Julian Construction Says Homeowners Need to Prepare for "The Big One"

LOS ANGELES - Southern California construction and foundation repair experts Julian Construction (www.julianconstruction.com) say homeowners need to prepare for the next major earthquake which, according to a new study by US researchers, could happen at any time.

“It’s not a question of “if” California will be hit by a major quake, but when,” say Julian Construction founder Julian De La Torre.

Julian points to a study released in September by geologists at the University of California Irvine and Arizona State University, in which scientists concluded that large quakes strike the San Andreas fault every 45 to 144 years.

“The last big quake in California was in 1857 – over 150 years ago,” says Julian. “We are actually overdue for a major quake and we need to be prepared.”

It is estimated that a large earthquake in the region could cause between 2,000 – 50,000 people to lose their lives, and result in billions of dollars in damage.

Julian recommends Southern California residents take advantage of disaster preparedness programs offered by groups such as California Volunteers and the American Red Cross. He also suggests residents have their homes inspected for “earthquake readiness.”

“The motion of an earthquake can shake a house off of its foundation,” says Julian. “Earthquake retrofitting can prevent homes from falling down or from experiencing major damage during seismic activity.”

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

Posted via email from Julian Construction's Posterous

Broken Foundation Slabs Can Be Repaired Says Julian Construction

Company Says Homeowners Can Save Money on Repair vs. Replacement

LOS ANGELES - Southern California foundation repair experts Julian Construction (www.julianconstruction.com), advise homeowners that in many cases broken concrete slab foundations can be repaired, saving property owners thousands of dollars in replacement costs.

“Simple cracks, and even more extensive foundation damage can usually be repaired,” says Julian De La Torre, founder of Julian Construction. “In either case, homeowners can save money by repairing broken slab foundations if the situation is detected early enough.”

Julian says cracked or broken slabs can be caused by shrinkage from water damage, foundation settlement, and poor soil preparation during construction. He recommends homeowners get a thorough foundation inspection if any of the following problems are observed:

• Stretched or buckled linoleum flooring

• Unlevel floors

• Broken floor tiles

• Bumps in carpet

• Cracks around windows and door frames

• Sloping floors

• Domed floors in center of room

• Sticky doors or windows that are difficult to open and close.

“Professional foundation inspections are a homeowner’s first line of defense in preventing foundation damage,” says Julian. “The longer you wait to identify and handle a foundation problem, the worse it gets - and the more money it will cost to fix it.”

Julian De La Torre has been doing foundation repair and 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.

Posted via email from Julian Construction's Posterous

Checklist for Diagnosing Foundation Problems

By Shawn Kyles

Early identification and repair of foundation problems can save you money by preventing more extensive damage and, in worst case scenarios, building collapse. 

There are many factors that contribute to foundation failure, some visible and some not.  Any foundation inspection should take into consideration movement history, environmental conditions, evidence of cracking and other physical manifestations of problems, as well as soil composition.

Here is a checklist for diagnosing foundation problems:

1. Uneven or slopping floors. One of the most common indicators of foundation problems.

2. Wall cracks. When cracks are wider at the top than bottom, it is usually a sign of foundation settlement.  Exterior wall cracks that run diagonally along joints can also indicate problems.

3. Wall separation. Walls that are separating from windows, doors, garage doors, floors and ceilings are often evidence of foundation problems. 

4. Wall bulging. Any masonry walls that bulge above the ground are dangerous and could result in structural failure.

5. Wall rotation. Settling can cause walls to rotate outward as the structure sinks.

6. Nail Popping. Nails can pop out of sheetrock or gypsum walls when there is a foundation settlement program.

7. Floor and foundation cracks.

8. Doors and windows that don’t open properly.

9. Weak Soil.  A foundation can sink when it is built on weak soil.

10. Leaning chimneys.

11. Poor Soil Compaction. Many houses are built using fill soils.  If the soil isn’t properly compacted, it can cause structure settlement.

12. Excessive Soil Moisture. Typically caused by poor drainage and water leaks, moisture can soften soil.  Settlement damage occurs when the soil can no longer support the weight of the structure.

13. Soil Consolidation. The weight of a structure can cause additional soil compression and settlement after the house has been built.

Also look out for:

* Poor drainage and leaking roofs – causes water puddles to form around the house weakening the soil.
* Large trees and shrubs growing near the structure – roots will draw moisture from the soil beneath the foundation.
* Roads, streets and driveways that expand in the heat and push against foundation walls.

Diagnosing foundation problems can require help from an expert to really understand what is causing the situation and how to fix it. If you have any doubts or concerns about your foundation, contact a specialist and ask for an inspection. Any foundation issues should be handled quickly to avoid more severe problems.

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 offer financing to make the repair project easier for the homeowner.

Posted via email from Julian Construction's Posterous