Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Julian Construction Provides Online Sources Of Safety Information

Construction Company In Southern California Seeks To Raise Earthquake Awareness

LOS ANGELES, CA: Julian Construction Inc., (http://www.julianconstruction.com/)a foundation repair and construction company located in Southern California, is publishing a list of locations on the web that homeowners can go to for information on seismic activity in California, in an effort to raise awareness and preparedness in the event of an earthquake.
The list reads:
http://www.seismic.ca.gov/
Established in 1975, the Seismic Safety Commission advises the governor, state legislature, and state and local governments on ways to reduce earthquake risk.
http://www.scec.org/
SCEC is a joint endeavor of universities in Southern California and several state and federal science-oriented agencies.
http://www.fema.gov/
FEMA was established in 1979, and is an independent agency of the federal government, reporting to the President.
http://www.earthquakecountry.info/roots/contents.html
Los Angeles and Southern California earthquake preparedness information. A compilation of Internet information sources related to earthquake hazard.
http://www.eeri.org/site/
A national, nonprofit, technical society of engineers, geoscientists, architects, planners, public officials, and social scientists to advance the science and practice of earthquake engineering and the solution of national earthquake engineering problems to protect people and property from the effects of earthquakes.
http://www.data.scec.org/recenteqs/
The USGS and Caltech cooperatively put together this real-time peek into the world of earthquakes in Southern California.
Julian De LA Torre, the company’s founder, stated “We hope this will help people have more knowledge about this subject of earthquakes and earthquake safety. Especially in a place like Southern California, it’s very important to be ready and to have all of the facts. That way you can be sure your home is safe.”
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. You can see tips and advice about home foundationson their blog, at http://julianconstruction.typepad.com.

Construction Company Compares “Replacement” With “Repair”

Company Issues Public Information To Clarify Difference In Foundation Safety Issues

LOS ANGELES, CA: Julian Construction Inc., (http://www.julianconstruction.com/), a foundation construction and foundation repair company located in Southern California, has issued a public statement to clarify any possible confusion or uncertainty on the subject of foundation repair vs. foundation replacement, and when each is needed. The company also stressed the importance of routine foundation inspection to ensure home safety.

The founder of the company, Julian De La Torre, stated “There are many good reasons for foundation replacement. Some homes were built without a concrete and steel foundation, while others were made of un-reinforced masonry, that of brick or stone. In some cases, the original concrete was made of poor quality materials or has been badly deteriorated over the years.”

“Sometimes you do not need a new foundation, but you have breaks in your foundation due to prior earth movement, age or even poor drainage. Left unchecked and uncorrected, these breaks in the foundation and stem wall can lead to additional cost and, in many cases, pose a risk to your structure.”

“A foundation repair expert can conduct an in-depth inspection of your property to make sure there are no existing situations that need addressing. Someone that is skilled in fixing foundations will be able to analyze the location, size and pattern of wall cracks to determine if there are any underlying problems, and look for other indicators of foundation damage. Staying alert to potential foundation issues can be vital, and help prevent future structural trouble,” concluded Julian.

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. You can see tips and advice about home foundations on their blog, at http://julianconstruction.typepad.com.

Posted via email from Julian Construction's Posterous

Monday, March 5, 2012

Julian Construction Gives Basics On Finding A Contractor For Home

Company Details Basics Of Hiring Process For Homeowners Seeking Home Improvement

LOS ANGELES, CA: Julian Construction, Inc. (http://www.julianconstruction.com/) a foundation construction and foundation repair company based in southern California has published a list of guidelines on the subject of searching for and working with a professional contractor for homeowners seeking home improvement or repair. It was written by an industry professional, Shawn Kyles, who has inspected over 15,000 structures during his career.

He first stresses the importance of locating a contractor: “While some homeowners prefer to do the work themselves, many construction and remodeling jobs will require hiring either a general building contractor or specialized contractor. A contractor manages the entire project from start to finish, including architectural planning, securing any required building permits, as well as providing all of the materials, equipment and labor that will be needed. “

He then detailed a number of the liabilities and important points to check for in hiring a contractor, as well as the general hiring process. He concluded: “Depending on the type and extent of your construction project or home remodel, hiring a contractor to perform the work can save you time and money. A general building contractor will know who to hire when the project involves specialized skills, such as plumbing, electrical, foundation repair, or masonry, and will manage all aspects of the job. Both general and specialized contractors will also know the building codes that need to be followed, and what permits to pull. If you are uncertain about the type of work that may be needed, such as the best way to repair a foundation, professional help can be critical and will ensure the job is done properly.”

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. You can see tips and advice about home foundations on their blog, at http://julianconstruction.typepad.com.

