Repairing Retaining Walls a Complicated and Professional Project

Construction Company Says Retaining Walls Not a DIY Project

LOS ANGELES, CA: Julian Construction, Inc., (http://julianconstruction.com/) a foundation construction and general contractor company in Los Angeles, has had many years of experience in the construction field, largely with their specialty of home foundation repair and replacement but also home construction projects such as the construction of retaining walls. Due to the complexity of the process and the number of different types of retaining walls that may be used, the company strongly recommends that only a licensed professional construct a retaining wall for a home.

A retaining wall is a stabilizing structure used when soil on a slope threatens to spill and cause soil erosion, ruining the landscape or causing other problems with the home’s foundation. A retaining wall holds back the falling soil and redistributes the pressure of the sloping ground. Many different materials are used for a wall, such as concrete, steel, stone, brick, composites, wood and even glass.

There are also several different types of walls, from those that use the wall’s own weight to hold back the soil to those which are supported by heavy steel cables. The type of wall needed is determined by the type and quantity of soil in the landscape, as well as the amount of space for the wall and other factors.

Due to the variety of different types of retaining walls, each one required by a different set of circumstances for that yard, Julian Construction strongly recommends that homeowners only use a licensed professional foundation contractor with many years experience constructing retaining walls on different properties.

Retaining wall projects done by inexperienced individuals could lead to a wall not strong enough to hold up the soil, drainage problems (which would damage the wall) or other problems which would lead to having to reconstruct the retaining wall entirely.

Julian De La Torre, founder and owner of Julian Construction, stated: “We have often installed a retaining wall where the soil erosion was the factor causing foundation damage. Definitely, if soil erosion is not handled in a home it will cause problems for a landscape but also can cause problems for the structure itself: if the soil is going away from the foundation it can weaken it. Homeowners also use a retaining wall to create more usable space in their yard. Whatever the reason it is needed, always hire a professional to construct a retaining wall.”

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/

Solar Systems a Good Investment for Saving Energy

Julian Construction Recommends Installing Solar Systems in a Home

LOS ANGELES, CA: Julian Construction Inc., (http://julianconstruction.com/) a home foundation repair and general contractor company in Los Angeles, recommends that homeowners look at the long term benefits of installing solar systems on their home. The company has found that energy savings as well as property savings can be realized as a result of installing a solar energy system. The company has installed many such systems for homeowners.

In 2011, the International Energy Agency said that "the development of affordable, inexhaustible and clean solar energy technologies will have huge longer-term benefits. It will increase countries’ energy security through reliance on an indigenous, inexhaustible and mostly import-independent resource, enhance sustainability, reduce pollution, lower the costs of mitigating climate change, and keep fossil fuel prices lower than otherwise. These advantages are global. Hence the additional costs of the incentives for early deployment should be considered learning investments; they must be wisely spent and need to be widely shared".

Julian Construction has many years experience in the installation of personalized home solar energy systems, most often during the process of re-roofing a home. State and federal agencies offer tax benefits and rebates to homeowners who install clean energy solutions such as solar systems, in addition to the direct energy savings.

Julian De La Torre, founder and owner of Julian Construction, stated: “There are multiple benefits to installing a solar energy system in your home. State and Federal agencies often will offer tax benefits on this, the system will increase the property value, and there is the savings made on the energy itself. We’ve been very happy to supply this service to homeowners in the past and can highly recommend it as a very beneficial way for homeowners to save money.”

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/

Get Ready For The Next Big Quake

By Shawn Kyles

Did you know that California has a 99% chance of experiencing a magnitude 6.7 quake or greater within the next 30 years?

The Northridge Earthquake, which hit at 4:31 a.m. on January 17, 1994 was a magnitude 6.7. The quake occurred at a depth of 11.4 miles on an unknown fault, and was followed by thousands of aftershocks. Fifty-seven people died and over 5,000 people were injured during the event. An estimated 1,600 people were hospitalized.

The Northridge quake actually took place in Reseda, CA, with property damage occurring more up to 85 miles away. Total property damage has been estimated at more than $20 Billion. It is considered one of the costliest U.S. natural disasters.

Structural collapses included the Northridge Meadows apartment complex which killed sixteen people, several commercial buildings and sections of the Santa Monica Freeway, the Antelope Valley Freeway and Interstate 5.

Multi-story wood frame buildings suffered the most damage, along with structures made of masonry, constructed on slopes or built over parking areas. The quake also caused hundreds of fires and left tens of thousands of people without utilities for several days.

If you are a Southern California home owner, there are many things you can do for earthquake preparedness before the next big quake. Start by making sure furniture and other moveable items are properly secured. Stock up on supplies that may be needed following a quake and organize a disaster plan. You’ll also want to gather and keep important documents in a safe space.

You will also want to make sure your home is in good repair and structurally sound. Start by contacting a foundation repair expert and requesting an inspection. A foundation professional will know where to look for damage and potential weaknesses that could put you and your family in danger during an earthquake.

Homes that have been built on concrete, especially unreinforced concrete, stone masonry or bricks, are at greater risk for structural failure during a quake. A home can also break away from its foundation if it hasn’t been secured properly. When a house shifts off of its foundation, it can disrupt gas lines, which can lead to fires.

Is your home built on a hill? When a house that has been built on a hill isn’t properly supported, it can collapse during a quake. If your home has a crawl space that hasn’t been braced correctly, it could fall during periods of increased seismic activity.

A foundation expert or foundation contractor will look at the interior and exterior of your home, including walls, windows, doors, floors, concrete slabs, crawl spaces and basements to determine if there are existing or potential foundation problems, if you need foundation bolting, or foundation repair, etc. You’ll get a post-inspection report and a summary of the issues that need to be addressed.

If any repairs are needed, get them done quickly! Foundation damage will only get worse over time.

Earthquake retrofitting and foundation bolting will not only give you peace of mind, it can help protect your property during an earthquake and may even save lives.