Helical Piles a Potential Solution to Common Foundation Problems

Julian Construction Discusses A Proven Solution for Damaged Foundation

LOS ANGELES, CA: Julian Construction Inc., (http://julianconstruction.com/), a construction and foundation repair company in the Greater Los Angeles Area, recently issued a statement on the use of helical piles to repair a cement building foundation. Shawn Kyles, Building Safety Expert at Julian Construction, detailed the common usage of helical piles to ensure a home remains free of long term foundation damage. Mr. Kyles has inspected over 10,000 structures in his career as a structural safety inspector.

According to Mr. Kyles, a foundation’s purpose is to support and spread the weight of the structure it sits on. When it becomes damaged with foundation cracks or other damages, it becomes unable to support the weight, and the result can be structural collapse or simply decay. Helical piles can be used to repair a foundation fault. They are steel shafts with blades attached in a spiral pattern, similar to a large metal screw which is screwed into the ground below a foundation. The effect of these can be to stabilize a failing foundation, as well as increase load bearing capacities in a foundation retrofit. Mr. Kyles stressed that helical piles are a very good fix for a foundation, but may not be right for every case, and that a foundation inspection should be done by a qualified inspector.

More information on the use of helical piles on a home’s foundation can be found here: http://julianconstruction.com/services/helical-piles/

Julian De La Torre, founder and owner of Julian Construction Inc., stated: “Helical piles are a good solution for a house needing more stability in its foundation. We use them very often at Julian Construction because they are a very versatile tool. If you have uneven floors, cracked walls or any other signs that your foundation may need repair, get your home inspected immediately.”

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.typepad.com.

Increasing Energy Efficiency with Solar Panels

By Shawn Kyles

Solar panels make homes more energy efficient. The electricity that is generated by the panels is not only good for the environment, it can reduce your energy costs. The amount of money you can save by installing solar panels is determined by how much electricity is used in your home.

Another benefit of installing solar panels is net metering, a term used to describe the policy of contributing any unused electricity back to the utility grid. Net metering was implemented to promote private investment in renewable energy. In California, it is a special billing arrangement that provides credits to customers with solar PV systems. How does net metering work? Solar panel systems generate most of their electricity during the middle of the day when the sun is shining. If your home produces more electricity that what is required, it goes back to the main utility grid. Homeowners receive credits at full retail rates for this excess electricity.

In addition to energy savings, installing solar panels helps reduce CO2, NOX and SO2 emissions. In a poll conducted by USA Today, 91% of survey respondents preferred solar power compared to other sources of power.

Solar panels do not make any noise and require very little maintenance. They can be installed when a home is being re-roofed and will add significant value to the property. The state and federal government also offers homeowners special tax benefits and rebates for using clean energy solutions. For example, California residents (and business owners) will receive cash back incentives under the state’s “Go Solar” program.

Do you want to know more about your current energy usage? The EPA has several tools that can help homeowners evaluate their energy usage and find out the best way to become more energy efficient. These EPA tools include the Home Energy Yardstick:
http://goo.gl/OKnL2X
http://goo.gl/AptZZ2

The Home Energy Yardstick is an assessment of the how much energy you home used during the past 12 months compared to similar types of home. The data that is used to conduct the assessment comes from your utility bill. The tool uses an algorithm based on the size of your home, number of occupants and the weather in your area. Scoring is on a 1 to 10 scale. A home that scores “10” is performing well compared to other similar homes, while a home that scores “1” is performing poorly when compared to similar types of residences. To use the tool, you will need to provide your zip code, the square footage of your house, the number of occupants and utility bill data for the past 12 months.

The Home Energy Advisor is an online service that gives you free advice on improvements that can increase the energy efficiency of your home. To receive your recommendations, you will need to provide your zip code, data on how your home is cooled and heated, and information on the type of water heater that you use.

If you want to decrease energy costs and are considering installing solar panels, a general contractor with experience in solar panel installations should be contacted to discuss your specific needs and options.

Safety Inspector Warns On Signs of Foundation Damage

Foundation Expert Shawn Kyles Gives Indications of Foundation Damage In A Home

LOS ANGELES, CA: Julian Construction Inc., (http://julianconstruction.com/) a foundation construction and foundation repair company in Southern California, has issued a report on the signs of foundation damage in a home. The author of the report, safety inspector Shawn Kyles, provided guidelines for the visual inspection of a home.

Mr. Shawn Kyles has inspected over 15,000 structures, residential and commercial, and has worked with engineering firms and specialists in local building and safety departments. In his report he stressed that there were several signs of foundation damage, among them cracks in the floor or floor tiles, cracks in the interior or exterior walls of the building, sloping or uneven floors, trim or molding that isn’t aligned, and doors and windows that stick. Potential foundation problems can be caused by water leakage, expansive or contractive soil as well as other soil conditions.

The full report can be viewed here:
http://julianconstruction.typepad.com/julian-construction-blog/2012/06/recognizing-the-signs-of-foundation-damage.html

Julian De La Torre, owner and founder of Julian Construction, stated: “Homeowners need to be on the watch for foundation problems. They get worse the longer they go undetected and unhandled. What starts as a crack can lead to much more serious structural damage, and in the event of an earthquake it can mean the collapse of the building. So we encourage people to heighten their awareness of the condition of their homes and get regular inspections. By doing so, you are ensuring the safety of the structure and everyone 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, www.julianconstruction.com. You can see tips and advice about home foundations on their blog, at http://julianconstruction.com/blog/.

Construction Company Advises Homeowners on Drainage Problems

Julian Construction Assists Homeowners with Information On Common Drainage Problems

LOS ANGELES, CA: Julian Construction, Inc., (http://julianconstruction.com/) a construction and foundation repair company in the Los Angeles area, is urging public to find out more about drainage system issues and the problems they can cause in a home. The company also listed some of the most common indicators or drainage problems so homeowners could better identify them. The company hopes to improve the standard of home safety in the Los Angeles area.

Poor drainage systems can cause threats to a home and possible foundation damage and other problems, and then to the rest of the structure, according to the company. Soil erosion and shifting is another adverse effect of drainage problems. There are several indications of drainage problems, including water pooling in a yard, rain water accumulating on a rooftop, moisture seepage coming into the house. Reversely, foundation cracks can be a sign that drainage problems also exist. Any of the above should be addressed with the installation of proper drainage systems to effectively handle the situation.

Julian De La Torre, founder and owner of Julian Construction, stated: “Proper home drainage results a home that is safeguarded from all water related home issues. Mold, foundation problems, flooding during rainy seasons; all of these can be addressed. No homeowner can afford to be unaware of these signs, allowing these conditions to go unnoticed in a 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.typepad.com.

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.