Julian Construction Creates Foundation Checklist For Homeowners

New Foundation Checklist Can Help Spot Indicators Of Foundation Damage Early

LOS ANGELES, CA: Julian Construction Inc., (http://julianconstruction.com/) a foundation construction and foundation repair company in the Los Angeles area, recently drew up a checklist for use in detecting foundation problems in a home. The checklist can be used by a homeowner without training in the field of home foundation repair or structural inspection, to look for early signs of foundation problems. These are problems which, according to the company, would lead to bigger structural problems down the road if left unhandled. The full checklist can be found on the company’s website: http://julianconstruction.com/new-year-foundation-checklist/

Shawn Kyles, Julian Construction’s chief building inspector, wrote the checklist as one that homeowners, “...can use to spot situations that are an indicator of foundation damage as well as problems that can lead to foundation trouble.”

A few of the 11 points on the checklist are:

- If you have sprinklers, make sure the water is not draining into your home or basement. The soil around your home may need grading to ensure proper water drainage.
- Check the plumbing for leaks and loose fitting pipes.
- If you have a slab foundation, look for warm spots or moisture on the slab. There may be a pipe leak under the slab.
- Do you have a fireplace? Look for cracks in the brick that may have resulted from settlement.
- Looks for interior wall and ceiling cracks, which are also signs of foundation problems.

Mr. Kyles further stated: “The safety of your family is also at stake. When foundation problems are ignored, the building’s structural integrity becomes increasingly compromised. During an earthquake, there is a greater chance of the home shifting off of its foundation. Even minor seismic activity could lead to a wall or roof collapse depending on the severity of the foundation problem.”

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/

New Year Foundation Checklist

By Shawn Kyles

With January just around the corner, now is a good time to start thinking about your foundation maintenance program for the coming year. Regular inspections of your home, landscape, roof and basement are extremely important. They can help you avoid serious foundation issues and the need for major reconstruction.
Here is a checklist you can use to spot situations that are an indicator of foundation damage as well as problems that can lead to foundation trouble.

1. Inspect your roof for leaks. Clear out any debris in the gutters. Clogged gutters can cause puddles to form on the roof and water to seep into your home. Dripping water can damage your ceiling, walls, insulation and electrical wiring.

2. If you have sprinklers, make sure the water is not draining into your home or basement. The soil around your home may need grading to ensure proper water drainage.
3. Keep the moisture in the soil consistent. Soil that expands and contracts under the house can cause foundation problems.

4. Check the plumbing for leaks and loose fitting pipes.

5. If you have a slab foundation, look for warm spots or moisture on the slab. There may be a pipe leak under the slab.

6. Do you have a fireplace? Look for cracks in the brick that may have resulted from settlement.

7. Check for exterior brick wall cracking as well. Moisture that enters through these cracks can cause wall and insulation damage.

8. Inspect your doors and windows. If your windows and door frames have started to pull away from the wall, or they don’t open and close properly, it could be an indicator of foundation settlement.

9. Looks for interior wall and ceiling cracks, which are also signs of foundation problems.

10. Inspect your floors for any type of damage, including loose tiles. Are your floors starting to slope? Many times sloping floors are caused by foundation settlement. All homes settle over time. Too much settlement however, causes foundation damage.

11. Check your foundation for cracks, holes and other types of damage. Make sure your foundation walls are centered on footings. Does it look like your foundation has shifted? This could be the result of too much foundation settlement as well.

Approximately 1 in 5 homeowners put off making repairs. Remember that waiting to fix problems often results in more significant damage and escalated costs.

The safety of your family is also at stake. When foundation problems are ignored, the building’s structural integrity becomes increasingly compromised. During an earthquake, there is a greater chance of the home shifting off of its foundation. Even minor seismic activity could lead to a wall or roof collapse depending on the severity of the foundation problem.

If you want a thorough and detailed inspection of your home and property, contact a foundation repair company with extensive experience. A company that has inspected thousands of homes and businesses will know exactly what to look for when checking out your house. They can also give you knowledgeable advice on any repairs that may be needed.

