Julian Construction Blog

Home Foundation Repair

By Shawn Kyles

Most homes will have one of three types of foundation - a slab, basement or crawl space. A slab is constructed using poured concrete. There is no space between the slab and the home’s floor. When a foundation is built above the ground, it is called a raised foundation or crawl space foundation because of the room under the foundation, which can be used to install mechanical equipment and make repairs. A basement will have the most amount of room between the ground and floor of the house.

Home foundations will usually need to be repaired at some point in time as the house gets older and begins to settle, or it was built on soil that expands and contracts. Moisture from rain, drains, sprinkler systems and other water sources can hasten settlement, and is often the cause of other types of foundation damage.

Indicators of foundation problems include uneven floors; windows and doors that don’t close properly; rotating, leaning or bulging walls; electrical or plumbing lines that have been broken or dislocated; the separation of the wall from doors, the ceiling and windows; a leaning chimney, or cracks in walls, floor vinyl or tile. When a foundation has been damaged, it will compromise the home’s structural integrity. Not only will this reduce the value of a home, it can also make it extremely unsafe and eventually result in the building’s collapse.

Not all serious foundation problems are easily detected, which is why having your foundation inspected by a specialist is the best way to determine if it needs repairs. An experienced foundation expert will know exactly where to look for damage and can spot situations that could create future difficulties.

Repairing a foundation will be easier and less expensive if any problems are addressed quickly and not put off. Foundation cracks can increase in size over time and allow more water to enter the building. Settlement will also get worse, and cause more noticeable damage and building instability.

A foundation specialist will know what method to use when repairing your home based on both the issue that is being addressed and why the problem exists in the first place. Cracks can be filled with epoxy or foam depending on the type and location of the crack, and support beams can be installed to lift and level a floor. Various kinds of piers can also be used to strengthen the foundation and prevent it from moving, including poured piers, steel piers and pressed pilings. Before any piers are installed, your soil will usually be tested to determine the optimum way to fix your foundation.

A foundation expert is a good source of information on repairs and how to remedy any structural issues you are facing. You can also get reliable advice on how to resolve any water problems that are causing foundation damage.

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Julian Construction Urges Foundation Safety Inspections of Homes

Foundation Repair Company Dedicated to Home Foundation Safety

LOS ANGELES, CA: Julian Construction Inc., a foundation repair and construction company in Southern California, is urging public awareness of foundation damage and the need to correct it. They are also issuing a checklist to assist in diagnosing foundation problems in homes.

According to Julian Construction, early identification and repair of foundation problems can prevent more extensive damage to a home, and in worst case scenarios can save building collapse.

The checklist reads in part:

1. Uneven or sloping floors
2. Wall cracks
3. Wall separation
4. Wall bulging
5. Wall rotation
6. Nail Popping
7. Floor and foundation cracks
8. Doors and windows that don’t open properly
9. Weak Soil
10. Leaning chimneys
11. Poor Soil Compaction
12. Excessive Soil Moisture
13. Soil Consolidation
14. Poor drainage and leaking roofs
15. Large trees and shrubs growing near the structure
16. Roads, streets and driveways that expand in the heat and push against foundation walls”

If any of the above are suspected, Julian Construction recommends a qualified foundation specialist come out to the home to assess the situation to determine if there are any underlying foundation problems already present or if it is indicated that a problem may develop.

Julian De La Torre, founder of the company, stated “I’ve seen what an unstable foundation can cause down the road for a home. Having foundation problems makes a home much less safe and very potentially dangerous in an earthquake. If a home has an unstable foundation it needs to be fixed at once for the safety of the home.”

Julian Construction owns its own company and is built on a “no middlemen” model – no salesmen, no subcontractors. When you work with Julian Construction you get the principals of the company and workers of Julian Construction under your home. The result is the highest quality work at affordable prices. They can be contacted by phone at 323 733-3377, by fax at 323 733-4477 or via their website, www.julianconstruction.com. You can see tips and advice about home foundations on their blog, at http://julianconstruction.typepad.com.

