Julian Construction Inc. Is Largest Foundation Repair Company in Greater LA

Foundation Construction Company Has Done Twice as Many Jobs in Last 5 Years as Nearest Competitor

LOS ANGELES, CA: Julian Construction Inc. (http://www.julianconstruction.com) is celebrating the fact they have done more foundation repair jobs in the last 5 years than any other company in the metro Los Angeles area. In fact, the company has done almost twice as many jobs as their nearest competitor.

Julian Construction was founded in the year 2000 by Julian De La Torre, and the company focused on home foundation repair, foundation construction, earthquake retrofitting – also called house bolting, and floor leveling. De La Torre began doing earthquake retrofitting in the days before the Northridge earthquake of 1994, and his goal in founding Julian Construction was to ensure that L.A. area homeowners and commercial property owners are prepared in the event of future earthquake strikes. His partner, Shawn Kyles, has inspected over 16,500 structures over the course of his career.

Julian stated: “It’s great to know that we have done more jobs than any other foundation company in Los Angeles. But for us, what’s more important is knowing we are helping more homeowners and making more homes safer. And for the customer, it means more people have trusted us to work on their homes, and that you won’t find anyone in LA with more experience.”

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/

Julian Construction Inc. Celebrates Their 15th Anniversary

Foundation Construction Company Reflects On Their Objectives Over The Last 15 Years

LOS ANGELES, CA: Julian Construction Inc. (http://www.julianconstruction.com) celebrates their 15th anniversary this year in the foundation repair and foundation construction business. On this occasion they take a moment to look at their company objectives in these past 15 years.

Since its founding in the year 2000, Julian Construction has had as its basic focus the repair and construction of home foundations. Julian De La Torre, founder of the company, began doing earthquake retrofitting in the days before the Northridge earthquake of 1994, and his goal in founding Julian Construction was to ensure that L.A. area homeowners and commercial property owners are prepared in the event of future earthquake strikes. His partner, Shawn Kyles, has inspected over 16,500 structures over the course of his career.

Another of Julian’s objective is for their clients to not have to deal with a middle man, salesmen, or subcontractors. Their intention is that property owners can work directly with their company and thus can get the foundation services they need at an affordable price.

Julian stated: “It’s really great looking back at 15 years-worth of the people we have helped, making their homes more secure. I think the next ten years will be even better and we’ll be able to help even more people have peace of mind knowing their properties are as safe 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, http://www.julianconstruction.com. You can see tips and advice about home foundations on their blog, at http://julianconstruction.com/blog/

JulianConstruction.com: Earthquake Forecast--Big and Bigger

By Shawn Kyles

You’ve probably seen more than a few stories about the “Big One”- a magnitude 8.0 or greater earthquake that scientists predict will occur along the San Andreas Fault sometime in the future. Whether that future is an hour from now, next week or decades away is unknown.

The San Andreas Fault runs through California and is approximately 800 miles long. It is the boundary between two of the planet’s tectonic plates, the Pacific plate and the North American plate. Tectonic plates, which are made up of the Earth’s crust and mantle, are in various degrees of motion across the planet. Their movement over time is generally unnoticeable, except in places where they meet.

The San Andreas Fault has three main sections. The southern section starts in Bombay Beach, CA. a small town in Imperial County south of Palm Desert that is 223 feet below sea level - the lowest community in America.

From Bombay Beach, the fault runs through the base of the San Bernardino Mountains, across the Cajon Pass in the Angeles National Forest, and along the San Gabriel Mountains to Parkfield in Monterey County and northwest of Bakersfield. This particular stretch of the fault can produce a quake of up to magnitude 8.1.

The central part of the fault runs from Parkfield to Hollister and the northern segment from Hollister (south of San Jose) to the Mendocino Triple Junction. The Mendocino Triple Junction is where the North American Plate and the Pacific Plate meet up with the Gorda plate.

Experts say that a major earthquake along the San Andreas Fault could last 15 times longer than the 1994 Northridge quake, cause thousands of deaths, tens of thousands of injuries and hundreds of billions of dollars in damage.

But scientists are now claiming that a quake along the lesser known Cascadia fault (technically called the Cascadia subduction zone) could be even deadlier.

The Cascadia fault is 620 miles long, stretching from Cape Mendocino, in northern California and west of Redding, to northern Vancouver Island. It separates the North America plate from the oceanic Juan de Fuca plate. Its name comes from the Cascade Range, a volcanic mountain range located along the same geographical area.

Earthquakes along the fault have been occurring approximately every 243 years. The Pacific Northwest is currently “past due” for a Cascadia fault quake by about 72 years. And that quake, when it happens, is expected to be an 8.0 to 9.2 magnitude seismic event, followed by a devastating tsunami.

According to Kenneth Murphy, a FEMA director for Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Alaska, “Our operating assumption is that everything west of Interstate 5 will be toast.”

