Julian Construction Blog

Replacing a Foundation

by Shawn Kyles

Replacing a foundation can be a complicated and involved process depending on the size of the structure, its location and the extent of the damage.

Fully understanding the cause of your foundation problem is the first step in the replacement process. There are many reasons why foundations fail. Bad design, poor soil conditions and moisture issues are some of the more common causes of foundation instability and collapse.

Examples of an improperly designed foundation include inadequate support and reinforcement, cement that hasn’t been cured correctly and a foundation that is too thin. Poor soil conditions typically involve soil that expands when wet and contracts when dry. Plumbing leaks and inadequate drainage can also create havoc with a foundation.

Whether the problem is design, soil or moisture, the result will be foundation settlement. Indicators of settlement include wall cracks and sloping floors, as well as doors and windows that won’t open or close properly

Resolving these underlying issues before replacing your current foundation is critical in order to prevent future foundation deterioration.

Replacing a foundation typically involves replacing both the foundation walls and cement slab. In some cases, the first floor of the structure may need to be removed as well.

When replacing foundation walls, the house will need to be lifted several feet above the foundation. Your utilities will need to be turned off, and your water and sewer lines shut down. A trench will need to be dug around your home and shored in order for the cripple walls to be removed. After the cripple walls have been taken out, your basement slab can be removed.

If the dirt under the slab wasn’t properly compacted, it may need to be excavated and replaced.

New cement walls will need to be poured and given time to cure. Sometimes steel beams or similar types of reinforcement may be necessary to provide additional support for your home. In some situations, more extensive temporary support may be needed during the project, especially with structures that have more than one floor.

Once the new slab has been laid, underground utilities will need to be brought up and reconnected. The excavation around the walls will require filling and proper grading as well.

At this point, the house can be put back on the foundation. Any remaining utilities will need to be reconnected, and the last interior and exterior repairs completed.

Depending on the extent of the work that needs to get done, you may be able to live in your home while the foundation is being replaced. An experienced foundation repair expert can tell you how long the job will take and what to expect at each stage of the project.

Replacing a foundation is a worst-case scenario when it comes to foundation damage. Regular home inspections will often uncover foundation problems before they become serious. Correcting these issues early-on can save you the time and expense of a full foundation replacement. If you have any concerns about your current foundation, contact a knowledgeable foundation contractor and request a free inspection. The sooner you start any necessary repairs, the better.

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Installation Of A Retaining Wall May Prevent Foundation Damage

Julian Construction Inc Advises Homeowners to Get Educated on the Use of Retaining Walls

LOS ANGELES, CA: Julian Construction Inc., (http://julianconstruction.com/) a construction company servicing the Greater LA Area, has advised the public on the needs of retaining wall construction to stop soil erosion and prevent foundation damage.

A retaining wall is a stabilizing structure built to stop erosion and the downward movement of soil on a slope. To raise awareness on this process, in the interest of preventing foundation damage in homes, Julian Construction presented an article to homeowners giving the reasons why a retaining wall may be needed, and listing some of the different kinds that would be used for different home situations. The full text of the article can be found here: http://julianconstruction.typepad.com/julian-construction-blog/2013/02/buildi...

Shawn Kyles of Julian Construction stated that a retaining wall is commonly built to stop soil movement on a hillside, to create more utilizable space in a yard, and to prevent soil movement from weakening a foundation. There are four kinds of retaining walls: gravity retaining walls, which depend on their own significant weight to keep soil from moving; anchored walls, which are restraining walls constructed using cables (usually extremely strong steel) that are anchored into the soil or rock behind the wall; cantilever walls, which are used to hold back a large amount of soil; sheet piling walls, which can be made from wood, vinyl or steel planks, and are used in places where the space is tight and the soil is soft. The company stressed that a homeowner should consult a specialist to determine which type of retaining wall is needed for a specific situation.

The company urged homeowners to get an inspection from a knowledgeable contractor to find out if a retaining wall is needed and what kind would best suit the situation. “Building a retaining wall”, stated Julian Construction founder Julian De La Torre, “will ensure peace of mind for you and your family, because you know that the soil around your home will be stable, and this will prevent it from causing any problem with your foundation. Foundation repair costs can sometimes be avoided with a retaining wall.”

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 Speaks Out On Danger Of Foundation Settlement

Construction Company Highlights Indicators For And Remedies Of Foundation Settlement

LOS ANGELES, CA: Julian Construction Inc., (http://julianconstruction.com/) a foundation construction and repair company in the Greater LA Area, recently sent out a warning to homeowners advising on the settling of a house foundation, and the effects it can have on a home. Foundation settlement is caused by weather conditions, soil issues, or moisture problems that then cause a foundation to settle.

The company urged homeowners contact a foundation contractor to receive a safety inspection of their home if foundation settlement is suspected, before foundation repairs are needed. The company also recommended a method that could be used to remedy foundation settlement. The company’s full report can be found here: http://julianconstruction.typepad.com/julian-construction-blog/2013/01/preventing-foundation-settlement-with-piers-piles-and-caissons.html

In order to prevent foundation settlement, the company recommends the use of piers, piles or caissons to strengthen a foundation. Piers are steel pipes driven into the soil and connected to the foundation. Piles are used to either absorb the weight of the structure or to block soil and water, and can be built using wood, concrete and composite materials. Caissons are a type of deep foundation used when soil conditions are extremely poor or the structure involved is large and heavy, and are built by drilling a large, subterranean shaft. According to the company, it takes a trained foundation inspection specialist to determine which of these three methods of foundation reinforcement must be used, and in what manner they must be installed.

Julian De La Torre, founder of Julian Construction, stated: “There are a number of things to watch for with house settling. Wall cracks, difficulties in opening and closing windows, and sloping floors are a number of common ones. If you notice these then you can suspect you are having foundation settlement problems, and you can find out what type of shoring or strengthening is needed by consulting a foundation repair expert. Once your home and foundation has been properly inspected by a seasoned professional, all of your options will be explained so that you can make the best decision possible regarding 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.

Posted via email from Julian Construction's Posterous