Julian Construction Blog

So. California Rainfall Good News for Reservoirs – but How About Your Home’s Foundation?

Julian Construction Warns that Undetected Drainage Problems Can Damage Home Foundations

Founder of Julian Construction (www.julianconstruction.com), Julian De La Torre, knows we need the rain after several years of drought. “We have exceeded the annual rainfall average in Los Angeles two and half months early. That is good news for the Southland overall, but we are seeing more and more instances on home foundations damaged by water.” Julian said. “Exposure to water accumulation and soil erosion can weaken foundations and cause problems.”

Annual rainfall, measured from July 1 in one year to June 30^th of the next, is about 15 inches for Los Angeles. So far this year we have had more than 16 inches and we may get still more before the end of the 2009 – 2010 season on July 30^th. Water accumulation can damage the concrete in foundations and can erode the soil on which footings rest. Homes built on slabs can be adversely affected in the same way.

“Don’t wait until your doors and windows won’t close or your house begins to tilt.” Julian continued. “Just get your home foundation inspected. Foundations are not a part of the home where damage makes itself immediately obvious to the average person so it makes sense to bring in experts. Especially when the inspection is free.”

Julian Construction is offering an inspection of your home’s foundation at no charge. For those who need to finance any needed repair or retrofit, Julian Construction offers 0% financing.

Julian De La Torre has been retrofitting since the early 1990s and has personally worked on over 6,600 homes in Southern California. With this unmatched experience in the substructure areas of a home, Mr. De La Torre formed Julian Construction in 2001 with the goal of making safer homes, apartments and commercial properties throughout Southern California. His partner Shawn Kyles has inspected over 15,000 structures, working with both engineering firms and local departments of building and safety, and is an expert in foundation repair and house bolting. 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.

Earthquakes in the News – Has Earth Become More Unstable in 2010?

Julian Construction Checks the Records to See Whether Earthquake Frequency and Magnitude Are on the Rise

Founder of Julian Construction (www.julianconstruction.com), Julian De La Torre, could not help but notice that major earthquakes seemed to be in the news almost weekly. “Haiti, Chile, Baja California, China – all 7.0 or greater and all within the first 3 months of 2010.” Julian said. “Given the nature of our business, I wanted to know what this might be telling us and whether the planet was experiencing an unusually high number of earthquakes.” So he looked it up.

The U.S. Geological Survey tracks earthquake activity around the world. It turns out there is a great deal more activity than generally thought - about 50 earthquakes are recorded every day. The yearly average is 17 major earthquakes (7.0 to 7.9) and one that will be measured at 8.0 or higher. So, at least so far, this year’s activity is not out of line with the past and the data is not showing any increase in seismic events. This year’s earthquakes are striking populated areas, causing tremendous damage and generating headlines, but neither the frequency nor the magnitude are unusual.

“What this year’s earthquake news is telling us is not that the world is ending, but simply ‘Be prepared’.” Julian continued. “The location and timing of earthquakes is not subject to prediction with current technology, so good preparation is the best defense.”

Julian Construction is offering an inspection of your home’s foundation at no charge. For those who need to finance any needed repair or retrofit, Julian Construction offers 0% financing.

Julian De La Torre has been retrofitting since the early 1990s and has personally worked on over 6,600 homes in Southern California. With this unmatched experience in the substructure areas of a home, Mr. De La Torre formed Julian Construction in 2001 with the goal of making safer homes, apartments and commercial properties throughout Southern California. His partner Shawn Kyles has inspected over 15,000 structures, working with both engineering firms and local departments of building and safety, and is an expert in foundation repair and house bolting. 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.

Comparison of Earthquakes in Chile and Haiti Shows Value of Preparation

Julian Construction Points to Building Codes as a Key Factor that Minimized Tragedy in Chile and Devastated Haiti.

Founder of Julian Construction (www.julianconstruction.com), Julian De La Torre, was stunned by the vastly different outcomes of the two natural disasters. “Chile’s earthquake was 500 times more powerful than Haiti’s, yet less than 1000 people died compared to more than 220,000 in Haiti.” De La Torre said. “Chile is used to earthquakes and has experienced huge events within the last 50 years, resulting in rigorous building codes that kept most buildings from collapse. Haiti’s last big earthquake was 250 years ago and it is reported there are no building codes there at all. Experience and preparation made an enormous difference.”

