Recognizing Signs of Roof Damage

Los Angeles Contractor Shares Warning Signs of Roof Damage and What You Can Do About It.

Julian Construction (http://www.julianconstruction.com) a foundation repair and construction company in Los Angeles, has compiled a checklist that you can use to tell if you have any roof damage issues. If you notice any of the items mentioned, you should contact a roofing contractor to schedule an inspection.

Cold weather brings with it an increase in risk factors for roof damage including; rain, falling leaves, and freezing temperatures. The maintenance and regular inspection of your roof will help protect against roof leaks and their effects, such as dry rot and mold.
Keep an eye out for these warning signs:

• Missing, loose, or warped roof tiles or shingles which leave the underlying roof materials exposed and prone to damage
• Leaks around chimneys, skylights, or air vents, which can be an indication of damaged or improperly installed flashing.
• Clogged gutters which can cause water damage from overflow
• Roof leaks are especially serious and should be immediately addressed to prevent dry rot and mold.

If you notice any of the above signs of roof damage, call a qualified construction company near you to perform roof inspections and whatever type of roof repair you may need. Don’t worry if the weather has already gotten overcast and rainy, roofs can be repaired or replaced at any time, even in wet weather.

Julian De La Torre of Julian Construction, stated: “Having your roof regularly inspected by a professional contractor is an important part of the home 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. Roof repairs can be done very easily at any time of the year when overseen by a competent construction company.”

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/

How to Tell If Your Foundation is in Need of Repairs

Los Angeles Foundation Contractor shares warning signs of foundation damage

Julian Construction (http://www.julianconstruction.com) a foundation repair and construction company in Los Angeles, has compiled a checklist that you can use to walk around your house with, to tell if you have any foundation damage issues. If you notice any of the items mentioned, you should contact a foundation contractor to schedule an inspection.

As a homeowner, it can be difficult to tell when something is wrong with your foundation, especially since the early warning signs can be subtle. However, a damaged foundation is very dangerous and it is important to have it inspected regularly to catch and repair damage before it has a chance to get worse.

• Doors and windows that have shifted and don’t open and close properly. This can be a sign that your foundation has settled.
• Cracks on the outside of your home- especially diagonal ones. If they are small it could be a cosmetic issue, but large cracks are often a sign of a larger problem.
• Nails that have popped out from the wall, indicating that the drywall may be bowing inward or outward.
• Sloping floors. If the floor is gradually sloping less than an inch across the whole foundation, it might not be an issue. However, if your floor has a height difference of more than an inch over 15-20 feet, it is more likely the foundation settling or shifting.
• Gaps between the caulking on windows and doors. This is usually caused by the foundation shifting.
• Patios that have pulled away from your home. This is a sure sign of a shifting or sinking foundation.
  Wallpaper that has wrinkled or creased. This can be caused by a sinking or shifting foundation, which in turn, causes the walls to shift.
• Sunken floors or foundation. If you notice the ground around your foundation sinking, you could have a big foundation issue on your hands, call for an inspection right away.

If you encounter any of the above problems, you don’t necessarily need to replace your foundation. It is often possible to repair smaller issues and cracks with a strap, epoxy injection or a pad known as an underpin, halting the damage and strengthening your foundation for a safer home.

Julian De La Torre, founder and owner of Julian Construction, stated: “Keeping your home’s foundation in good repair is so important, it’s the first thing we look at when we go to a home with structural problems. And maintaining the foundation will prevent more serious problems from occurring in the future. Always get your home inspected on a regular basis. It’s important for the safety of your 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 Los Angeles foundation repair on their blog, at http://julianconstruction.com/blog/

Julian Construction Warns of the Dangers Of Poor Drainage and Cold, Wet Weather

Drainage Problems, Mold, and Foundation Cracks- Are You At Risk?

Julian Construction (http://www.julianconstruction.com) a foundation repair and construction company in Los Angeles, is warning the public of some of the home foundation problems that can arise from wet weather, and what you can do about it.
As the weather gets cooler and wetter, the risk for indoor mold and foundation cracking increases. The maintenance and installation of proper drainage systems surrounding your home provide a safeguard against the effects of water accumulation and flooding during the rainy season.

