Julian Construction Tells Public How to Be Safer in an Earthquake

Julian Construction, Inc., (http://www.julianconstruction.com), a foundation repair and construction company in Los Angeles, continues their efforts to educate homeowners about foundation maintenance and the importance of ensuring their home’s foundation is up to modern standards of earthquake resistance.

Southern California has one of the highest incident rates for earthquakes in the entire United States and Los Angeles is right in the middle of that earthquake zone. If you’ve lived here long enough you’ve probably had your fair share of mild quakes but if you’ve experienced a larger earthquake you know how devastating the effects can be.

Julian Construction takes earthquake safety seriously and specializes in foundation repair and construction. Julian De La Torre, founder of Julian Construction, stated “If you have an older home you may have insufficient, out-dated, or missing attachments securing the house to the foundation. However, if your foundation is in good condition you may not have to completely replace your foundation to make your home safer in an earthquake. Foundations can be retrofitted to make them stronger and more stable during the next quake. 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.”

“You shouldn’t have to worry about whether your home will be safe in the event of an earthquake. You should rest easy, knowing your home rests on a structurally sound foundation. We can inspect your home to find out what steps are needed to get it 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, http://www.julianconstruction.com or http://losangelesfoundationrepair.us/. You can see tips and advice about home foundations on their blog, at http://julianconstruction.com/blog/

JulianConstruction.com: House Leveling Tips

By Julian De La Torre

At some point, your home’s foundation may need to be repaired. Houses settle over time, causing floors to slope and many other problems. Having trouble opening and closing windows? Your foundation may have settled too far into the soil, or settled unevenly. Other signs include wall cracks, sticking doors, floor bumps or squeaky floors or a house that looks “uneven” from the outside. Walls can start to bow or lean, and gaps can appear around doors and windows.

Settlement can be caused by more than just the age of the house. Sometimes homes are built on soil that hasn’t been compacted properly. Soil can also get wet, causing it to expand. When it dries, it will shrink.

Excessive settlement can occur in both cases, which can further damage a foundation. Your foundation can also be harmed by poor drainage and plumbing leaks.

When a floor is sloping, it can eventually slide off the foundation, especially during an earthquake.

A foundation repair expert is the best person to talk to about foundation issues, especially if you are seeing signs of settlement. There are many ways to repair a foundation. An experienced foundation expert will inspect your property to determine what is causing the situation and can fix any problems.
House leveling is one of the most popular methods of foundation repair. The leveling begins by inserting beams under your home that are supported by hydraulic jacks. Different sizes of jacks will be used to slowly raise the foundation. After the house has been leveled, piers are added to maintain the new height of the floors. The piers are placed directly into the soil for added support.

During the process, any damaged or rotten beams will need to be removed.

Helical piers are typically used to level a house. They can be used in all types of soil, are quickly installed and will have a minimal impact on your landscape. They can also be used in places where there is a high water table.

An important part of house leveling is knowing where to lift the house. Also keep in mind that raising the floor will usually create quite a bit of noise. Many times it is better to level the house over a period of days or weeks, raising it a few inches at a time. This will help prevent drywall and plaster from cracking. The home’s size and weight will also determine how long the project takes.

If house leveling isn’t done right, it can cause additional damage to your home. The structure of the house can weaken, windows will start breaking and large cracks can appear.

House leveling can help you avoid a complement foundation replacement, which can be expensive.

The best way to prevent costly repairs is to stay alert to problems and get them fixed as soon as possible. Ask a foundation contractor or house leveling contractors to check your home for foundation damage at least once a year. Get a thorough inspection both inside and out. Taking quick action on any issues can minimize repair expenses and keep you and your family safe.

Julian De La Torre, expert in Los Angeles foundation inspection, repair & 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/ ). 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

Should You Replace or Repair Your Foundation?

Los Angeles Foundation Contractor Gives Tips on Deciding to Repair or Replace

LOS ANGELES, CA: Julian Construction Inc., (http://julianconstruction.com/), a foundation construction and foundation repair company in Southern California, shares information on foundation problems and gives tips on deciding between repairable damage and foundations needing replacement.

Julian De La Torre, founder of Julian Construction, stated “It is important to note that in homes where the owners neglected signs of foundation problems, they 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.”

“Replacing a foundation can be a complicated and involved process depending on the size of the structure, its location and the extent of the damage. Whenever possible, it is preferable to repair foundation damage instead of replacing the whole foundation. Repair is not always possible if the damage has gone unchecked for a long time and become extensive.”

Fully understanding the cause of your foundation problem is the first step. 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.

De La Tore stated “Examples of an improperly designed foundation include inadequate support and reinforcement, cement that hasn’t been cured correctly and a foundation that is too thin. Poor soil conditions typically involve soil that expands when wet and contracts when dry. Plumbing leaks and inadequate drainage can also create havoc with a foundation. Whether the problem is design, soil or moisture, the result will be foundation settlement. Indicators of settlement include wall cracks and sloping floors, as well as doors and windows that won’t open or close properly.”

“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.”

“It is a positive thing to know that with these different foundation problems, each has a different way of recognizing 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,” concluded De La Torre.

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/

Cold Weather, Foundation Problems, and You

Julian Construction (http://www.julianconstruction.com), a foundation repair and construction company in Los Angeles, explains some of the home foundation problems that can arise from cold weather, and what you can do about it.

