Foundations And Soil Issues

by Shawn Kyles

Soil is made up of sand, silt and clay, along with organic materials. Soil types are determined by the mixture of these elements. For example, expansive soil, also called clay soil, has a higher concentration of clay particles than any other type of soil, while sandy soil has more sand particles. Sand particles are also large, while clay particles are extremely small. The clay particles also stick together, which prevents air from passing through the soil and causes any water that accumulates in the soil to drain more slowly.

A foundation built on expansive soil can have foundation problems more easily than those built on other types of soil. This is because when expansive (clay) soil becomes moist, it expands. The expansion lifts the foundation. The lifting can occur in different places, depending on building load (the weight that is carried by the structure) and the amount of moisture present. For example, expansive soil may push up the corners of a structure more than the center.

When the clay dries, the soil shrinks, leaving gaps in the soil.

Soil expansion can cause foundation cracks and put stress on a building’s structure. Soil contraction can also result in cracks, as well as foundation settlement.

Cracks in a foundation will allow more moisture to enter the structure, which can impact its stability.

Foundation settlement can prevent doors and windows from closing properly, cause sloping floors and other structural problems.

Homeowners in regions with distinct wet and dry seasons will usually experience more problems with expansive soil compared to places where soil conditions are consistent all year long. However, rain isn’t the only cause of soil expansion. Sprinklers and plumbing leaks can also affect soil moisture content.

Beginning in the 1950s, many homes were built with piers to prevent foundation damage caused by expansive soil. Over time it was discovered that if the piers weren’t placed deep enough, they could also be raised by expanding soil, sometimes to the point where the pier would fall.

Foundation damage from expansive soil can be minimized if the foundation is extended past the area where the soil’s water content fluctuates. Other solutions to the problem include drainage that directs water away from the structure, or making sure the foundation is strong enough to withstand any swelling and contraction. Grading the soil around the foundation can deter the problem as well.

Another soil issue that can lead to foundation damage is improper compaction. This usually occurs when the foundation is built. If the soil beneath and around the foundation wasn’t compacted properly, it can cause uneven settlement.

How do you know if you have soil issues or a foundation problem? Contact a foundation repair expert and ask for a foundation inspection. A foundation contractor will not only know where to look, but what to look for, when conducting the inspection. If there is a situation that needs to be addressed, a foundation repair specialist will be able to recommend the right foundation repair solution for your particular situation. Resolving problems quickly can reduce foundation repair costs and help prevent more severe damage that could require foundation replacement.

Severe California Droughts Will Cause Foundation Problems

Home Foundations Will Be Affected By Droughts as Soil Moisture Drops

LOS ANGELES, CA: Julian Construction, Inc., (http://julianconstruction.com/) a foundation repair specialist company in Southern California, recently issued a warning to homeowners that the 2014 California droughts will affect the foundations of many homes in California. The extreme droughts will affect the soil of many homes’ foundations.

Homeowners are advised to be on the watch for indications of foundation problems, and arrange a foundation inspection by a qualified inspector at the first sign of trouble.

Mark Cowin, director of the state Department of Water Resources, stated: “The time has come to protect drinking water and wisely divide the little water left in the state's reservoirs among cities, farms and nature. We're not in a developing crisis, this is a current crisis. Everyone will get less water this year."

Shawn Kyles, chief home inspector of Julian Construction, stated: “Unfortunately, California is currently experiencing one of the worst droughts on record. The situation is so severe, Governor Jerry Brown recently declared a drought emergency. The lack of rain will cause the moisture content in soil throughout the state to decrease. As the drought continues, homeowners may find themselves with new and unexpected foundation issues.”

Julian Construction strongly recommends that at the first sign of abnormality in a home’s foundation, the homeowner schedule a foundation inspection. For a list of common indications of foundation problems, read more at: http://julianconstruction.com/new-year-foundation-checklist/

Julian De La Torre, founder of Julian Construction, stated: “In these conditions we have to be even more careful than usual. We have never had such a long and dry drought, so we don’t fully know the effect it will have on the California soil, and thus what effect it will have on home foundations. We can only wait and see as the season passes.”

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/

Water Constitutes Single Greatest Threat To Home Foundation

Water Leaks and Drastic Changes in Soil Moisture a Threat to Home Foundations

LOS ANGELES, CA: Julian Construction, Inc., (http://julianconstruction.com/) a foundation repair and foundation construction company based in Los Angeles, is advising home owners to be extra careful of water leaks, seepages and other causes of water damage in a home which can affect a home’s foundation.