With the Big One and Bigger One looming, earthquake preparedness and planning is vital for anyone who lives on the West Coast. Your neighborhood may not end up in a pile of smoldering debris, but you should anticipate a lengthy recovery period while communications are restored and roads are repaired.

Part of that preparation includes earthquake retrofitting your home, especially if the house was built during or before the 1980s. Even a new house should be given a foundation inspection by experienced foundation contractors. Doing everything you can to improve the structural integrity of your home could end up saving lives when the ground begins to shake.

JulianConstruction.com: Types of Drywall

by Shawn Kyles

For the past 50 years drywall has been a common type of material used in the construction of homes to make interior walls and ceilings. It covers insulation, wiring and the structure’s frame. It is also used to create separations in buildings requiring fire-rated materials.
The reason for drywall’s extensive usage and popularity is its low cost, ease of installation and durability.

Drywall is also known as wallboard, plasterboard, gypsum board and Sheetrock (a brand name). It is made of gypsum (powdered rock) plaster that has been pressed between two sheets of extremely thick paper.

Gypsum is a soft, fine-grained white mineral. In addition to drywall, it is used as a fertilizer and for blackboard chalk. Gypsum can even be made into blocks similar to concrete blocks, and mortar. In Asian cultures, it is a source of dietary calcium

Standard drywall sheets are 4’ x 8’. You can also purchase drywall that is 10 and 12 feet long. The drywall used for ceilings is 5/8 inch thick and the drywall used for walls is typically 1/2 inch thick. You can also purchase drywall that is 3/8 inch thick.

In addition to size and thickness variations, drywall can also be square edged, taper-edged, moisture resistant, soundproof, fire-resistant and foil-backed. Deciding what type of drywall to use will depend on your project.

Water-resistant drywall (greenboard) is needed in areas where there is moisture, such as kitchens, bathrooms, or regions with a humid climate. In many cases, the greenboard will also need a waterproof membrane to prevent water penetration. Another option for areas exposed to water is cement board. A cement board is fiber reinforced cement. It does not have outward facing paper.

You can also buy drywall that is mold-resistant. Drywall that is mold resistant typically has paperless backing and a special coating to prevent mold.

Fire resistant drywall is for walls or ceilings that require a fire-rating beyond 20 minutes. To create this type of drywall, strands of fibers are added to the gypsum. This increases the ability of the drywall to withstand fire for a longer period of time.

If you are planning to install drywall in high traffic commercial areas, you may want to consider impact resistant drywall. This type of drywall is made by adding fibers to the gypsum as well as increasing the thickness of the paper.

Soundproof drywall (quiet rock) has viscoelastic polymers added to the gypsum, The polymers convert sound energy to heat energy.

You can even purchase lead-lined drywall for drywall jobs in areas such as x-ray rooms. Lead-lined drywall is made by adding 1/16” layer of lead between the gypsum and paper backing. The lead blocks the x-rays from penetrating the wall.

If your drywall job involves the use of veneer plaster, you will need blue board, a type of drywall covered with a special coating. The coating makes it easier for the plaster to adhere to the drywall.
When it comes to installing drywall, hire a general or foundation contractor. A professional will know what type of drywall is needed for your project. You will also have peace of mind knowing that the drywall was properly installed and can pass a foundation inspection.


Shawn Kyles, expert in Los Angeles foundation inspection, repair & house bolting at Julian Construction (http://www.julianconstruction.com) in Los Angeles, has inspected over 15,000 structures for building & safety and done more foundation repair than anyone else (http://julianconstruction.com/about/ ). See their video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6I8j7dXzpj4

Foundation Problems Recognizable By Different Cracks

Different Foundation Cracks Indicate Several Different Structural Problems

LOS ANGELES, CA: Julian Construction, Inc., (http://julianconstruction.com/) a foundation construction and general contractor construction company in the Los Angeles area, just released an article detailing many different types of foundation cracks and what each one indicates. Different foundation cracks are caused by conditions in the soil and structure and each has a specific cause. Shawn Kyles, structural safety inspection expert, wrote the article to help homeowners recognize these potentially dangerous foundation problems.

Mr. Kyles states: “When cracks appear in walls, it is often a sign of foundation problems or damage. Many times the problem is caused by foundation shrinkage, soil expansion or settlement. Earthquakes can cause cracking as well. Where the crack is occurring, its size and shape can tell you a lot about the problem. Knowing how to ‘read’ them can help you determine the seriousness of the situation and what action to take.”

The full text of the article can be found here: http://julianconstruction.com/julianconstruction-com-different-types-of-foundation-cracks/

The company strongly recommends that homeowners quickly address any of these signs of foundation damage. A competent foundation inspection by a trained professional can locate the cause of the problem and indicate the appropriate foundation repair.