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WARNING: Identify Drainage Problems Before Problems Occur

Julian Construction Urges Homeowners to Watch for Signs of Drainage Problems

LOS ANGELES, CA: Julian Construction Inc., a foundation construction and foundation repair company in Southern California, is warning the public and urging homeowners to be on the look-out for signs of drainage problems, as a potential and probable threat to the foundation of a home. Contact a foundation repair specialist if you notice potential signs of drainage problems.

According to Julian Construction, there are a number of indicators of drainage problems extant in a home. Some of the major ones the company listed are:

• Water pooling in a yard
• Rainwater accumulating on a rooftop
• Moisture seeping into a house
• Foundation cracks

Signs of any of the above indicate drainage problems. In addition to water damage resultant from the drainage problem, Julian Construction advises that foundation damage may also occur. A couple of the causes the company cited were:

• Expanding and contracting soil
• Water penetration of the existing walls

The company urges homeowners to be on the look-out for these signs and take steps to handle any observed.

Julian de la Torre, founder of the company, stated: “In order to protect your home, you need to know about these problems. The homeowners who we’ve visited to help them fix these problems, the majority did not know any of the warning signs or know who to call if they did recognize something was wrong. The solution is to find a specialist who knows what he is looking for to inspect your home.”

Julian Construction owns its own company and is built on a “no middlemen” model – no salesmen, no subcontractors. When you work with Julian Construction you get the principals of the company and workers of Julian Construction under your home. The result is the highest quality work at affordable prices. They can be contacted by phone at 323 733-3377, by fax at 323 733-4477 or via their website, www.julianconstruction.com. You can see tips and advice about home foundations on their blog, at http://julianconstruction.typepad.com.

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Types of Home Foundations

By Shawn Kyles

A foundation is probably the most important structural element in your home. It supports the building’s roof, and walls. Soil conditions often determine the type of foundation that is built, which can be deep or shallow. A deep foundation is often constructed with piles and drilled shafts.

The three most common types of foundations that are used today include:

• Crawl space
• Basement
• Slab

Crawl space foundations, also called a raised foundation, are more common in the central parts of the country. It is a foundation that is built above the ground with approximately two feet of space for a person to crawl underneath. This allows room for someone to crawl under the foundation to install mechanical equipment such as electrical wiring and air-conditioning ducts, and give easy access to the equipment for repairs. A pile foundation uses concrete or wood piles to support a home and is similar to a crawl foundation.

A basement has more room between the foundation and floor than a crawl space, usually enough for a person to stand up in. Basements are prevalent in cold areas, because the foundation needs to be constructed below the frost line, which is the depth that frost is able to penetrate the ground.
Slab foundations are built using concrete, which is poured directly onto the ground. It is a single, solid piece of concrete and one of the most cost-effective and efficient types of foundations. There is no crawl space between the concrete and floor. Slabs are used when the water table (the depth of water in the ground) is high.

Poor soil conditions may require a deep foundation due to settlement issues. Homes built along the coast are usually required to have a foundation that is above the base flood elevation, and are frequently constructed using piles.

When a foundation isn’t built properly or the soil that the foundation is constructed on expands and contracts, it can cause damage such as slopping floors, bowed walls, windows and doors that don’t open or close properly, cracks and other problems that can weaken the structure of your home. Inspections should be conducted on a regular basis by a home foundation specialist to determine if there are any issues that need resolving. Some degree of foundation settlement will occur even under ideal weather and property conditions, especially if it is an older home. Detecting and repairing even minor cracks and damage from foundation settlement is extremely important, and can prevent more serious problems that will require extensive and costly repairs.

Julian Construction Services 55 Cities of Southern California

Company Announces Official Area of Service For Homeowners In the Greater LA Area

LOS ANGELES, CA: Julian Construction (http://www.julianconstruction.com), a construction company specializing in building foundation construction and foundation repair, recently announced its updated areas of service in the greater LA area and Southern California.

