LOS ANGELES – Many homes are built on terrain that expands when the soil’s water content increases. This can lead to severe structural problems such as cracks in the building’s floors, walls and foundation. It can also cause upheaval and movement that the structure was not designed to tolerate. According to construction and foundation repair expert Julian De La Torre, founder of Julian Construction (www.julianconstruction.com) caissons can help stabilize homes built on active and expansive soil.
“Caissons can provide added support to buildings that are getting damaged by wet soil,” says De La Torre. “They are economical, extremely reliable and can be used in many different ways.”
A caisson is created by putting concrete and reinforced steel into a cylindrical shaft under the structure. The drilled shaft penetrates both soil and rock, and is typically 2’ to 4’ in diameter. Void material is used to prevent the concrete from contacting the soil when it is poured. Once the cement sets, it will transfer the weight of the house to the bedrock. The size and location of the caisson is determined by calculating the weight that is carried by the structure.
Homes built on hills are especially susceptible to sinking and often require additional structural reinforcement. One of the advantages of caissons compared to other types of support is that they use less steel, and are not as costly to build. They are also more adaptable.
“Homeowners should consult a foundation expert to determine the severity of their soil problem and how a caisson system can help their particular situation,” says Julian. “A qualified foundation company can properly evaluate structural damage, identify the source of the problem and develop a repair plan tailored to the homeowner’s specific needs.”
Julian De La Torre has been retrofitting buildings since the early 1990s and has personally worked on over 6,600 homes in Southern California. He formed Julian Construction in 2001 with the goal of making safer homes, apartments and commercial properties throughout the region. Julian’s 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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