Julian Construction Urges Homeowners to follow HUD Guidelines

US Department Of Housing And Urban Development Set Guidelines When Getting An Inspection

LOS ANGELES, CA: Julian Construction Inc. (http://julianconstruction.com/) a foundation construction and foundation repair company in Southern California, urges homeowners to be careful when arranging a home inspection, in order to always find a fully qualified inspector. The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has a large amount of information available on the subject, and has published a series of guidelines on the subject that they recommend homeowners to follow before and during the inspection process for any home repair or home foundation repair.

Julian Construction has found it common that homeowners get an inspection during the buying and selling process, as well as when determining if the house or house foundation needs repairs. Whenever a home inspection is called for, Julian Construction recommends the homeowner follow the guidelines laid out by the HUD to find a qualified inspector. A few of the points covered were:

• How long have you been practicing in the home inspection profession and how many inspections have you completed?
• Are you specifically experienced in residential inspection?
• Do you offer to do repairs or improvements based on the inspection?
• How long will the inspection take?

The complete list can be found online: http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/housing/sfh/insp/inspfaq

In the matter of experience, Julian Construction has over 10 years experience in the field of home and foundation inspection, and their team is headed by professional safety inspector Shawn Kyles who has inspected over 16,500 structures in his career. This has included many inspections of residential homes, and with enough experience in foundation inspection and foundation repair to ensure that nothing is missed during the inspection of a home’s foundation.

Julian De La Torre, founder of Julian Construction, stated: “We take care during the inspection process, because this is the step where if something is overlooked then it can cause problems down the road. Foundation problems are particularly important to handle in Southern California, where earthquakes are frequent. So it is vital for a home to receive regular inspections and have a well maintained 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, www.julianconstruction.com. You can see tips and advice about home foundations on their blog, at http://julianconstruction.typepad.com.

Foundation Repair Company Discusses Value Of Foundation Repair

Foundation Repairs Can Have Significant Impact On Resale Value Of A Home

LOS ANGELES, CA: Julian Construction, Inc. (http://julianconstruction.com/) a home foundation repair and general contractor company in LA, is warning homeowners that failure to act on foundation problems can decrease the value of a home. Julian Construction has worked with many homeowners to increase the value of a home by getting a foundation inspection and quickly addressing the foundation problems that came up.

Unhandled foundation problems make the buying/selling process more difficult. According to one Realtor in California, in response to a question from a homeowner selling a home in need of foundation repair:

“This is an important issue to discuss with your Realtor. You might be able to recover the cost by having the work done ahead of time and obtain better offers by doing the repairs. Foundation and roof costs are a couple of issues that really scare buyers.”

Julian Construction maintains the policy of doing a thorough inspection, which is based on the years of experience they have in the field. Their team is then able to do any repair work if it is needed, with a realistic estimate of what it will take to get the job done. The end result can be a home which maintains its resale value and is resultantly easier to sell on the market.

Julian De La Torre, founder of Julian Construction Inc., stated “A common time when we see someone needing a foundation inspection for their home is when they are looking to sell it. They wisely want these issues handled before they sell. This is the smartest approach. It can save more and give a larger return on investment if the repairs are done before the sale.”

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

Improper Drainage Systems Can Lead To Foundation Problems At Home

Company Performs Drainage System Installations to Prevent Drainage Problems

LOS ANGELES, CA: Julian Construction, Inc., (http://julianconstruction.com/) a foundation construction and foundation repair company in Southern California, is urging homeowners with any indications of drainage difficulties to get a proper inspection done to locate the problem. Drainage problems are often linked to foundation repair issues. The company is able to perform drainage system installations to remedy a faulty system,

According to the company’s experience, proper drainage systems provide a safeguard against the build-up of water and flooding during rainy seasons. Water accumulation around a building can cause soil erosion and shifting, which very often leads to foundation problems for the structure. There are several indications of drainage problems, such as water pooling in a yard, rain water accumulating on a rooftop, moisture seeping into a house, or if foundation cracks are already present in a structure, In any of these situations, drainage problems are a likely cause.

