El Niño Brings Rain & Foundation Problems to Southern California

By Julian De La Torre

If you live in California, this year’s El Niño rain is a welcome change that may bring some relief from the state’s recent drought. There have been several storms in January, with more expected in the months of February and March. You may even find showers occurring in April and May.

While the wet weather is expected to mitigate water shortages, too much ran on dry soil may make absorption difficult. If the water isn’t soaked up, it can cause flash floods and many other problems, including home foundation damage.

When it rains and there isn’t adequate drainage around your home, the water will start to pool. Eventually, it will start seeping into the structure through cracks and gaps. This can lead to foundation problems, as well as mold growth and wood rot.

Water will also cause soil to expand and press against the foundation, causing more cracks and structural issues. When the soil dries and contracts, the foundation will settle into the spaces that are created.  If the foundation doesn’t settle evenly, it can cause serious foundation problems.

Your foundation and house can also start to sink if the water washes away too much of the soil that surrounds it.

Have you taken out a lawn or covered areas around you home with gravel to minimize water usage?  You may be saving water, but the changes can make it more difficult for the water to absorb into the ground.  Not only will this cause water to pool, you may also see a spike in runoff. If the runoff isn’t directed away from your home, it will damage the foundation.

Don’t wait until the end of the rainy season to check your foundation for water problems. Contact an experienced foundation repair expert now and ask for a free inspection. Find out if your home will make it through this year’s El Niño rain without serious water and foundation issues.

Julian De La Torre, expert in Los Angeles foundation inspection, repair & house bolting (Los Angeles) and founder of Julian Construction (http://www.julianconstruction.com) in Los Angeles, has inspected over 15,000 structures, working with engineering firms and local departments of building & safety. The company has done more home foundation repair (Los Angeles) than any other company in the area over the last five years (http://losangelesfoundationrepair.us/). Julian Construction owns its own company and is a "no middlemen" model--no salesmen or subcontractors--you get the principals of the company & its workers under your home. See their video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6I8j7dXzpj4

Julian Construction Warns the Public of the Dangers of Flood Season

Julian Construction, Inc. (http://www.julianconstruction.com), a foundation repair and construction company in Los Angeles, is warning the public about some of the dangers of flood season and different indications of damage to look out for. This is particularly important in light of the projected El Nino heavy rain conditions this year.

Julian De La Torre, founder of Julian Construction, Inc., stated: “The most significant damage from flooding is caused by the impact of swiftly moving water to your home. The water crashes into the sides of the building, undermining the structure and if the foundation pilings aren’t properly installed, they can shift, break, and can even separate the house from the foundation in extreme cases, causing extreme structural and foundation damage. The stronger the flood, the more damage can be done. Water traveling at only 10 miles an hour has the same force as wind traveling at 270 miles an hour. Aside from damage to the outer walls; electrical wiring, flooring, and pipes can also be damaged by flooding.”

“Not all flood damage is that obvious. Aside from the obvious types of flood damage - (puddles of water on the ground) some of the signs of flooding on the inside of a building include; mold or mildew smells or visible growth, humid air, condensation on the walls, pipes, or floor, cracks in the walls, swollen doors, door jambs, or windows, rust, wood rot, silt or efflorescence (white powdery residue) on the floor and in the corners of room. If you see any of the above signs or have recently had flooding in the area and you suspect it has caused damage to your home, you should schedule an inspection by a qualified foundation contractor to check for flood damage and to determine what, if any, foundation repair needs to be done.”

“Our nearly 20 years of experience in the field as a foundation contractor has shown water to be the worst offender in damaging home foundations. More than any other threat to a foundation, water damage shows up again and again as the most common problem. There are so many ways for it to get into a home’s structure and some of them are not even widely known. We hope the information here helps make homeowners more aware of the danger from water damage on a home’s foundation,” concluded De La Torre.

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

JulianConstruction.com: Does Your Home Need Foundation Underpinning?

LOS ANGELES, CA: Julian Construction, Inc., (http://www.julianconstruction.com), a foundation repair and construction company in Los Angeles, offers foundation underpinning and explains why homeowners might need it.

Julian De La Torre, founder and owner of Julian Construction, stated “There are a number of reasons to underpin a foundation, including lowering the basement floor, adding a second or third story, changing the configuration of load-bearing walls inside the building, and in some cases to repair a foundation that has settled or rotated at certain points. Foundation underpinning strengthens the existing foundation and can be used to lower the basement floor, effectively “raising” the ceiling and giving you much more usable space.”

“There are different types of underpinning methods that are used in different situations, but basically the idea is to extend the foundation deeper until it reaches a more supportive soil layer, or increase its breadth so that the weight of the house is distributed more evenly. Mass concrete underpinning is the oldest and most common method and involves digging bit by bit under the existing foundation and reinforcing as you go, then filling in with concrete. More advanced methods include beam and base underpinning, mini-piled underpinning, and even injected structural resin- a newer method that involves injecting resin and hardeners into the ground beneath the original foundation.”

“No two Foundation underpinning projects are the same, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach. There are many different methods of underpinning and due to the huge variety of house styles, building materials, and foundation types, each underpinning project is unique and should be designed by a professional engineer or an architect. At Julian Construction we can review plans or obtain the engineering necessary for your project and complete the repair,” concluded De La Torre.

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/.

JulianConstruction.com: Stabilizing Foundations with Helical Piles

By Julian De La Torre

Helical piers, also known as helical piles, screw piles and helical anchors, help secure new foundations to the ground. They can also be used to strengthen and stabilize existing foundations. The word “helix” means having a spiral shape. A pile or pier is a long column, shaped like a screw, which is driven into the ground.