Julian De La Torre, founder of Julian Construction, stated: “It is a positive thing to know that with these different foundation problems, each has a different way to recognize it. When you know that, you can be more alert to the problem, and you are more knowledgeable when it occurs as to what is happening. You know when a problem is serious or not, because different cracks will tell you what kind of foundation problem you are looking at. And a trained foundation specialist will be able to spot the source of the problem right away so it can be completely handled.”

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/

Efforts to Proof California Homes Against Earthquakes Ongoing

Earthquake Retrofitting a Continuing and Large Scale Process for Homes in California

LOS ANGELES, CA: Julian Construction, Inc., (http://julianconstruction.com/) a foundation repair and construction and earthquake retrofitting specialist company in California, is joining with many different organizations and the Los Angeles Mayor in a concerted effort to bring California’s homes up to code and ready for the next big earthquake. The earthquake preparedness process ranges from small repairs of homes which need more modern earthquake reinforcement, to large repairs of office buildings which may be in great danger of collapse in the event of an earthquake.
The company urges all California homeowners and business owners to join in the process.

Shawn Kyles, Julian Construction’s building safety inspection expert, stated: “In California, considerable efforts are being made to ensure commercial and residential buildings are earthquake-proof. Even so, many structures are still not retrofitted. It’s important for anyone in California to know whether or not their home could withstand a large earthquake. Houses with no earthquake retrofitting can fall off the foundation or collapse when the ground starts to shake. Sometimes, damage can be severe enough to require the home be torn down.”

One such person joining in the effort to strengthen California homes is Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti, who made the following statement in December last year: “The time for retrofit is now. Complacency risks lives. One thing we can’t afford to do is wait.” The mayor announced his intentions for a city-wide earthquake retrofitting program here:
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-earthquake-safety-retrofit-20141208-story.html

Julian De La Torre, founder of Julian Construction, stated: “The need for earthquake retrofitting has been with us for some time. There are buildings which were built decades ago which are not up to current code, and sometimes we find modern buildings where the foundation was not done correctly. All of these need to be replaced. I’m very happy to see a large effort to handle all of California’s buildings. In a state like this, with how many earthquakes we get every year, we cannot let a home be at risk of collapse in an earthquake.”

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: Different Types of Foundation Cracks

by Shawn Kyles

When cracks appear in walls, it is often a sign of foundation problems or damage. Many times the problem is caused by foundation shrinkage, soil expansion or settlement. Earthquakes can cause cracking as well. Where the crack is occurring, its size and shape can tell you a lot about the problem. Knowing how to “read” them can help you determine the seriousness of the situation and what action to take.

It is not uncommon to find minor cracking in concrete foundations, possibly indicating a need for concrete foundation repair. This is because concrete shrinks as it cures. Curing is not just the result of water loss, it is also a chemical reaction. The amount of shrinkage that will occur depends on many factors, such as the type of concrete that was used, the temperature at the time of the pour and how much water was used.

These are usually thin, vertical cracks that appear randomly throughout the foundation. They can range in length from a couple of inches to the entire height of the wall. If the concrete was incorrectly or poorly mixed, the cracks will tend to be larger. The degree and characteristics of the cracking can also be influenced by the use (or lack) of steel reinforcements. Shrinkage cracking will typically stop once the concrete has been cured.

Foundation cracks occurring in an older building should be of more concern. In particular, be on the lookout for vertical wall cracks that become noticeably larger in a short period of time. Although the cracking may be the result of settlement, it can also be an indicator of more serious foundation problems. Cracks that are wider at the top than bottom can be dangerous as well, especially if you find them near the ends of a brick wall.

Generally, wall cracks that have a wider bottom than top are caused by settlement. If there is too much settlement, there may be underlying foundation issues that need to be addressed. Contact a seasoned foundation contractor if you have concerns about this kind of cracking, especially if they are appearing in a brick wall, to see if home foundation repair is needed.

Take note of any cracks that have a step-like pattern. These types of cracks can be caused by foundation settlement, as well as expanding and contracting soil or landscaping too close to the building.

Other causes of this kind of cracking can include:

Omitted footings
Frost heave
Shallow footings
Water problems
An inadequate backfill

Step cracks can often be seen outside as well as inside your home. You will want to have any cracks with this pattern inspected by a foundation repair (Los Angeles) expert.

Horizontal cracks in walls are often the most serious type of cracking. In most cases they can only be seen in crawl areas or a basement. Sometimes the cause of this type of cracking is expansive soil or improper backfilling. Either way, if you find horizontal cracks in either of those areas, immediately contact a foundation contractor, especially if the cracks are increasing in size over time.

Shawn Kyles, expert in Los Angeles foundation inspection, repair & house bolting at Julian Construction (http://www.julianconstruction.com) in Los Angeles, has inspected over 15,000 structures for building & safety (http://julianconstruction.com/about/ ). See their video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6I8j7dXzpj4