Fortifying the Foundation in Historic Dillonvale, OH

Challenge

Dillonvale, OH is a proud community built on a rich coal mining legacy. Once home to bustling mines like Crow Hollow and the No. 2 Mine—complete with blacksmith shops for mule-driven coal carts—this area thrived thanks to abundant natural resources and the railroad infrastructure that moved them. But with such an industrious past comes a quieter challenge: mine subsidence. That was the suspected root of the issue for one homeowner, who noticed worsening cracks and buckling walls in their basement. Located in Belmont County—once a major coal producer—this homeowner had every reason to worry about what lay beneath. Like many homes in historically mined areas, the integrity of their foundation was slowly being compromised. Their once-comfortable basement had become a daily source of anxiety. With structural safety and peace of mind on the line, they reached out to Keystone Basement Systems, hoping to find not just a repair crew, but a partner in restoration.

Solution

Our process began with empathy and precision. A Customer Care Specialist quickly set the wheels in motion, coordinating a home inspection that brought one of our experienced System Design Specialists to the site. Their detailed assessment confirmed the concern: wall failure stemming from likely subsurface instability.

To address the immediate structural risks while preparing the home for long-term resilience, we proposed a dual solution:

EverBrace™ Wall Restoration System

This system was perfect for walls showing extreme signs of movement. Corrugated steel panels were installed between steel I-beams, with specialized rigid foam injected to transfer the wall load onto this new internal structure. The EverBrace system effectively replaces the structural integrity of failing walls—ideal for homes threatened by mine-related movement.

PowerBrace™ Wall Repair System

For sections of wall that hadn’t fully failed, but were at risk, we installed PowerBrace—a fully adjustable I-beam system. These beams are anchored above and below to allow for gradual wall straightening over time, all without invasive excavation.

Our production crew completed the work with surgical precision, restoring safety while treating the home with care and respect. By project’s end, the homeowner no longer feared hidden instability. Their basement was transformed from a potential hazard into a reinforced stronghold.

Thanks to Keystone Basement Systems, this Dillonvale homeowner now rests easy—knowing their foundation is protected by some of the most advanced structural repair systems available. Even in a region shaped by a complex mining past, solutions like EverBrace and PowerBrace ensure that history doesn’t dictate the future. What began as a story of fear and uncertainty ended with renewed confidence—and another chapter in our mission to strengthen homes and communities, one basement at a time.