A foundation spreads the weight of the building that sits on it. Sometimes the foundation itself needs support. This is usually due to poor soil conditions and moisture issues, which can cause uneven settlement, cracking and bowing.

Helical piles can give the foundation additional strength and stability. They are attached to the foundation on one end, and then screwed (anchored) into the ground on the other. The depth that they are driven into the ground typically depends on the extent of the load.

Helical piers are usually installed around the perimeter of the foundation. First, brackets are attached to the foundation. Then the pier is screwed into the soil and attached to the bracket. Site disturbance is usually minimal. In fact, when a home is being retrofitted with piers, in many cases it can still be occupied while the work is being completed.

Screw piles have been used in construction for almost 200 years, beginning with lighthouse foundations in the 1800s. They were also used to build piers.

Today’s helical piles look like large screws made of galvanized or epoxy-coated steel. They have a central shaft with one or more spiral-shaped plates. The plates are typically referred to as blades or flights, and are welded to the central shaft. There are also extension shafts, which are used to increase the length of the shaft and help it achieve the right depth.

There are many advantages to using helical piles to support a foundation. With the right equipment, they can be installed fairly quickly. Many times it only takes a few minutes to position and place a pile. They can also be loaded as soon as they’ve been installed. The load capacity can even increase over time. Helical piles can be used in many different types of soils, including dense sand, loose sand, soft clay and hard clay.

The stability of your home depends on having a strong foundation. Helical piles are one way to increase foundation support. Other types of foundation repair methods include concrete piers and pilings, masonry patches and sealants, slabjacking and bracing.

Is your floor sloping? Are you finding it difficult to open and close windows? Can you see cracks in walls? These are some of the many signs of foundation problems.

If you know or suspect that your foundation is damaged in some way, contact a foundation contractor to find out what type of repair is needed. Both your property and foundation will be thoroughly inspected, and any problem areas addressed. Not only will you find out what foundation repair solutions will work the best, an experienced foundation repair professional can also show you how to prevent problems in the future.

Julian De La Torre, expert in Los Angeles foundation inspection, repair & house bolting (Los Angeles) and founder of Julian Construction (http://www.julianconstruction.com) in Los Angeles, has inspected over 15,000 structures, working with engineering firms & local departments of building & safety. The company has done more home foundation repair (Los Angeles) than any other company in the area over the last five years (http://losangelesfoundationrepair.us/). Julian Construction owns its own company and is a "no middlemen" model--no salesmen or subcontractors--you get the principals of the company & its workers under your home. See their video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6I8j7dXzpj4

Julian Construction Answers Question “When do you need to replace your roof?”

Julian Construction, Inc., (http://www.julianconstruction.com), a roofing, foundation repair and general construction company in Los Angeles, explains some roofing basics and how you can tell when your roof needs to be replaced.

Julian De La Torre, founder of Julian Construction, says: “Roofs are designed to protect a structure from the elements, especially water. They can be built using various types of materials such as slate, rubber slate, wood shake, asphalt and metal. Whatever materials are used, a roof will eventually wear out over time and need repair or replacing. Evidence of roof problems can include missing, loose, warped or buckled shingles and tiles, which leave the underlying roofing materials unprotected and therefore susceptible to damage. Roof leaks are especially serious and should be immediately addressed to prevent them from getting worse and causing the dry rot and mold associated with water damage.”

“Roofs can be replaced at any time, even in wet weather. The process involves removing all of the existing roof shingles and paper. There may even be additional roof layers that need to be removed depending on the age of the house. Once this phase of the process is completed, any necessary repairs will be made. The next step is to lay down asphalt paper, then the new shingles, followed by flashing and installing the ridge vent. The costs associated with replacing a roof will depend on the steepness of the roof, the size of the area that will need to be replaced and the roofing materials that will be used.”

“Many homeowners allow too many layers of roof on their home. These layers of roofing add additional weight, causing sagging and broken wood beams. By proper removal, repair and shearing of the roof you make your home safer, and by installing a roof that will last, you can avoid water damage along with the dry rot and the molds associated with water intrusion.”

“Having your roof regularly inspected by a professional contractor is an important part of the roof maintenance process. When roof problems are detected early, not only will the repairs usually be less costly, it can help prevent other types of damage to your home. We can inspect your roof to find out what steps are needed to get it in top working order.”

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

Julian Construction Tells Public How to Be Safer in an Earthquake

Julian Construction, Inc., (http://www.julianconstruction.com), a foundation repair and construction company in Los Angeles, continues their efforts to educate homeowners about foundation maintenance and the importance of ensuring their home’s foundation is up to modern standards of earthquake resistance.

Southern California has one of the highest incident rates for earthquakes in the entire United States and Los Angeles is right in the middle of that earthquake zone. If you’ve lived here long enough you’ve probably had your fair share of mild quakes but if you’ve experienced a larger earthquake you know how devastating the effects can be.

Julian Construction takes earthquake safety seriously and specializes in foundation repair and construction. Julian De La Torre, founder of Julian Construction, stated “If you have an older home you may have insufficient, out-dated, or missing attachments securing the house to the foundation. However, if your foundation is in good condition you may not have to completely replace your foundation to make your home safer in an earthquake. Foundations can be retrofitted to make them stronger and more stable during the next quake. Earthquake retrofitting has helped secure foundations for homeowners whose home structure would otherwise be potentially vulnerable to heavy damage in the event of an earthquake.”

“You shouldn’t have to worry about whether your home will be safe in the event of an earthquake. You should rest easy, knowing your home rests on a structurally sound foundation. We can inspect your home to find out what steps are needed to get it there.”

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