Julian Construction: Interior Moisture Can Damage Your Foundation

LOS ANGELES, CA: Interior moisture can cause significant damage to a foundation says Julian De La Torre, owner of Julian Construction, Inc., (http://www.julianconstruction.com), a foundation repair and construction company in Los Angeles.

“When water enters a home, even if it’s just in the atmosphere, it can lead to foundation problems that can end up requiring extensive repairs,” says De La Torre.

Interior water can come from many different sources such as sinks, tubs, showers and toilets. During the winter, moisture can get trapped inside a home or building by insulation, caulking and weather stripping.

Indicators of water problems include dark spots, mold, mildew, peeling paint and surface areas that have either started cracking, crumbling, warping or buckling. Drywall that is soft, spongy or swelling along the edges and seams are also signs of water issues.

When water seeps into the basement, it can start to weaken the structure’s foundation by penetrating cracks. It can also soften the soil around or beneath the foundation which will reduce the foundation’s load bearing capacity.

“Regular inspections can help you avoid foundation trouble,” says De La Torre, who adds that it’s also important to identify the source of the problem, not just fix 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/ or http://quakeproofers.com/blog/.

Julian Construction: Expansive Soil Puts California Homes at Risk

LOS ANGELES, CA: During the late 1950s, many homes in California were built using pier foundations to prevent damage caused by expansive soil. In cases where the piers weren’t drilled deep enough, expansive soil can still cause foundation issues, reports Julian De La Torre, owner of Julian Construction, Inc., (http://www.julianconstruction.com), a foundation repair and construction company in Los Angeles

Expansive soil contains clay minerals that increase in size when the soil gets wet. When the soil dries, the particles shrink leaving spaces in the soil. Over time, a foundation will settle deeper and deeper into these voids. The settlement is rarely uniform, which can cause cracks and other types of damage that weaken the foundation.

“Pier foundations are especially vulnerable to damage caused by changes in the moisture content of expansive soil,” says De La Torre. “When soil expands and contracts, it will affect the foundation’s load bearing capacity. If the stress is significant enough, the pier can end up falling.”

According to De La Torre, any home built on expansive soil should be inspected on a regular basis to prevent serious foundation issues. “If there is a problem and it isn’t addressed quickly, you may end up having to replace the entire foundation.’

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/ or http://quakeproofers.com/blog/.

JulianConstruction.com: City of Los Angeles Retrofit Update

by Julian De La Torre

Last year the City of Los Angeles enacted legislation requiring approximately 15,000 buildings to be retrofitted to withstand earthquakes. The legislation passed with a unanimous vote by the Los Angeles City Council.

The new rules focused on two specific types of buildings that have suffered the most serious damage during quakes: concrete buildings and wood-frame apartment complexes built on top of carports (also called “soft story” structures).

Recently the city released the addresses of 13,500 apartments and condos that will most likely need some type of earthquake retrofitting. The buildings are primarily located in the San Fernando Valley, Hollywood and Westside.

It took two years to develop the list of these “soft-story” buildings – structures that have weak first floors because they have been built over carports supported with columns.

The hunt focused on buildings similar to structures that collapsed in the 1989 Loma Prieta and 1994 Northridge earthquakes. During the Northridge quake, a soft-story apartment complex collapsed killing 16 people.

City officials combed through tens of thousands of records and even walked through neighborhoods to locate structures that would need a soft story retrofit (Los Angeles).

The aggressive effort to get buildings in Los Angeles ready for the next big quake has not been without controversy. Even so, many property owners have begun the process of upgrading their structures.

The purpose of earthquake retrofitting is to keep a structure from slipping off of its foundation during the violent shaking that occurs in an earthquake. Different techniques can be used depending on the how the structure was built. Common types of retrofitting include brackets to connect the cripple wall to the frame; cripple wall bracing and foundation bolting.

With a 99% chance of a magnitude 6.7 quake or larger within the next 30 years, many cities throughout the state have stepped up their earthquake planning and preparedness efforts.

If you’d like a free inspection of your property, give us a call. We have decades of retrofitting experience and will make sure your home is properly secured.