Homeowners in the following cities should be apprised of the company’s services:

Arcadia, Alhambra, Altadena, Azusa, Beverly Hills, Burbank, Canyon Country, Carpinteria, Chatsworth, Claremont, Culver City, Encino, Fontana, Glendale, Glendora, Hollywood, La Canada, La Crescenta, Lomita, Lompoc, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Malibu, Marina del Rey, Monrovia, Montrose, Newport, Northridge, North Hollywood, Orange, Oxnard, Pacific Palisades, Panorama City, Pasadena, Rancho Palos Verdes, San Fernando Valley, San Gabriel, San Marino, San Pedro, Santa Ana, Santa Barbara, Santa Monica, Santa Paula, Sherman Oaks, Sierra Madre, South Pasadena, Sunland, Tujunga, Valencia, Van Nuys, Venice, Ventura, Westminster, West Hollywood, Whittier and Woodland Hills.

The founder of the company, Julian De La Torre, stated “I think it’s important to get to know your neighbors. The same goes for knowing where to contact those contractors who specialize in exactly what you need for your home. When a person needs help repairing their home’s foundation or earthquake retrofitting (house bolting) to guard against an earthquake, it’s important they have someone to contact. Our goal is to help people have peace of mind and know that their home is as safe as possible in the event of a major earthquake.”

Julian Construction owns its own company and is built on a “no middlemen” model – no salesmen, no subcontractors. When you work with Julian Construction you get the principals of the company and workers of Julian Construction under your home. The result is the highest quality work at affordable prices. They can be contacted by phone at 323 733-3377, by fax at 323 733-4477 or via their website, www.julianconstruction.com. You can see tips and advice about home foundations on their blog, at http://julianconstruction.typepad.com.

 

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Julian Construction Warns Public: Check Credentials Of Contractor

Foundation Company Is Urging Home Owners to Take Steps To Verify Standing First

LOS ANGELES, CA: Julian Construction Inc. (http://www.julianconstruction.com), a foundation repair and foundation construction company in the Los Angeles area, is warning homeowners to seriously look at the credentials and identity of a foundation contractor, or any other contractor, before trusting them to work on their house.

Julian De La Torre, founder of the company, stated: “As a consumer, if you see a contractor that has no license number you should be concerned, and do further investigation, as this is a red flag. Also as a consumer you should note the license number itself. For example, our number starting with 788, is 10 years plus old. A license that starts with say 876, would be around about 4 years old. A license that starts with 918, would be only two years old and so on. This lets you know if the company has experience or is new to the business of construction.”

He further stated: “Some contractors just use a PO Box, a garage or a small office. The concern here is that it tends to indicate that they have not been in business long, or possibly that they are just paper contractors. So as a consumer, drive by the place of business and ask, does this look like a construction company? Check for a license and verify the number. Make sure they have been around a while.”

Julian Construction owns its own company and is built on a “no middlemen” model – no salesmen, no subcontractors. When you work with Julian Construction you get the principals of the company and workers of Julian Construction under your home. The result is the highest quality work at affordable prices. They can be contacted by phone at 323 733-3377, by fax at 323 733-4477 or via their website, www.julianconstruction.com. You can see tips and advice about home foundations on their blog, at http://julianconstruction.typepad.com. 

 

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Hiring a Contractor

By Shawn Kyles

California homeowners spend millions of dollars each year on construction projects such as adding a new bathroom, repairing a foundation, framing, wall installation, upgrading a kitchen, creating a home office, building a deck, and re-roofing. 

While some homeowners prefer to do the work themselves, many construction and remodeling jobs will require hiring either a general building contractor or specialized contractor. A contractor manages the entire project from start to finish, including architectural planning, securing any required building permits, as well as providing all of the materials, equipment and labor that will be needed. 