In any event of indication of drainage problems, the company urges an inspection of the structure to determine the nature of the problem. An inspection can be scheduled on the company’s website: http://julianconstruction.com/contact/schedule-an-inspection/

Julian De La Torre stated: “We run into drainage problems regularly. We find that a lot of homes have a drainage system that is ineffective or that it has been worn down by weather or other factors. We always look into the possibility of a poor drainage system and work to help the homeowner with any drainage problems we find. We find it to be a frequent cause of foundation problems.”

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/.

Julian Construction Stresses Earthquake Readiness for Homeowners

Construction Company Urges Homeowners to Take Steps Needed To Safeguard A Home

LOS ANGELES, CA: Julian Construction, Inc., (http://julianconstruction.com/), a home foundation repair company in Southern California, recently issued a public statement to homeowners on being prepared for the effects of earthquakes on a home. In addition to the dangers during a quake, earthquakes can cause structural damage to the foundation of homes. The company urged homeowners to take steps to keep their homes safe and increase earthquake preparedness.

Professional safety inspector, Shawn Kyles, stated: “An earthquake can cause serious damage to a home, especially if the building has not been retrofitted. Retrofitting is the modification of a structure by adding new components to make the building stronger. Following the 1994 Northridge earthquake, the severity of structural issues in residential neighborhoods varied considerably from house to house depending on the steps each homeowner had taken to fortify their home.”

The full text of the company’s public message can be seen on the company’s website: http://julianconstruction.typepad.com/julian-construction-blog/2012/04/retrofitting-a-home-for-earthquakes-1.html

Julian De La Torre, founder and owner of Julian Construction, stated: “At Julian Construction we’ve seen a lot of damage to foundations in the aftermath of earthquakes. It has to be watched for particularly if the home is in an area where earthquakes are common, such as in greater Los Angeles. There are tools like earthquake retrofitting that can help protect a building from the devastating effects of these quakes. If a home is safeguarded by first inspection, and then taking the proper action, then you can have greater peace of mind about the safety of the structure you live in.”

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

Why Experience Matters

By Shawn Kyles

Home inspections are common during the buying or selling process. Look on the Internet and you’ll find tips and advice on how to hire the best home inspector possible for your property. One point everyone agrees on is that when it comes to inspecting a home, experience is extremely important.

Even The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recommends homeowners find out how long the company has been practicing in the home inspection profession and how many inspections they have completed.

HUD also says to ask the company if they are specifically experienced in residential inspections. According to HUD, “there is no substitute for training and experience in the unique discipline of home inspection.”

If you are looking for a foundation repair expert, the same qualifications apply. Foundation repair is a specialized field of work. There are plenty of materials that can be read on the subject, but there is no substitute for the knowledge gained from spending decades on the job.

The first step in the foundation repair process is an inspection. The more foundations your repair expert has seen and worked on, the more thorough the inspection will be. Keep in mind that anything that is missed during a foundation inspection can lead to costly repairs down the line. Californians in particular need to make sure that their foundation is regularly inspected by a qualified foundation company and kept in good shape in order to prevent building damage during earthquakes.

What questions should you ask before hiring a foundation expert? What you are looking for is a company with a strong track-record of foundation inspection experience. Find out how many years the company has been inspecting and repairing foundations (not just how many years they have been in business). Ask them what licenses and training they have. Get referrals. Call and talk to their customers about the quality of the work that was performed. Collect up enough information about each company so that you can make the best and most informed decision possible.

Consider this. For many people, their home is the single, most important financial investment they will ever make. Hiring a qualified foundation repair company is essential if you want to maintain the value of your home. It will also help you avoid more serious (and expensive) foundation issues that could lead to major reconstruction.

A foundation repair company with decades of experience can be trusted to conduct a proper and thorough inspection. This includes not only identifying the problem, but finding its cause. If any repair work is needed, a knowledgeable company will be able to explain all of your options in detail and answer any questions you have about the work. They will also give you a realistic estimate of what it will take to get the job done.

Most importantly, when you hire a company that has not only been in business a long time, but also inspected and repaired thousands of foundations, you will have more confidence about the work that is being performed and greater peace of mind regarding your home’s structural integrity and your family’s safety.