Julian De La Torre, expert in Los Angeles foundation repair, house leveling & foundation inspection (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://julianconstruction.com/about-2/). 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. Learn more about Julian Construction at http://losangelesfoundationrepair.us/.
See their video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oI6-SXw6Z1c

Julian Construction: Older Homes More Likely to Have Foundation Damage

LOS ANGELES, CA: Julian De La Torre, owner of Julian Construction, Inc., (http://www.julianconstruction.com), a foundation repair and construction company in Los Angeles, reports that homes built over 50 years ago often have foundation problems.

According to De La Torre, there were very few building regulations or standards for homes constructed before 1940, and the use of improper equipment and low-quality materials was not uncommon.

“The most important part of your home is its foundation,” says De La Torre. “If the foundation is not built right, the structural integrity of the building will be compromised. Foundations are built to carry the weight and load of all the other parts of the structure. Without a strong foundation, the building can eventually collapse.”

Homeowners can also have trouble with older foundations if the home was built on clay soil. When clay soil gets wet, it expands. As the soil starts to dry, it contracts. A building will be pushed up by the foundation when the soil is moist, and settle into the spaces created when the moisture disappears.

“If you own an older home, make sure the foundation is checked on a regular basis,” says De La Torre. “If a problem is caught early, it can usually be easily fixed. The longer you wait, the more you will have to spend on 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.com/blog/ or http://quakeproofers.com/blog/.

Julian Construction: Roof Damage Can Cause Foundation Problems

LOS ANGELES, CA: Roof damage is a commonly overlooked cause of foundation problems, reports Julian De La Torre, owner of Julian Construction, Inc., (http://www.julianconstruction.com), a foundation repair and construction company in Los Angeles.

According to De La Torre, when a roof becomes damaged, water can begin to seep into the structure. “Water is a foundation’s worst enemy,” says Torres. “It can cause cracking and other issues that will weaken the foundation and destabilize the structure.”

There are various environmental factors that can damage a roof, such as wind, too much sun, rain, storms, earthquakes, falling tree branches and lightening. Indicators of roof damage include broken, chipped, cracked or blistered tiles.

These days, many homes are built with asphalt tiles that have been coated with tiny granules. When the tiles become bruised or dented, the granules can start to fall off. “if you find asphalt tile granules in your rain gutters, your roof is deteriorating and needs to be repaired,” says De La Torre, who also notes that natural roofing tiles and materials will decompose even faster than synthetic roofing.

De La Torre encourages homeowners to regularly inspect their roof. “If you see wet spots, cracking paint, wet insulation, light shining through the roof or the roof starting to sag, have it inspected by a professional and get the repairs done as fast as possible.”

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/ or http://quakeproofers.com/blog/.

JulianConstruction.com: How Expansive Soil Can Damage Your Foundation

by Julian De La Torre

Soil contains three main organic materials: sand, silt and clay. Clay particles are extremely small, which means many of them can exist in a tiny space. This increases the density of the soil and helps create a smooth texture.

Soil that has a high concentration of clay particles is called expansive soil. When the soil becomes wet, the clay particles absorb the water. This causes the soil to expand.
If a house has been built on clay soil, the expansion can lift a foundation. Sometimes the lifting occurs in different areas of the foundation. The amount and location of the lifting is determined by the building load and how much moisture is present.

Eventually, the clay will dry. When it does, the soil will shrink, creating even more foundation problems.

Foundation lifting and settling will eventually cause foundation cracks. The cracks will allow more moisture to enter the structure, which can worsen the damage. Signs of foundation problems include sloping floors, bulging walls, and doors that won’t open or shut properly.

One way to remedy foundation problems caused by expansive soil is to extend the foundation past the area where the soil’s water fluctuates. You can also add more drainage around the structure so water is channeled away from it. Strengthening the foundation is another option. A strong foundation can withstand lifting and settling.

If you live in an area with significant wet and dry seasons, you will probably end up having more foundation problems than homeowners who live in areas where the weather is more consistent. But also keep in mind that other sources of water, like sprinklers, can impact soil moisture content as well.

If your home was built on expansive soil, call a professional foundation contractor and get them to conduct a foundation inspection. They will be able to address any foundation issues related to moisture in the soil.

Julian De La Torre, expert in Los Angeles foundation repair, inspection & house leveling (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://julianconstruction.com/about-2/). 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. Learn more about Julian Construction at http://losangelesfoundationrepair.us/. Watch their video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6I8j7dXzpj4