Under state law, a contractor bidding on a job valued at $500 or more must by licensed by the Contractors State License Board (CSLB). The CSLB licenses contractors in 43 different classifications, including general contractors who manage projects involving two or more subcontractors, and specialized contractors such as:

• Framing and Rough Carpentry Contractor
• Concrete Contractor
• Drywall Contractor
• Electrical Contractor
• Fencing Contractor
• Landscaping Contractor
• Masonry Contractor
• Plumbing Contractor
• Roofing Contractor
• Solar Contractor

The qualifications for a contractor’s license include 4 years of journey-level trade experience, passing a trade and license law examination and posting a license bond.

When hiring a contractor, always ask to see his or her pocket license.  Also verify that the contractor is insured and carries workers’ compensation. If you hire a contractor that doesn’t have workers’ compensation, you are legally considered the employer, and can be held accountable for any job-related injuries.  Once you have verified that the contractor is licensed and insured, ask for references.  Hearing what former clients have to say about the work that was performed can be extremely helpful when deciding who to hire. 

Another step in the hiring process is to ensure that all of the details regarding the job are written out. This includes a complete description of the work that will be done, any necessary permits, what materials and equipment will be needed, the cost of the job, schedule of payments, and when the job will begin and end.  Make sure you get clarification on any terms in the agreement that you are unfamiliar with.

Depending on the type and extent of your construction project or home remodel, hiring a contractor to perform the work can save you time and money.  A general building contractor will know who to hire when the project involves specialized skills, such as plumbing, electrical, foundation repair, or masonry, and will manage all aspects of the job.  Both general and specialized contractors will also know the building codes that need to be followed, and what permits to pull.  If you are uncertain about the type of work that may be needed, such as the best way to repair a foundation, professional help can be critical and will ensure the job is done properly.

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Julian Construction Shares Tips For Maintaining A Foundation

Foundation Construction And Repair Company Urges Keeping Foundation In Good Condition

LOS ANGELES, CA: Julian Construction Inc. (http://www.julianconstruction.com/) deals with homes needing foundation repair. Upon observing many instances of foundation structural damage , the company is issuing advice on foundation maintenance, and urging that homeowners act to keep their foundation in good condition.

1. Ensure proper drainage. Water should always be directed away from the house. Use gutters and drain spouts to prevent water from accumulating on the roof, running down walls or pooling near the building. Also make sure the ground around the house is graded to slope away from the structure. If necessary, install moisture barriers and drainage channels to prevent water from seeping into your home.

2. Repair any plumbing problems. Moisture build-up from dripping faucets, toilets and pipes can also cause foundation problems. Periodically inspect your plumbing and immediately repair any leaks. Also check sprinkler systems and sewer lines.

3. Keep soil moisture at a constant level. Soil can expand with moisture and contract when it dries, causing settlement problems. Water the soil around your home during dry periods to keep moisture levels consistent with soil under your foundation.

4. Install a root barrier. If there are trees or shrubs planted near your home, install a barrier to prevent roots from growing under the foundation. Make sure any new trees or foliage is planted far enough away from the structure to avoid root problems in the future. Also remove any mulch that accumulates near the house.

5. Weatherproof you home. Properly sealing your house will also prevent damage from moisture and air. This includes plugging any existing holes and cracks, caulking and weatherstripping.

Julian De La Torre, founder of the company, stated: “Many people do not realize how important it is to maintain their foundation, or do not know how they can do this. Doing so will prevent structural damage and keep their home safe.”

Julian Construction owns its own company and is built on a “no middlemen” model – no salesmen, no subcontractors. When you work with Julian Construction you get the principals of the company and workers of Julian Construction under your home. The result is the highest quality work at affordable prices. They can be contacted by phone at 323 733-3377, by fax at 323 733-4477 or via their website, www.julianconstruction.com. You can see tips and advice about home foundations on their blog, at http://julianconstruction.typepad.com.