There are a number of foundation problems that can crop up when the mercury dips. Here are a few you can look out for to help prevent problems from forming and recognize any that already have.

Julian De La Torre, founder of Julian Construction, stated “Cold weather can cause your foundation to crack, even if the temperature is above freezing. Damage can be caused by temperatures as high as 40 degrees if it stays that cold for three or more days. Cracks in your home’s foundation can let water in, and water is the most damaging element to a foundation. If moisture gets into your foundation it can cause more cracks and many other types of damage.”

“Winter rains will also cause the soil to expand. The expansion underneath your foundation can propel a foundation upwards, which is called heave. If your home is built on soil that retains a lot of water, the damage that soil expansion can cause to your home can be extensive. If frost develops in the soil, it will increase its volume, which can also heave the foundation. When the frost thaws, suction is created that draws in more water. Constant freezing and thawing creates uneven foundation pressure as well as foundation shifts.”

“Take a walk around your house and check for cracks in drywall, cracking and or peeling paint and wallpaper, gaps between floors and walls, gaps in door or window frames, and doors that are sagging and sticking in their frames. If you find any of the above you should schedule an appointment with a foundation repair specialist to check for foundation issues that could lead to trouble.”

“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,” concluded De La Torre.

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 Offers Soft-Story Retrofitting in Los Angeles

Los Angeles Makes Soft Story Retrofitting Mandatory for Wood-Frame Structures

LOS ANGELES, CA: Julian Construction, Inc., (http://www.julianconstruction.com/), a foundation construction and foundation repair company in the Los Angeles area, is now offering soft-story building retrofitting, which is now mandatory for wood-frame soft story buildings within the city of Los Angeles.

A soft-story building is a multi-story structure where the ground floor has unsupported floors above it, due to a wide front window or other wide section of the second floor with no supporting beam under it. The most common type of soft-story building is an apartment building built with the second story over an open parking area. Other types include retail businesses with large windows, as well as multi-level commercial structures with floors that have large spaces, windows and doors. Soft-story buildings are much more likely to collapse during an earthquake, and so are especially dangerous in areas of high seismic activity like Los Angeles.

The City of Los Angeles recently passed an Ordinance requiring the retrofit of all wood-frame Soft-Story buildings

If you own a soft-story building- especially an older wood-frame building, contact a local construction company to schedule an inspection consultation. The structural stability of your building and the safety of its occupants and users is extremely important, especially in areas of high seismic activity like Los Angeles.

Julian De La Torre, founder and owner of Julian Construction, stated: “No two soft-story retrofitting projects are the same and so there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Ideally, we consider several factors to determine the best way to approach the project to get the building to meet the structural standards of retrofitted soft-story buildings, while also having a minimal impact on the function and use of the building. We see these kinds of soft story buildings every day. Fortunately much more is known about the risks involved with this type of design now, so buildings today are built much more securely. But with older buildings, it is important to know the risks involved with soft story structural issues.”

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: Bolting Mudsills to a Cement Foundation

By Julian De La Torre

Do you know if your house is bolted to the foundation? Bolting is a type of seismic retrofitting that secures a home’s mudsill to its concrete foundation. Mudsill is the horizontal wood that sits on top of the foundation. It is the bottom of an exterior wall that connects the frame of the house to the footing.

Mudsills that aren’t connected to the foundation (or poorly connected) will start to move during a quake, along with the walls they are attached to. This motion can cause gas lines to break and electrical wires to pull out. Floors can also be damaged. If the shaking is severe, the entire building may end up collapsing.

When the mudsill is properly bolted to the concrete, it prevents the home from slipping and sliding during seismic activity.

Bolting a home to its foundation became a Uniform Building Code requirement in 1949. However, it took almost 10 years for local government to implement the code. Consequently, most homes built before 1960 have not been bolted to their foundations. Without bolting, an earthquake can shake the home off of its foundation.

You can check to see if your home’s mudsill has been bolted by going into your crawl space or basement and looking for thick bolts across the top of the sill. You should see bolts every 4 to 6 feet. There should also be steel anchor plates connecting the edge of the sill to the foundation’s side.

If you find any rusted bolts, they will need to be replaced. Rusted bolts are more common in moisture-prone areas.

Also look for recessed bolts. When the foundation is poured and bolts aren’t sticking up high enough, the mudsill around the bolt needs to be chiseled to get the nut on. This can make it difficult to tighten the nuts and virtually impossible for any anchor plates to be installed. Recessed bolts should be replaced.

An important point regarding bolting is the depth of penetration into the concrete. There are minimum and standard depth requirements depending on the type of anchor bolts being used.
Replacing bolts can be difficult because of the tight space. A foundation repair expert will know which bolts need to be replaced in addition to having all of the tools that will be needed to get the job done right.

Bolting is only one part of the retrofitting process. Even homes that are bolted can suffer severe damage from a quake if the cripple walls haven’t been braced properly. The cripple wall is the short wall between the first floor and the foundation. Cripple walls need reinforcement with sturdy materials like plywood. Stucco and wood siding does not provide enough support for the walls.

The best way to find out if your home is properly bolted, is to contact a foundation contractor, a specialist in this area, and ask for a free inspection. Getting help from a foundation repair (Los Angeles) expert will save you time, money and potential damage from the next big quake.


Julian De La Torre, expert in Los Angeles foundation inspection, repair & house bolting (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/ ). 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

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/