Be on the look-out for signs of drainage problems, as a potential threat to the foundation of your home. There is a list below of indicators of drainage problems. If you encounter any of them on your property, contact an experienced foundation contractor near you for help resolving the issues.

 Water pooling in a yard
 Rainwater accumulating on a rooftop
 Moisture seeping into a house
 Foundation cracks
 Mold, mildew, or a damp musty smell

In addition to water damage that can be caused by any of the above problems (including drywall damage, mold, and mildew), foundation damage can also occur if the problem is not corrected early enough. When water seeps into the soil underneath a foundation, it can cause the soil to expand and lift the foundation, resulting in foundation cracks. When the soil dries, the foundation will settle.

Constant expansion and contraction will increase and worsen structural damage. Water can also create foundation cracks and make any existing fissures larger.

A qualified construction company can install a drainage system to avoid mold and foundation problems from poor drainage.

Julian De La Torre, founder and owner of Julian Construction, stated: “It’s vital to make sure that water is being drained away from your home properly. If it is not draining properly, and is pooling near the house, you are at risk of foundation damage. If you suspect you have a problem, get an experienced foundation expert out to inspect your 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, http://www.julianconstruction.com. You can see tips and advice about home foundations on their blog, at http://julianconstruction.com/blog/

JulianConstruction.com: Common Types of Anchor Bolts Used in House Bolting

By Julian De La Torre

Over the years we have learned the effect seismic activity has on a building and how to minimize the impact of a quake.

Earthquakes can cause a building to slide, shift off of its foundation and overturn. They can also buckle cripple walls, causing them to collapse.

House bolting is also called foundation bolting, anchor bolting, or seismic retrofitting. The purpose of house bolting is to make the structure safer and prevent damage during an earthquake. The bolts strengthen the wood frame by connecting it securely to the foundation. The two types of bolts commonly used in house bolting are epoxy foundation bolts and expansion foundation bolts.

If you live in an older home, an epoxy-set foundation bolt will be your best option. Older homes tend to have weaker concrete. Epoxy bolts are longer than expansion foundation bolts, which means they must be inserted deeper into the concrete. The deeper insertion improves the bolt’s performance.

Epoxy bolts are also a good choice in locations where the motion of a quake can lift up the structure. Because of the length of the bolt, the chances of the wood frame pulling away from the concrete foundation is reduced.

Expansion foundation bolts are best used with foundation concrete that is in good shape, such as concrete in a new home or a new foundation in an older home. This is because the bolt requires “strong concrete” to be effective. The bolts can be used as long as they don’t crack the concrete.

Anchor bolts need to be installed with square plate washers. The washers create a sturdier and more secure connection to the foundation. Before square plate washers came into use, the bolts were secured with round washers. However, round washers did not have enough holding strength.

Sometimes other types of anchors may be necessary, depending on whether or not the home has cripple walls. Homes can also have a combination of cripple walls and places where the floor rests on the foundation.

To find out if your house needs bolting, go down into your home’s crawl space. The crawl space is the area between the foundation and the first floor. Find the sill plate, which is the board located on top of the foundation. Most but not all sill plates are made of lumber. The board runs horizontal to the vertical wall.

Inspect the sill plate for the head of anchor bolts. In most cases they will appear every four to six feet.
Many homes built during and after the late 1930’s will have some form of house bolting (Los Angeles and other earthquake-prone cities especially). Check to see if any existing bolts have become weak, or are set to far apart to provide the support needed in a quake.

Any work that gets done to strengthen the structure of your home needs to meet current standards. A foundation repair expert or foundation contractor should be consulted to determine if any existing bolting needs to be replaced, and the extent of any new bolting that may be necessary.


Julian De La Torre, expert in Los Angeles foundation inspection, repair & house bolting 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 work than any other company in the Los Angeles area over the last five years (http://julianconstruction.com/about/ ). 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

New Video Explains Earthquake Retrofitting

Foundation Contractor Publishes Video on House Bolting and Earthquake Retrofitting

LOS ANGELES, CA: Julian Construction, Inc., (http://julianconstruction.com/) a foundation construction and foundation repair company in Southern California, has released a new video explaining the earthquake retrofitting process. The video explains how earthquake retrofitting, also called house bolting, can make a home foundation more secure and safe during a potential earthquake.

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.

