LOS ANGELES - Southern California construction and foundation repair expert Juan De La Torre, founder of Julian Construction (www.julianconstruction.com), says homeowners should be on the alert for increased drainage problems from this year’s winter rains.
“Poor drainage can lead to water collecting on roofs, as well as pooling and soggy lawns,” says Julian. “If these conditions aren’t corrected, they can result in costly home repairs and other unanticipated expenses.”
Rainwater will accumulate on rooftops and overflow down walls when gutters and downspouts are clogged. The water produces moisture in the house, which can cause mildew and mold. It can also seep into the ground and penetrate cracks in the foundation.
“Gutters and downspouts need regular maintenance and cleaning to remove leaves, twigs and other debris,” say Julian. “In addition keeping downspouts cleared, they should be mounted and angled to release water several feet away from the house.”
Water pooling and soggy lawns can occur with certain types of soil that retain moisture, or when water on a high elevation drains to property at a lower level. Severe basement and foundation issues can occur from water pooling near a structure. Julian recommends installing drains to help direct the water to another location.
Excessive moisture can also make any clay-based soil swell. Expanding soil can lift up and crack a foundation. When it dries, it will contract, which triggering even more structural troubles.
“Drainage problems need to be fixed quickly to prevent water from making its way into the house and weakening the foundation.” says Julian.
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