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Julian Construction Recommends Use Of Helical Piles For Foundations

Company Seeks To Raise Awareness Of Repairing Home Foundation Construction Difficulties

LOS ANGELES, CA: Julian Construction Inc. (http://www.julianconstruction.com/) seeks to raise awareness of home owners to the importance of the necessity of home foundation repairs, foundation construction or older structures requiring maintenance. The company is recommending the use of helical piles for some structures that could greatly assist a foundation requiring retrofitting maintenance.

The purpose of a foundation is to support and spread the weight of the structure that sits on top of it. A foundation can become damaged due to poor soil conditions, moisture and foliage. Foundation problems can lead to cracks in walls and tiles, bowed walls and sloping floors. It can even become difficult to open and shut windows and doors. One solution to stabilizing foundations is the installation of helical piles, also referred to as screw piles. A helical pile is a steel shaft with blades attached in a spiral pattern, similar to a wood screw. The pile is attached at the foundation on one end, and screwed into the ground on the other. Not only do they stabilize a structure, they can also increase load bearing capacities in a retrofit.

Julian De La Torre was stated the following regarding the procedure: “Many people do not realize their foundation sometimes needs repair. It is something that needs to be inspected. Helical piles are a good solution for a home needing foundation retrofitting, because they are not very expensive, the installation can be fast and they are very strong, with a high load capacity. People should get their home inspected to see if their foundation is safe.”

Julian Construction owns its own company and is built on a “no middlemen” model – no salesmen, no subcontractors. When you work with Julian Construction you get the principals of the company and workers of Julian Construction under your home. The result is the highest quality work at affordable prices. They can be contacted by phone at 323 733-3377, by fax at 323 733-4477 or via their website, www.julianconstruction.com. You can see tips and advice about home foundations on their blog, at http://julianconstruction.typepad.com.

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Foundation Problems: Early Warning Signs

By Shawn Kyles

Foundation problems can not only result in costly repairs, but also reduce the value of your home.  By the time many building owners realize they have foundation issues, the structural damage that needs to be fixed is extensive.  Inspecting your property on a regular basis can extend the life of your foundation by ensuring it remains in good condition, and reduce repair expenses.
Some of the early warning signs of foundation trouble include:

• Crawl space moisture.  Water seepage is frequently the source of foundation problems.  Inspect your crawl space for puddles or other evidence of moisture.
• Uneven floors.  Floors that sag are often a sign of foundation settlement and other problems.
• Bulging, rotating or leaning walls.  A settlement problem that can lead to building collapse.
• Dislocated or broken lines.  Foundation movement can cause plumbing, wiring and utility lines to break.
• Walls separating from windows, doors and ceiling.  The result of sagging floors and bulging walls.  Also look for gaps between cabinets and walls.
• Wall cracks.  Both vertical and horizontal wall cracks are one of the most common signs of foundation problems.  Check for cracks over doors and windows as well.
• Problems closing doors and windows.  Foundation settlement and other issues can make doors and windows difficult to open or close.
• Cracks in floor vinyl or tile.  Caused by uneven floors due to foundation settlement.
• Leaning chimneys. Another sign of foundation settlement.

Water that seeps into the building from rain, sprinkler systems and other sources of moisture is often one of the main causes of foundation damage. When water is unable to drain properly, it will accumulate in puddles near the structure.  Water can also collect on rooftops when there are insufficient or clogged drain spouts.  Certain types of soil will also expand when wet and contract when dry, leaving a void for the foundation to settle into.  Tree and shrub roots can also drain water from the soil, creating a similar affect.  Another common cause of settlement is soil that wasn’t compacted properly under and around the building.
A foundation repair expert can conduct an in-depth inspection of your property to make sure there are no existing situations that need addressing. Someone that is skilled in fixing foundations will be able to analyze the location, size and pattern of wall cracks to determine if there are any underlying problems, and look for other indicators of foundation damage.  Staying alert to potential foundation issues can be vital, and help prevent future structural trouble.

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