Julian Construction Can Help Prepare You for Next Earthquake

Homeowners Should Ensure their Foundation is Ready for Next Major Earthquake

LOS ANGELES: Julian Construction (http://www.julianconstruction.com/), a professional foundation repair and retrofitting company in Southern California, is urging homeowners to get a free foundation inspection to ensure their home is prepared for the next earthquake. Julian’s staff are experts in earthquake retrofitting, also called house bolting, a process designed to ensure safety in the event of an earthquake.

Julian De La Torre founded foundation contractor company Julian Construction in 2001, though his experience in the field dates to prior to the 1994 Northridge Earthquake. The company is dedicated to preventing earthquake damage by securing a home to its foundation, among its other services.

Julian stated “Getting a free foundation inspection is an important first step in making sure your home is protected against the next earthquake. Earthquake retrofitting is sometimes needed. This is the process of attaching a house to its concrete foundation using foundation plates and anchor bolts. California is ‘earthquake country’ and we who live here should be aware that the up-and-down and side-to-side motion of an earthquake can shake an unbolted house off its foundation.”

He continued: “Julian Construction Inc. specializes in foundation bolting and the bracing of cripple walls (short stud walls between the floor and foundation of some houses) by using structural-grade plywood which, if needed, provides greater resistance to earthquakes. These steps, along with properly tying the floor system down with approved framing anchors, will make yours a safer home.”

One customer had the following to say regarding their experience with Julian Construction: “Julian Construction is the only company you should call to retrofit your house. Not only did they do a great job, but they made us feel like we could trust them to make our house safer for the next earthquake.”

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: http://www.julianconstruction.com.

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Julian Construction Offers House Leveling In Los Angeles Area

Foundation Repair and Construction Specialist Announces House Leveling Services

LOS ANGELES: Julian Construction (http://www.julianconstruction.com/), a foundation construction and repair company in Southern California, is offering house leveling services to Los Angeles residents. House leveling is the process of getting the floor of a house level and stable under permanent reinforced supports, and is aimed at remedying cracked walls, doors scraping against the floor and other structural difficulties. Julian Construction has been at work in the Los Angeles area for more than ten years, headed by founder Julian De La Torre and his partner Shawn Kyles.

House leveling is a very precise procedure. Determining the exact location of the difficulty and extent of the problem, the floor of the house is then slowly raised and reinforced by temporary supports until the floor is completely level, at which time permanent supports are installed. Many homes can experience difficulty with unlevel floors, as foundations settle over time. Even new homes may experience some movement of the foundation. The house leveling process does involve using some heavy equipment, such as a hydraulic jack and steel beams for load distribution. Julian Construction has professional experience using this machinery and is overseen from start to finish by licensed and experienced managers.

Julian De La Torre stated “While house retrofitting is a science, house leveling is an art. Many homeowners live with sloping floors, doors that won’t open and cracking walls. Most floors can be leveled and returned to their original position. This work can be completed in a structurally sound manner, making yours a safer home.”

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

Posted via email from Julian Construction's Posterous

Using Helical Piles to Repair Your Foundation

By Shawn Kyles

The purpose of a foundation is to support and spread the weight of the structure that sits on top of it. A foundation can become damaged due to poor soil conditions, moisture and foliage. Foundation problems can lead to cracks in walls and tiles, bowed walls and sloping floors. It can even become difficult to open and shut windows and doors. One solution to stabilizing foundations is the installation of helical piles, also referred to as screw piles. A helical pile is a steel shaft with blades attached in a spiral pattern. The pile is attached at the foundation on one end, and screwed into the ground on the other. Not only do they stabilize a structure, they can also increase load bearing capacities in a retrofit.

Helical piles were first used in the 1800’s for English lighthouse foundations. The first recording of their use was in 1836 by a blind brick maker and civil engineer named Alexander Mitchell. These days, helical piles are used all over the world on many kinds of projects, including excavation, anchoring pipelines and light poles, supporting transmission towers and tunnels, tiebacks for soil retaining walls, and tie downs for manufactured as well as residential and commercial buildings.

Helical piles are installed at intervals around the perimeter at affected locations. They are then extended to the depth needed for the load. Special brackets are used to secure the piles to the concrete foundation. The pile is then torqued into the soil and connected to each bracket. The nuts on the vertical bolts of the bracket are then tightened to lock off the load.

Some of the benefits of helical piles include fast and relatively easy installation, reduced costs compared to other forms of foundation repair, and extremely high load capacities. Other advantages include installation with minimal excavation and without heavy equipment, as well as low vibration. Helical piles can also be used with a variety of soil conditions. They are considered as an alternative to pressed pilings which are attached to concrete and steel blocks; and steel pilings, which are driven into solid rock.

If you have foundation damage, contact an experienced foundation repair company and request an inspection of your property. A foundation expert can give you useful feedback regarding the problems you are experiencing and their source. You can find out the best way to repair your foundation, and whether or not helical piles are the right solution for your situation.

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How to Maintain Your Foundation

Properly maintaining a home’s foundation will prevent structural damage such as cracks, slopping floors, broken tiles and bowed walls, as well as doors and windows that don’t open or shut properly. Foundation problems are typically caused by moisture, but can also occur due to variations in temperature, soil expansion and contraction, poor soil compaction and tree roots. Here are some tips that help you increase the longevity of your foundation and avoid costly repairs.

• Ensure proper drainage. Water should always be directed away from the house. Use gutters and drainspouts to prevent water from accumulating on the roof, running down walls or pooling near the building. Also make sure the ground around the house is graded to slope away from the structure. If necessary, install moisture barriers and drainage channels to prevent water from seeping into your home.

• Repair any plumbing problems. Moisture build-up from dripping faucets, toilets and pipes can also cause foundation problems. Periodically inspect your plumbing and immediately repair any leaks. Also check sprinkler systems and sewer lines.

• Keep soil moisture at a constant level. Soil can expand with moisture and contract when it dries, causing settlement problems. Water the soil around your home during dry periods to keep moisture levels consistent with soil under your foundation.

• Install a root barrier. If there are trees or shrubs planted near your home, install a barrier to prevent roots from growing under the foundation. Make sure any new trees or foliage is planted far enough away from the structure to avoid root problems in the future. Also remove any mulch that accumulates near the house.

 

• Weatherproof you home. Properly sealing your house will also prevent damage from moisture and air. This includes plugging any existing holes and cracks, caulking and weatherstripping.

If there are already cracks or other damage to your foundation, contact an experienced and knowledgeable foundation repair company to find out what is causing the damage. A skilled foundation expert can inspect your property and give you valuable advice regarding any repairs that may be needed to prevent further problems.

Keeping your foundation in good condition is extremely important. When a foundation is allowed to deteriorate, the building it supports will become unstable and will eventually collapse. Southern California homeowners in particular need to monitor the condition of their foundation due to the region’s regular seismic activity. Earthquakes can cause even more considerable damage to a home when the foundation is already damaged.

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