The company urges homeowners to schedule a foundation inspection by a qualified inspector at the first sign of danger, and to be on the watch for water in a home to prevent the foundation problems before they occur. The company released an article recently detailing a few of the factors to watch for that can be caused by water damage: http://julianconstruction.com/water-a-foundations-worst-enemy/

Shawn Kyles, Julian Construction’s chief building inspector, stated: “Water is a leading cause of foundation damage and one of its worst enemies. It can ruin your foundation through interior moisture build-up and pooling. The water can come from many sources, such as broken pipes, appliances and clogged sinks or toilets. It can also enter your home through cracks, or gaps in windows or doors. If downspouts aren’t kept clean, water can build up on the roof and drip down the walls and into the basement. Once inside your home, it can cause the wood in crawl spaces to decay. It can also create an environment where mold can grow, which may lead to wood rot. A wet crawl space, or even one that smells musty, should be inspected immediately by a qualified foundation repairs professional to determine if there are any foundation problems.”

Julian De La Torre, founder of Julian Construction, Inc., stated: “Our nearly 20 years of experience in the field as a foundation contractor has shown water to be the worst offender in damaging home foundations. More than any other threat to a foundation, water damage shows up again and again as the most common. There are so many ways for it to get into a home’s structure and some of them are not even widely known. We hope the information here helps make homeowners more aware of the danger from water damage on a home’s 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.com/blog/

Water: a Foundation’s Worst Enemy

By Shawn Kyles

Water is a leading cause of foundation damage and one of its worst enemies. It can ruin your foundation through interior moisture build-up and pooling.
The water can come from many sources, such as broken pipes, appliances and clogged sinks or toilets. It can also enter your home through cracks, or gaps in windows or doors. If downspouts aren’t kept clean, water can build up on the roof and drip down the walls and into the basement.

Once inside your home, it can cause the wood in crawl spaces to decay. It can also create an environment where mold can grow, which may lead to wood rot. A wet crawl space, or even one that smells musty, should be inspected immediately by a qualified foundation repairs professional to determine if there are any foundation problems.

Water can also cause soil to expand and contract. When there is too much moisture, the soil surrounding a foundation will swell. As the soil dries, it will begin to shrink and pull away from the foundation. This is especially true with soils that have a high concentration of clay.

As the soil expands, it presses against foundation walls, which can cause them to crack or begin to bow. When the moisture decreases, it leaves spaces. Your foundation will start to settle into these gaps. If the settlement is uneven, the foundation can become damaged.

Expansive soil problems are usually the result of poor drainage. If rainwater or water from a sprinkler system doesn’t drain away for your home, it will remain in the soil and cause it to expand.

Water can also build up in backfill soil – the soil that was used to cover the holes around your house after the foundation was built. Backfill soil is generally much looser than the more compacted soil the house was built on. Looser soil will absorb more water. The more water that is absorbed, the more the soil will expand.
Water can even wash away the soil that surrounds your house and foundation, which can result in sinking.
Some homes have also been built on soil with unusually high moisture content at the time of construction. This moisture will decrease over time, which can also lead to foundation settlement. If the settlement is extensive or uneven, it can damage both your home’s foundation and its structural integrity of your home.

There are many ways to prevent water-related foundation problems from occurring, including making sure any drainage pipes or systems slope away from the house. You can also request a foundation inspection from a foundation repair expert, who will look for signs of potential foundation damage or looming problems that could lead to expensive foundation repair cost down the road.

Unfortunately, California is currently experiencing the worst droughts on record. The situation is so severe, Governor Jerry Brown recently declared a drought emergency. The lack of rain will cause the moisture content in soil throughout the state to decrease. As the drought continues, homeowners may find themselves with new and unexpected foundation issues.

Julian Construction Helps Homeowners Plan Maintenance In 2014

Foundation Repair Company Helps Homeowners Work Out Their Home Maintenance Program

LOS ANGELES, CA: Julian Construction Inc., (http://julianconstruction.com/) a foundation construction and foundation repair company in Southern California, has begun a project of helping homeowners work out their foundation maintenance program for the year 2014. The company wishes to help homeowners properly keep up the maintenance of their home’s foundation and prevent safety risks to the building’s occupants. The company’s principles have decades of experience in the field, helping homeowners repair foundation problems.

Shawn Kyles, Julian Construction’s chief building inspector, recently stated: “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. Approximately 1 in 5 homeowners put off making needed repairs. Remember that waiting to fix problems often results in more significant damage and escalated costs. 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.”

The company provides free inspection of home properties’ foundations, and can be contacted at http://julianconstruction.com/contact/schedule-an-inspection/

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 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.