Julian Construction Offers Foundation Underpinning

Process Reinforces an Existing Foundation When Needed Due to Home Additions or Soil Settling

Julian Construction (www.julianconstruction.com), a construction company in the Los Angeles area that specializes in foundation repair, is offering foundation underpinning services to homeowners and commercial building owners in the Los Angeles.

In construction, underpinning is the process of strengthening and stabilizing the foundation of an existing home, building or other structure. Underpinning is accomplished by extending the foundation in width or in depth, so that it either rests on a more supportive level of soil, or distributes its load across a wider area. Underpinning may be necessary for any of several reasons:
* The original foundation is simply not strong or stable enough to support the building
* The usage of the building has changed
* The properties of the soil supporting the foundation may have changed or were mis-estimated during the original planning
* The construction of nearby structures has necessitated the excavation of soil supporting existing foundations, thus weakening those foundations
* It is more economical, such as due to land prices, to work on and reinforce the present structure's foundation than to build a new one

Julian Construction founder Julian De La Torre stated “There are various reasons for foundation underpinning, including to support the additional loads of a second-story addition. In some cases the existing foundation has settled or rotated at certain points and in other cases the interior configuration is modified, resulting in the removal or change of load-bearing walls. It should be noted that each foundation underpinning is unique and should be designed by a professional engineer or an architect. At Julian Construction we can review plans or obtain the engineering necessary for your project and complete the repair.”

Julian De La Torre has been doing earthquake 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, 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.

 

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Julian Construction Urges Homeowners to Get a Foundation Inspection

Urges Homeowners to Make Sure Their Home is Protected & Prepared for Next Big Earthquake

Julian Construction (www.julianconstruction.com) is urging homeowners across the U.S. to get a home foundation inspection to ensure their homes are protected from the next big earthquake. The company especially urges California homeowners to get an inspection, since California is "earthquake country," and the up-and-down and side-to-side motion of an earthquake can shake an unbolted house off its foundation, making for a very costly repair job.

Many construction companies, such as Julian Construction, specialize in foundation repair and replacement, earthquake retrofitting and house bolting. Often these companies will offer a free foundation inspection to homeowners.

Julian Construction founder Julian De La Torre stated “Our company offers free foundation inspections to homeowners, and many other companies around the country do as well. We urge people to get a foundation inspection so they can have peace of mind and know whether or not their home is protected. You may find that your home is completely protected, or that some relatively inexpensive steps can be taken to protect it. But whatever the cost, it will almost always be cheaper than trying to move your house back onto your foundation if an earthquake does major damage. We also provide 0% financing for those who need to finance their any needed repair or retrofit.”

Julian De La Torre has been doing earthquake 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, 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.

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Signs Your Home Foundation May Need Repair

by Shawn Kyles

Foundation repair is a necessary home improvement project for any homeowner experiencing certain problems. The type of foundation repair needed will be determined by the specific cause of the foundation problems. Here are some of the problems that would indicate that your home foundation needs repair.

Cracked Block Foundation: You may see signs of lateral (sideways) pressure on your basement walls. Stairstep and horizontal cracks in the mortar joints can be a sign of serious movement in the walls.

Cracks in Poured Concrete: This normally occurs during the curing process of concrete, and is a simple repair. However, it may also be a sign of ground settlement when combined with other signs such as windows or doors sticking.

Cracks in Brick Facing: Cracks in the brick facing on the inside or outside of your home can indicate that your foundation has moved. If you notice these cracks, a foundation repair professional should be contacted. Avoid cosmetic repairs of the brick facing prior to determining the cause of cracking.

Chimney Cracking or Leaning: Chimney's are often built on their own foundation footer. Cracking and leaning are signs of movement in this chimney footer, and this should be examined by a foundation professional.

Drywall Cracks: A shifting foundation will cause other damage on the inside of the house. Drywall cracks around door frames and windows are some of the commonest signs.

Sinking Foundation: The separation of the foundation from your house is a sign of serious ground settlement problems. This problem must be corrected quickly.

Uneven Doors or Windows: Gaps between doors and framing are signs of movement in the home. When your foundation has shifted, other areas of the home, such as the doors and windows, will show the effects.

The recommended first step when you notice any of these problems is to have a certified foundation repair contractor inspect your home and foundation. Obtaining a professional opinion on the causes, costs and available solutions is a necessary step in securing your foundation walls. 

When people have their foundation repaired, they often opt to take on other related home repairs at the same time. These services often include such things as earthquake proofing, and the installation of seismic anchor bolts. This will allow you to have all the necessary services done at one time. Many foundation repair companies often financing to make the repair project easier for the homeowner.

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Julian Construction Offers Earthquake Retrofitting to LA Homeowners

Urges Homeowners to Utilize Earthquake Retrofitting to Protect Homes from Earthquake Damage

Julian Construction (www.julianconstruction.com) is offering earthquake retrofitting services to homeowners in the greater Los Angeles area. An earthquake retrofit is the process of firmly attaching a house to its concrete foundation using foundation plates and anchor bolts. Because California is "earthquake country," the up-and-down and side-to-side motion of an earthquake can shake an unbolted house off its foundation, making for a very costly repair job.

In Southern California, small earthquakes are common. But we also know that the next “big one” could happen at any time, and probably when we least expect it, leaving widespread destruction in its wake. The last big Southern California quake was the Northridge Earthquake in January, 1994, which measured 6.7 on the Richter scale, and which caused 72 deaths, 9,000 injuries and $20 billion in damage. Whole apartment buildings and parking structures collapsed.

Julian Construction founder Julian De La Torre lists out indicators that an earthquake retrofit is probably necessary for your home: “Homes built before the mid 1980's often lack features that could help to make them earthquake damage resistant. Homes built before World War II may not even be bolted to the foundation at all, or the bolts may be too small and few. A major earthquake could slide such a house right off its foundation. An unreinforced garage with living space above is another possibly dangerous problem. That big garage door opening needs to be reinforced either by a steel frame or by strengthening the walls on either side or it can collapse in an earthquake like a house of cards, along with the living space on top. An unreinforced stone or masonry building definitely needs to be looked at, and is highly susceptible to earthquake damage.”

Julian also listed out some other conditions that could cause problems in an earthquake:

• Two or more stories
• Any support posts, instead of walls
• No foundation, or a block or brick foundation
• An unusual shape
• A location on a steep hill
• Living area over a garage
• A porch that is recessed under a second story
• A neighboring structure touching or almost touching.

Julian Construction offers free home foundation inspections for those who need or want their years of expertise. “Getting your home foundation inspected is the best thing you can do to ensure your home will be as ready as possible for the next earthquake. We also provide 0% financing for those who need to finance their any needed repair or retrofit.” Julian noted.

Julian De La Torre has been doing earthquake 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, 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.

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