How To Strengthen Your Home’s Foundation

By Shawn Kyles

There can be many reasons why your home’s foundation may need to be strengthened, including:

* The foundation has shifted or moved due to earthquakes
* Soil has eroded beneath or around the foundation, causing cracks, sloping or sinking
* You want to add a second story to the existing structure, which will exceed the amount of weight the building and foundation can support
* The foundation has decayed over time
* There has been a change in how the structure is being used
* The soil was poorly compacted when the home was built
* Weak and poor quality materials were used when the home was built
* A basement has been added to the structure
* A new building has been constructed near the home with a deeper foundation
* The foundation has settled due to poor soil conditions or a lowered water table

In Los Angeles, homes that were constructed before 1940 were not bolted to their foundations. During an earthquake, these structures can be easily shaken off their foundation. Many homes that were built after 1940 used weak materials on cripple walls. A cripple wall is the wall that surrounds the crawl space under a house and connects the home to the foundation.

If you live in an older home, bolting the house to your foundation is critical for earthquake preparedness. The bolts should be placed every 4 to 6 feet and more than one foot away from every joint. For homes that are built on a hill, make sure you also bolt the wood that is “stepping down” on the grade.

Underpinning can also increase the strength and stability of your foundation. The process involves either extending the foundation in depth or breadth so it rests on stronger soil or distributes its load across a broader area.

Using concrete foundation repair is one of the primary methods used for underpinning. Sections beneath or around the home are excavated and then filled by the concrete. The concrete is usually mixed with aggregates. Once the concrete is poured, it will typically take 2 days to set.

Other ways of underpinning involves the use of screw piles, brackets and beams. Sometimes the soil can be strengthened by adding grout.

The strength of cripple walls can be increased with plywood. How do you know if your cripple wall needs strengthening? If the exterior of your cripple wall is made of wood siding or stucco, it will need to be strengthened with plywood. The plywood should be nailed to the walls on every side of the house.

In addition to stabilizing a home and preventing future damage, strengthening a foundation will make the structure much safer to live in, as well as easier to insure and sell.

When a home is showing any signs of foundation settlement or damage, seek a local foundation inspection (Los Angeles area for example) from a licensed foundation repair Los Angeles professional. A local foundation expert can tell you what is causing the problem and how it should be corrected. This may include strengthening your home’s foundation to prevent any further damage and reduce the chances of your home sliding off the foundation or collapsing during an earthquake or even house leveling (Los Angeles).

Construction Expert Says Prepare for Next Big Quake

California Residents Should Be Ready for the Next Major Earthquake Says Expert

LOS ANGELES, CA: Julian Construction, (http://julianconstruction.com/) a construction and foundation construction and repair company in Southern California, recently announced to the public that they need to be better prepared for the next big earthquake in California. Shawn Kyles, Julian Construction’s structural inspection expert, is warning the general public that the next 6.7 or greater earthquake may hit California at any point in the next 30 years.

Homeowners are urged to take preparatory action against the coming quake.
Mr. Kyles stated: “If you are a Southern California homeowner, 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.”

Mr. Kyles article on the subject contains further tips on earthquake preparedness, which can be seen here: http://julianconstruction.com/get-ready-for-the-next-big-quake/

Julian De La Torre, founder and owner of Julian Construction, stated: “We definitely urge everyone to be ready for the next big earthquake. It is important you check on the general repairs of your home and you have the foundation inspected by a qualified expert. The foundation of a home can make the difference between structural collapse or remaining standing during an earthquake. These things are not a fun prospect to look at, and we do not know when and where to expect it. But we do know that we should be ready for it.”

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/ You can see a video about Julian Construction at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6I8j7dXzpj4&

Foundation Inspection Key in All Construction and Repair Projects

Construction Expert Advises on Role of Inspection in All Major Home Improvement

LOS ANGELES, CA: Julian Construction, (http://julianconstruction.com/) a foundation repair and general construction company, is advising the public at large on the use of inspection in major home improvement projects. The company spoke on the necessity of arranging and performing a competent and professional inspection with a qualified specialist, both before undertaking work on a home as well as for home maintenance as an ordinary check on a home. Projects ranging from retaining wall construction, foundation retrofitting and foundation repair would all require an inspection, according to the company.

Shawn Kyles, Julian Construction’s resident inspection specialist, released an article on the subject. He stated: “A home foundation inspection by a qualified expert is not only an important part of foundation maintenance, it can prevent the need for expensive repairs or foundation replacement. You’ll also get peace of mind knowing that your foundation is in good shape. When you request an inspection, both the outside and inside of your home will be checked for evidence of foundation problems.”

Julian De La Torre, founder and owner of Julian Construction, stated: “The inspection is such an important part of the process. It ensures home safety is kept up by disclosing early the problems a homeowner may have before they become big. We’ve had a number of clients who were able to make small repairs which would later have developed into large and costly projects. At the same time, in our 20 years of business we have seen plenty of bad situations which could have been caught earlier.”

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/ You can see a video about Julian Construction at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6I8j7dXzpj4&