The new video on earthquake retrofitting was designed by Julian Construction. The video can be found on the company’s page dedicated to earthquake retrofitting and house bolting, where more data is presented on the process and what type of house bolting is needed for a particular home:
http://julianconstruction.com/services/earthquake-retrofitting-or-house-bolting/

Julian De La Torre, founder of Julian Construction, stated: “This video is informational. In the industry we know the need for house bolting in homes that were built before this was common practice. But the general public needs to know, as this process is so vital to securing a home against earthquakes. Here in California the threat of earthquakes looms large. We have minor earthquakes almost daily, and the Big One is expected to be on the way. But by being well prepared for an earthquake, we could prevent billions of dollars worth of property damage and leave many families with their homes still standing. We hope the video provides useful information on this to people.”

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/

California’s Next Big Earthquake Not What Expected

Experts Point To An Even Larger Earthquake Overdue to Hit Pacific Coast

LOS ANGELES, CA: Julian Construction, Inc., (http://julianconstruction.com/) a foundation repair company and general foundation contractors in Los Angeles, has been researching the upcoming earthquake predicted to hit the San Andreas fault, the “Big One”. What they’ve found is the approach of an even bigger quake, predicted to hit from an unsuspected source.

In a recent article, building safety inspection specialist Shawn Kyles stated: “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...But scientists are now claiming that a quake along the lesser known Cascadia fault (technically called the Cascadia subduction zone) could be even deadlier.”

Much more is said about the previously unknown Cascadia fault quake, as well as San Andreas, in the full article: http://julianconstruction.com/julianconstruction-com-earthquake-forecast-big-and-bigger/

Mr Kyles does make a final statement to California residents on earthquake preparedness: “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.”

Julian De La Torre, founder of Julian Construction, stated: “We have to be prepared. We cannot stand by and let this happen. We know about it now, so all homeowners need to take action to be prepared. Securing your foundation will mean increased safety for your family in the event of an earthquake, so your home can stay standing.”

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: Does Your Foundation Need To Be Replaced?

By Shawn Kyles

Foundation problems become worse over time. Minor cracking from moisture or settlement can turn into large cracks and other foundation issues that make it difficult to open or close windows and doors. At some point, you may even notice walls starting to bulge or floors beginning to slope. Similar problems can occur if the foundation was poorly designed, or built on expansive soil.

When the damage becomes too severe, the entire structure will weaken and eventually collapse. If your home or commercial structure is located in an area where there is seismic activity, the risk of collapse is even greater. When a foundation is damaged, one good jolt could knock the entire building down.

Regular inspections and home foundation repair can keep your foundation in good shape. However, when a foundation isn’t properly maintained or signs of damage are ignored, the foundation may end up needing to be replaced.

Foundation replacement is no small task. You will not be able to live in your home while the work is being done.

To begin with, all of the building’s utilities will need to be turned off. This includes shutting down water and sewer lines. Next, the home will be lifted many feet above the ground in order to replace the cement slab and surrounding walls. A trench may need to be dug around the house in order to remove the walls. It may even be necessary to remove the first floor of the building.

If the soil under the foundation wasn’t properly compact, it will be dug out and replaced.
Once the new soil is put in, it will need to be compacted. After the compaction, a new cement foundation will be poured, which will take several days to cure. The building may also need to be reinforced with steel or other types of support. Concrete and/or concrete blocks will be used to replace foundation walls.

Before the house can be put back on its foundation, the trench around the building will be filled in and any underground utilities will be reconnected. When necessary, outside foundation walls will be waterproofed. The building may also need additional interior and exterior repairs before the job is considered finished.

Foundation replacement can be expensive and take weeks to complete. Both lifting the building and providing proper shoring during the project can be costly. Many times the shoring will require utilities to be relocated.

In older homes, particularly buildings with stone or brick foundation walls, a footing may need to be built for the new foundation.

Annual inspections by an experienced foundation repair company can help you avoid serious foundation and structural damage. A foundation contractor will look for signs of trouble in and around the building and provide recommendations on any needed repairs.

You should also make your own periodic inspections of the property. Never hesitate to contact a foundation repair professional if something doesn’t seem right. It could mean the difference between a simple repair job and foundation replacement.


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 home foundation repair than anyone else (http://julianconstruction.com/about/). See their video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6I8j7dXzpj4