serves Virginia, Maryland,Washington D.C. and Northeastern North Carolina. For more information about JES Construction please visit www.jeswork.com.

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For more information contact:

Eric Lackey
Office: (757) 558.9909
Toll Free: 877-JES-WORK
Cell: (757) 749.5875
elackey@jesnow.com

Dear JES: Why is My Concrete Foundation Chipping?

Dear JES: 

I've noticed chipping in the concrete in my basement foundation. What's causing this and should I worry about it.

 - Jennifer H., Manassas, VA

Praise From Our Customers

"The field investigation and subsequent work was very good.  The construction team was very professional and did a great job. Their effort to keep the site clean was exceptional.

The brick mason you used was one of the best I have ever seen. He was very conscientious and took extra time to clean up and prevent dusting as much as possible. The work is barely noticeable.

In my opinion as a consulting engineer, your team did a very good professional job for me."

  

John A., PE 

Chesapeake, VA

Warmer Winters Can Make Crawl Space Problems Worse

While some of us are enjoying the warmer winter, it could be wreaking havoc in your crawl space. 

The warmer weather invites moisture into your home and contributes to the problems caused by the stack effect. Jesse Waltz, PE explains the stack effect and how it can create problems in your home:

Meet the Staff: Adrian Reddington

Adrian Reddington is JES's Business Manager. He oversees all aspects of the business, from sales to production and service.

Adrian joined JES in 2006 and has played a critical role in the success of JES' Tidewater office. 

He often goes out into the field to oversee installations and worked closely with the JES crew during the 2008 and 2011 Extreme Makeover Home Editions in New Orleans and Virginia Beach. JES installed waterproofing and moisture management solutions to 2 deserving families.

In addition to being a Certified Structural & Waterproofing Design Specialist, Certified Crawl Space Specialist and System Design Specialist, Adrian holds degrees in Plant Science, Landscaping Contracting and Landscaping Development from The State University of New York and Colorado State University.

  

Continuing Education

Adrian (front) with the Ivy team

We kicked off celebrating Engineer's month by teaching a continuing education course at Ivy Architectural Innovations in Virginia Beach. 

Adrian Reddington, JES Business Manager, Hampton Roads Region, gave a presentation titled Crawl Space Science to the team at Ivy.


David E. Stinnette, PE was a guest speaker at ITT. He discussed deep foundation solutions, helical piles and push piers to a group of engineering and architecture students. 

Ela J. Nowak, M. Arch. Eng., AIA Assoc., ADDA, School Chair, of the School of Drafting and Design at ITT invited JES to  come out and speak to her students.

David's explaining the science
behind helical piers

David E. Stinnette, PE with Ela
Nowak, and Eric Lackey

Are you interested in our continuing education opportunities or want to schedule a guest speaker for your office or professional association? 

Take a look at our website for future courses or contact us to schedule a guest speaker. 

How to Fix Basement Leaks

You have several options when it comes to waterproofing your basement. While there are several schools of thought when it comes to waterproofing, you should always do your research before committing to a solution that will last for the long term. 


Here are a few commonly recommended solutions that can end up creating more problems than they solve! 

Negative-Side Waterproofing 
This type of basement waterproofing involves painting over the cracks or using a hydraulic cement to seal the cracks where water's leaking through. 

The History of Civil Engineering

"Scientists investigate that which already is; engineers create that which has never been." -Albert Einstein 

Engineering has been around for thousands of years. It began between 4000 and 2000 BC when the nomadic tribes in Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia started to settle and develop towns and cities. The need for a strong, long lasting shelter, transportation and reliable water sources began the development, study and practice of various engineering principles. 

Until modern times, civil engineering and architecture were considered one in the same, the titles used interchangeably. It wasn't until the 18th century that Civil Engineering was defined as all forms of civilian engineering which excluded military engineering.

Read the rest of the article. 

Why A Basement Dehumidifier Matters

What's a Basement Dehumidifier? 
In it's simplest state, a basement dehumidifier removes moisture from the air. A good dehumidifier will also remove mold spores, dust mite droppings and musty smells. 

Why it Matters - Your Health
Did you know that mold and dust mites are among the leading causes of health problems in people with allergies and asthma? 

Your basement could be at fault for your health problems. Mold, mildew and dust mites all thrive in environments with high humidity or moisture. And the best way to eliminate these problems is to get rid of the moisture. 

To eliminate basement humidity you'll need to invest in a dehumidifier.

What to Look For in a Dehumidifier? 
When selecting a basement dehumidifier there are a few things you should look for: 

• You should be able to set the desired humidity level on the dehumidifier. 
• Make sure to always opt for a self draining dehumidifier, otherwise you may have to empty the water collected at least once a day. 
• Check the energy efficiency of the dehumidifier. Some models can remove a lot of moisture from the air while using little energy.
• Select a basement dehumidifier that can remove airborne particles like mold and dust. Something that can filter particles as small as two microns should be sufficient. 

Happy Engineers' Month!

Happy Engineers' month to the profession that's responsible for saving more lives than doctors! 

"A good scientist is a person with original ideas. A good engineer is a person who makes a design that works with as few original ideas as possible. There are no prima donnas in engineering."  -Freeman Dyson

Here are some fun Engineering facts to help celebrate:

• The word engineer is derived from the Latin word meaning cleverness. 
• Civil engineering is the 2nd oldest engineering discipline after military engineering. 
• Structural engineering dates back to at least 2700 BC when the step pyramid for Pharoah Djoser was constructed by Imhotep.
• Golf balls were engineered with dimples because it helps reduce drag.
• Qanat technology (water management) was developed around the 2nd Millennium BC and is still in use today.