Homeowners Warned Of Signs Of Faulty Structural Foundation

Foundation Faults Must Receive Foundation Inspection Construction Company States

LOS ANGELES, CA: Julian Construction, (http://julianconstruction.com/), a foundation construction and foundation repair company in Southern California, is issuing a warning to homeowners to be on the watch for signs of foundation damage. Chief Safety Inspector for the company, Shawn Kyles, has issued a brief outline of what to watch for to tell if your home has foundation damage. Depending on how soon the damage is detected will determine whether foundation repair is required or if full foundation replacement is warranted.

Shawn Kyles stated: “Fully understanding the cause of your foundation problem is the first step in the replacement process. There are many reasons why foundations fail. Bad design, poor soil conditions and moisture issues are some of the more common causes of foundation instability and collapse.”

Shawn Kyles full report can be seen here: http://julianconstruction.typepad.com/julian-construction-blog/2013/03/replacing-a-foundation.html

Julian De La Torre, founder and owner of Julian Construction, stated: “We’ve seen many homes with foundation problems over the years. What’s very common is that the serious projects that have required us to completely replace a foundation always have warning signs that were ignored. The homeowner just did not know what to look for, and so the condition became worse. This can be stopped early and handled without completely replacing a foundation if the homeowner gets an inspection and follows the advice of the inspector on whether foundation repair is needed or not. Resolving this is crucial to the safety of everyone in the home.”

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.com/blog/ .

Homes Neglecting Foundation Repair May Encounter Larger Problems

Los Angeles Construction Company Advises Need For Fast Action On Foundation Repairs

LOS ANGELES, CA: Julian Construction Inc., (http://julianconstruction.com/), a foundation construction and foundation repair company in Southern California, is warning the public that homes where the owners neglected signs of foundation problems, are more likely to need full foundation replacement later on. Homes which have undergone needed foundation repairs have most often avoided needing full foundation replacement.

Julian Construction’s chief building inspector, Shawn Kyles, stated: “Replacing a foundation is a worst-case scenario when it comes to foundation damage. Regular home inspections will often uncover foundation problems before they become serious. Correcting these issues early-on can save you the time and expense of a full foundation replacement. If you have any concerns about your current foundation, contact a knowledgeable foundation contractor and request a free inspection. The sooner you start any necessary repairs, the better.”

The full statement by Mr. Kyles can be found here: http://julianconstruction.typepad.com/julian-construction-blog/2013/03/replacing-a-foundation.html

Julian De La Torre, founder and owner of Julian Construction, stated: “Maintaining a home foundation and repairing it when needed is very important. Not being aware of the danger signs can be much more costly down the road, in terms of repairs. If you spot the signs early, you can act to fix the problem when it’s small. We see this all the time in the buildings we go to, the best thing is to get the building inspected and get any needed repairs done based on that.”

Julian Construction staff have inspected over 16,500 building inspections since the company was founded in 2001.

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.com/blog/

Earthquakes and Structural Damage

by Shawn Kyles

Earthquakes happen every day in California, most in remote areas or deep beneath the surface. When a major quake occurs, it can not only cause severe structural damage in a building, but can also cause the building’s collapse.

When the earth shakes, the amount of structural damage will vary depending on the building (how well it was built), and the degree and type of ground movement.

The severity of ground movement usually coincides with the building’s proximity to the earthquake’s epicenter. For example, a magnitude 7.0 quake will be only 50% as strong 8 miles away from the epicenter. The strength of the shake can also be affected by the type of rock the seismic wave passes through, and soil conditions. Soil that is soft and wet will increase shaking.

Duration of the motion can influence the amount of damage as well. Buildings that shake for longer periods of time typically have more damage.

There are many complex issues involved in how a building moves during a quake. Visually, when the base of a building moves to the left, the rest of the structure appears to move to the right. In fact, the building’s move to the right is simply a resistance to the motion occurring at the base. Other factors that influence movement include seismic load, soil conditions, building material strength and building design. An important aspect of design is the structure’s ability to bend or sway when the ground beneath it moves.

Even a building that has been designed to withstand ground motion can fail if the foundation is weak or damaged. Certain types of foundations are also more likely to result in damage, such as structures built on columns. This is usually because of uneven settlement.

When a new building is constructed, it must adhere to various regulations designed to minimize quake damage. Older residential and commercial buildings however, need to be inspected to determine their ability to withstand a quake. Most of these structures will need to be strengthened.

Earthquake retrofitting is the term used to describe the process of modifying a building to make it more resistant to seismic activity. Types of retrofitting include foundation bolting, cripple wall bracing and the installation of brackets.

Foundation bolting strengthens the connection between a structure’s frame and the concrete foundation. Some structures have no bolts, while others have an insufficient number of bolts or bolts that have become weakened over time. Knowing what types of bolts to use and where to place the bolts is extremely important.

Cripple wall collapse is one of the main causes of earthquake damage. The failure of a cripple wall will cause the floor of the home to drop to the ground. Braces can be used to strengthen cripple walls. In most cases, these braces will need to be placed on all sides of the home.
Hold-down brackets are used to anchor shear walls, and help prevent the wall from rolling or shifting.

If you have an older home, request an inspection from a foundation repair expert. An experienced foundation contractor can determine if your building needs retrofitting to prevent damage during an earthquake. You can minimize the risk of structural damage with the right retrofitting techniques and materials.