Posted via email from Julian Construction's Posterous

Julian Construction Informs Public Of Different Foundation Types

Effort To Increase Awareness Of Potential Foundation Problems In Homes
LOS ANGELES, CA: Julian Construction (http://www.julianconstruction.com), a foundation construction and repair company in southern California, has issued a public statement detailing the differences between the three most common foundations, as well as some of the possible issues that arise in older homes requiring foundation repair. The statement was written by Shawn Kyles, a construction specialist who has inspected over 15,000 structures in his career, and is a senior partner of the foundation contractor company.
Mr. Kyles explains “The three most common types of foundations that are used today include: Crawl space, Basement, and Slab. Crawl space foundations, also called a raised foundation, are more common in the central parts of the country. It is a foundation that is built above the ground with approximately two feet of space for a person to crawl underneath. This allows room for someone to crawl under the foundation to install mechanical equipment such as electrical wiring and air-conditioning ducts, and give easy access to the equipment for repairs. A pile foundation uses concrete or wood piles to support a home and is similar to a crawl foundation.”
“When a foundation isn’t built properly or the soil that the foundation is constructed on expands and contracts, it can cause damage such as slopping floors, bowed walls, windows and doors that don’t open or close properly, cracks and other problems that can weaken the structure of your home.”
He further stated: “Inspections should be conducted on a regular basis by a home foundation specialist to determine if there are any issues that need resolving. Some degree of foundation settlement will occur even under ideal weather and property conditions, especially if it is an older home. Detecting and repairing even minor cracks and damage from foundation settlement is extremely important, and can prevent more serious problems that will require extensive and costly repairs.”
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. You can see tips and advice about home foundations on their blog, at http://julianconstruction.typepad.com.

JulianConstruction.com: Earthquake Preparedness -- Is Your Home Ready For The Big One?

By Shawn Kyles
The ground is constantly moving in Southern California. Almost every day there are small shifts of the rock beneath the surface that would go unnoticed except for the dutiful recordings of seismic equipment throughout the region. When the rocks bump against each other, they can crack, break and slip, which causes a release of energy. The motion (slipping) continues until the rock gets stuck.
The term earthquake is used to describe these seismic events, both large and small. The earthquake’s “focus” is the location underground where the slip occurs, and the epicenter is the aboveground position of the quake. A slip can release enough force to cause damage to buildings, roads, bridges and other structures surrounding the earthquake’s epicenter. Sometimes the energy released by a quake can be felt hundreds of miles away from the epicenter. As an example, a recent 3.3 magnitude earthquake that occurred near Clinton, Montana, was felt in Great Falls, Montana, which is 200 miles northeast of Clinton.
An earthquake can occur at many different depths below the surface. The closer it is to the surface, the more damage it will cause to man-made structures. Earthquakes typically take place on fault lines, which is where two large plates of rock rub against each other. For years seismologists have been predicting that residents in the Los Angeles area will be hit by a large quake with a magnitude of 6.7 or greater. A major earthquake can uproot trees, collapse buildings, bridges and parking structures, and buckle roads.
Earthquake preparation is important, and can help prevent injuries and property damage. Securing appliances with bolts can minimize movement and stop gas lines from breaking. Hanging objects such as light fixtures, mirrors and pictures should also be secured, as well as large pieces of furniture that can fall over if the ground shakes. Put latches on cabinets to prevent the contents from falling out and make sure to properly store any hazardous material.
Also, developing an earthquake plan will help ensure the safety of your family and provide greater protection for your property. A vital part of an emergency plan is the purchasing and storing of emergency supplies, including food, water, pet food, flashlights, battery operated or hand crank radio, extra batteries, fire extinguishers, tools, first aid items, clothing, blankets, and a camp stove. You should also keep in this kit valuable documents, important phone numbers, and extra money.
You will also want to inspect your house for foundation problems. Look for cracks, bowed walls, slopping floors and other indicators of foundation issues. Call in a professional foundation repair expert if necessary, and make any needed repairs. You can also increase your home’s stability with bolts and braces. During an earthquake, a home can shift off of its foundation. Bolting will strengthen the connection between a structure and the foundation that it is built on. Braces can be installed to prevent the collapse of cripple walls. A cripple wall is the short wall between a foundation and a home’s first floor, and is often the weakest part of the structure.
A foundation specialist can provide you with all of the information you will need regarding earthquake retrofitting and how to improve the structural integrity of your home. Take action now to safeguard your property and family. It will give you peace of mind knowing that when the ground shakes again, you’re prepared.
Author Bio:
Shawn Kyles, expert in foundation repair & house bolting at Julian Construction (http://www.julianconstruction.com) in Los Angeles, has inspected over 15,000 structures for building & safety. Visit http://www.julianconstruction.com/about.html See their blog at http://julianconstruction.typepad.com/