Choosing the Right Foundation Support: EverJack vs. Footing Pad vs. Intellijack vs. SmartJack

Choosing the Right Foundation Support: EverJack vs. Footing Pad vs. Intellijack vs. SmartJack

When it comes to ensuring the structural integrity of your home, particularly the areas above crawl spaces or those needing additional support, choosing the right foundation support system is crucial. Several products on the market aim to address issues like sagging floors, weakened joists, and the need for reliable post footings. This post will compare four such solutions: EverJack, Footing Pad, Intellijack, and SmartJack, to help you understand their features and potential applications.

EverJack

The EverJack system (https://ever-jack.com/) is presented as a crawl space jack and support system, emphasizing its strength, reliability, and compliance with code-prescribed loads. A key highlight is its ICC ES Report, indicating it is an ICC evaluated product.

Key Features & Benefits:

  • Code Compliant: ICC evaluated, potentially not requiring a separate footing when placed directly on crawl space soil (subject to conditions and local codes).
  • Material: Utilizes a unique molded composite footing assembly with aerospace-grade composite material, making it lightweight yet strong (25,000 lb ultimate capacity).
  • Design: Features a circular, ribbed base with a vertical shaft for easy adjustability via a cap bolt.
  • Installation: Touted for quick installation times (around 1-5 minutes depending on the model).
  • Applications: Designed for supporting post columns in under-floor spaces like crawl spaces, deck supports, and potentially manufactured homes (HUD/HCD approval was noted as forthcoming in the information found).
  • Load Transfer: Designed as surface rigid footings that transmit vertical loads uniformly to the supporting soil or concrete foundation material.
  • Temperature Range: Evaluated for use at temperatures at or above -20⁰F (-29⁰C) but should not be installed where subject to UV exposure.

More Information:

Footing Pad

Footing Pad is positioned as a code-compliant, lightweight, and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional concrete footings, particularly for post-supported structures like decks and pole barns.

Key Features & Benefits:

  • Material: Made from a specially formulated, fiber-reinforced composite (proprietary blend of polypropylene and fiberglass). It is noted to be made from 100% recycled material in some descriptions.
  • Code Compliance: ICC-ES certified (ESR 2147) as a code-compliant alternative to concrete footings (IBC & IRC) but is not designated in either report as suitable for crawl spaces under houses like the EverJack is.
  • Strength & Load Capacity: Engineered to meet or exceed the load capacity of concrete footings of equal diameter and tested to support loads significantly exceeding building code maximums. Guaranteed to exceed the load capacity of all soil types when using the correct size.
  • Lightweight & Easy Handling: Significantly lighter than concrete, simplifying transportation and installation, and eliminating the need for heavy machinery or mixing concrete.
  • Time-Efficient Installation: No curing time required, allowing immediate construction after installation.
  • Environmental Friendliness: Lower energy used in manufacturing compared to concrete, no scrap in the production process, and less fuel for transportation.
  • Durability: Resistant to decay, insects, weathering, and frost-related damage.
  • Versatility: Compatible with various post types (treated wood, laminated columns, concrete columns, jack posts) and suitable for decks, gazebos, porches, post-frame buildings, basements, and crawl spaces. Available in multiple sizes (e.g., 10″, 12″, 16″).
  • Warranty: A 10-year limited warranty is mentioned in one source.

More Information:

Intellijack (SettleStop IntelliJacks / IntelliJack™ Crawl Space Jack)

The Intellijack system is a crawl space support jack designed to stabilize sagging floors by providing support to weakened or overspanned floor joists. It is often highlighted for its adjustability and high load capacity.

Key Features & Benefits:

  • High Load Capacity: Supports an impressive load, often stated as exceeding 24,000 lbs per jack.
  • Adjustability: Features an adjustable design for fine-tuned realignment and to potentially return floors to their original level. This adjustability also allows for future adjustments if needed.
  • Material: Constructed from steel, often galvanized for corrosion resistance.
  • Applications: Used to address sagging, bouncy, and uneven floors above crawl spaces, strengthening floor joists and enhancing overall structural stability.
  • Installation: Typically involves placing the jack on a solid concrete footing or specially engineered base in the crawl space and securing it to the floor joists. Installation is often described as quick, potentially completed in a day or two with minimal disruption.
  • Durability: Built for long-term performance and often comes with warranties (e.g., a 25-year warranty against manufacturing defects was mentioned).
  • Comprehensive Solution: Can be part of a broader foundation repair and crawl space encapsulation system, addressing issues like humidity and mold in conjunction with structural support.
  • Certified: Meets strict industry benchmarks, affirmed by testing and certification.

More Information:

SmartJack (Supportworks SmartJack® System)

The SmartJack system, by Supportworks, is designed to permanently lift and stabilize existing beams and floor joists in crawl spaces, addressing issues caused by weak foundation soil, improper column spacing, or weakened floor systems.

Key Features & Benefits:

  • Permanent Solution: Aims to provide a long-term fix for sagging and sloping floors.
  • Material: Utilizes zinc-plated and galvanized steel components to prevent rust.
  • Adjustability: Heavy-duty, threaded rods allow for adjustment and a custom fit, enabling the lifting of sagging floors. Can be adjusted if future settling occurs.
  • Support Base: Often installed on a solid base of engineered fill to transfer the home’s weight to competent soil strata. Other options include cast-in-place concrete footings or steel plate footings.
  • Load Capacity: Designed to support loads exceeding standard residential home requirements.
  • Applications: Addresses sagging floors due to issues like undersized or incorrectly spaced joists, added loads, or weakening wood from moisture and rot. Suitable for homes with crawl space and basement structures resting on support beams and pillars.
  • Installation: Described as quick and possible any time of year with minimal disruption.
  • Models: Different models available (e.g., SJ288 for smaller loading, SJQ350 for standard loading with a 3.5-inch square steel post and positive connections).
  • Warranty: A 25-year warranty and a 5-year adjustability period were mentioned in one source.

More Information:

Making Your Choice

The best choice among these options will depend on your specific needs, the nature of the problem you’re trying to solve, temperature, and soil conditions.

  • For new construction or replacing footings for decks and post-frame buildings where a lightweight, easy-to-install, and concrete-alternative is desired, The EverJack offers a compelling solution with its composite material and code compliance.
  • EverJack also presents itself as a footing system, particularly for crawl spaces and decks, with an emphasis on its specific ICC evaluation and composite design that does not require a separate footing in some cases.
  • It is highly recommended to consult with qualified foundation repair specialists or structural engineers. They can assess your specific situation, consider soil conditions and load requirements, and recommend the most appropriate solution and ensure proper installation according to local building codes. Always refer to the latest manufacturer documentation for complete product specifications and installation guidelines.

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