Comprehensive Foundation and Concrete Repair for Shirley Public Schools in Shirley, AR

Wednesday, July 16th, 2025 by Keith Bryant

Challenge

The Challenge: Widespread Settlement and Water Issues in Educational Facilities

Shirley High School and Shirley Elementary in Shirley, Arkansas faced significant structural and safety challenges due to foundation settlement and chronic drainage problems. Additions made to the front and back of the buildings began to settle and crack, pulling away at the corners of the structures and threatening long-term stability.

On both campuses, various sidewalks and interior slab areas had sunken or shifted, creating trip hazards and accessibility concerns—particularly near entrances such as the cafeteria and high school vestibule. Water pooling around entrances and slab edges compounded the problem, eroding support soils and further contributing to structural settlement.

Solution

The Solution: A Full-Scale Structural and Water Management Strategy

To restore safety and ensure long-term performance, Redeemers Group developed a custom commercial repair plan involving foundation stabilization, slab lifting, and a groundwater control solution tailored to the schools’ needs.

1. Structural Reinforcement with Push Piers

To address the separating building corners, five steel push piers were strategically installed in accordance with engineered specifications. These piers were designed to lift and level the compromised sections and permanently stabilize the building’s foundation against further movement.

2. Concrete Leveling with PolyLEVEL®

Our high-density PolyLEVEL® polyurethane foam was used to restore and stabilize multiple slab areas:

Cafeteria Entrance Walkway: Leveled to eliminate a 2.5” height difference and improve wheelchair accessibility. Slabs were feathered for a seamless, hazard-free transition.
High School Vestibule: Stabilized without push piers under the glass doors, protecting the aesthetics while restoring structure.
Interior Slabs Across High School: Over 10 problem areas received foam injections along walls to halt and prevent further interior slab settlement.
Canopy Support Zones: Though control joints may be disrupted, customer-approved slab lifts were performed to prepare for eventual canopy removal.

3. Water Management with the Groundwater Protection System (GPS)

We installed a custom Groundwater Protection System (GPS) to capture and control subsurface water, safeguarding the structural integrity of both buildings:

A GPS trench system ran from the wall perimeter to problem drainage zones.
A sump pump was installed in a 24” x 24” triangular corner, collecting water from both the GPS and a 7-foot Spee-D-Drain positioned to intercept surface runoff.
Buried discharge lines ran beneath sidewalks to a trench prepared by the school’s maintenance crew.
A downspout was redirected to tie into the GPS system, increasing collection efficiency and reducing exterior erosion.

4. Finishing Touches for Performance and Appearance

All treated concrete joints received NexusPro® joint sealant, providing roughly 40 feet of durable, watertight protection against future water intrusion.
Proper lifting expectations were discussed and documented, especially where original construction flaws (such as uneven pours) could limit complete realignment.

The Outcome: Safer Access and Long-Term Structural Stability

Through an integrated approach combining foundation repair, concrete leveling, and advanced groundwater management, Redeemers Group helped Shirley Public Schools regain confidence in the structural health of their facilities.

Key Benefits Delivered:

Structural stabilization with 5 steel push piers
ADA-accessible walkways with PolyLEVEL® foam
Comprehensive water control using the Groundwater Protection System (GPS)
Sump pump and Spee-D-Drain to manage pooling water
Joint sealing with NexusPro® for long-term slab protection
Collaboration with the school's maintenance crew for trenching and follow-up work

Facing Concrete Settlement or Water Drainage Problems at Your Facility?

At Redeemers Group, we specialize in commercial foundation and concrete repair services for schools, municipal buildings, and public properties throughout Arkansas, Tennessee, and Mississippi.

Our solutions—including push piers, PolyLEVEL®, and the Groundwater Protection System (GPS)—are designed to solve the root of the problem and prevent costly damage down the road.

Click HERE to schedule a free site assessment.

Let us help you protect your property and your people—permanently.