Chile’s quake was also centered deeper and further away from population areas, both favorable factors for survival of both people and architecture. Chile’s emergency services have been in place and were in evidence at once – this kind of natural disaster was not new to them. Haiti, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, had no planning in place.

“California also has good building codes designed to prevent building collapse and minimize damage from earthquakes.” Julian continued. “But much of our housing stock and a considerable number of commercial buildings predate these codes and so are at risk. The anchoring of the structure to the foundations of the building is a common area of vulnerability. It is also our area of expertise.”

Julian Construction is offering an inspection of your home’s foundation at no charge. For those who need to finance any needed repair or retrofit, Julian Construction offers 0% financing.

Julian De La Torre has been retrofitting since the early 1990s and has personally worked on over 6,600 homes in Southern California. With this unmatched experience in the substructure areas of a home, Mr. De La Torre formed Julian Construction in 2001 with the goal of making safer homes, apartments and commercial properties throughout Southern California. His partner Shawn Kyles has inspected over 15,000 structures, working with both engineering firms and local departments of building and safety, and is an expert in foundation repair and house bolting. 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.

Pico Rivera 4.4. Magnitude Earthquake Prompts Offer of Free Foundation Inspection

Julian Construction Wants Southern California’s Homeowners to be Prepared for the Next One

LOS ANGELES: Founder of Julian Construction (www.julianconstruction.com), Julian De La Torre, breathed a sigh of relief when this week’s earthquake, centered near Pico Rivera eleven miles east of Los Angeles civic center, turned out to be minor, resulting in little damage. “It is a wake-up call for home owners and property managers who are not certain of the strength of their foundations.” Julian said. “We live on top of an active seismic area and the time to prepare is before the earth starts shaking the next time.”

Areas of concern include the security of the attachment of a building to its foundations and how well the floors are tied down. Julian Construction will inspect at no charge. “Chile was so much better prepared than Haiti for earthquakes, resulting in far less damage and loss of life. The next earthquake may not be only a 4.4 so I urge you to get an inspection so that you can be prepared,” Julian stated.

Julian Construction also offers 0% financing for those who need to finance their any needed repair or retrofit. 

Julian De La Torre has been doing earthquake retrofitting and foundation repair since the early 1990s and has personally worked on over 6,600 homes in Southern California. With this unmatched experience in the substructure areas of a home, Julian formed Julian Construction in 2001 with the goal of making safer homes, apartments and commercial properties throughout Southern California. His partner Shawn Kyles has inspected over 15,000 structures, working with both engineering firms and local departments of building and safety, and is an expert in foundation repair and house bolting. 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.

How to Tell If Your Home Foundation Needs an Inspection

by Shawn Kyles

The foundation is one of the most important areas of your home. Cracks or other weaknesses in your foundation can cause many problems in your home, and should be addressed quickly.

Some of the signs that you may be having a foundation problem are:

• Windows and doors that won’t open, close or lock properly
• Cracks in walls or ceilings
• Tilting or sloping floors
• Cracks through brick mortar
• Twisted or un-even outdoor siding
• Out-of-square garage doors

These are indicators that your home may need foundation repair or even replacement.  Addressing the needs before the problems develop into safety hazards can save homeowners money and the difficulties of temporary relocation.

Some homes were built without reinforced concrete foundations which can deteriorate over time. Others have suffered due to drainage problems or earth movement. Poor drainage can be a major contributor to increases in soil moisture, causing foundation problems. Rain falling into gutters should be directed away from the house. Gutter downspouts should not release water right next to the foundation. And bad soil problems can cause foundation difficulties even with homes as new as two years old.

Sometimes these problems do not necessarily mean you need a new foundation, but you have breaks in your foundation due to prior earth movement, age or even poor drainage. Left unchecked and uncorrected, these breaks in the foundation and stem wall can lead to additional cost and, in many cases, pose a risk to your structure. Often, the cracks can be repaired simply with a metal strap, epoxy injection or a pad known as an underpin, making yours a safer home.

There are many good reasons for foundation replacement. Some homes were built without a concrete and steel foundation, while others were made of un-reinforced masonry, that of brick or stone. In some cases, the original concrete was made of poor quality materials or has been badly deteriorated over the years. In most cases you can live in your home while a foundation contractor installs your new foundation.