How To Strengthen Your Home’s Foundation

By Shawn Kyles

There can be many reasons why your home’s foundation may need to be strengthened, including:

* The foundation has shifted or moved due to earthquakes
* Soil has eroded beneath or around the foundation, causing cracks, sloping or sinking
* You want to add a second story to the existing structure, which will exceed the amount of weight the building and foundation can support
* The foundation has decayed over time
* There has been a change in how the structure is being used
* The soil was poorly compacted when the home was built
* Weak and poor quality materials were used when the home was built
* A basement has been added to the structure
* A new building has been constructed near the home with a deeper foundation
* The foundation has settled due to poor soil conditions or a lowered water table

In Los Angeles, homes that were constructed before 1940 were not bolted to their foundations. During an earthquake, these structures can be easily shaken off their foundation. Many homes that were built after 1940 used weak materials on cripple walls. A cripple wall is the wall that surrounds the crawl space under a house and connects the home to the foundation.

If you live in an older home, bolting the house to your foundation is critical for earthquake preparedness. The bolts should be placed every 4 to 6 feet and more than one foot away from every joint. For homes that are built on a hill, make sure you also bolt the wood that is “stepping down” on the grade.

Underpinning can also increase the strength and stability of your foundation. The process involves either extending the foundation in depth or breadth so it rests on stronger soil or distributes its load across a broader area.

Using concrete foundation repair is one of the primary methods used for underpinning. Sections beneath or around the home are excavated and then filled by the concrete. The concrete is usually mixed with aggregates. Once the concrete is poured, it will typically take 2 days to set.

Other ways of underpinning involves the use of screw piles, brackets and beams. Sometimes the soil can be strengthened by adding grout.

The strength of cripple walls can be increased with plywood. How do you know if your cripple wall needs strengthening? If the exterior of your cripple wall is made of wood siding or stucco, it will need to be strengthened with plywood. The plywood should be nailed to the walls on every side of the house.

In addition to stabilizing a home and preventing future damage, strengthening a foundation will make the structure much safer to live in, as well as easier to insure and sell.

When a home is showing any signs of foundation settlement or damage, seek a local foundation inspection (Los Angeles area for example) from a licensed foundation repair Los Angeles professional. A local foundation expert can tell you what is causing the problem and how it should be corrected. This may include strengthening your home’s foundation to prevent any further damage and reduce the chances of your home sliding off the foundation or collapsing during an earthquake or even house leveling (Los Angeles).

Construction Expert Says Prepare for Next Big Quake

California Residents Should Be Ready for the Next Major Earthquake Says Expert

LOS ANGELES, CA: Julian Construction, (http://julianconstruction.com/) a construction and foundation construction and repair company in Southern California, recently announced to the public that they need to be better prepared for the next big earthquake in California. Shawn Kyles, Julian Construction’s structural inspection expert, is warning the general public that the next 6.7 or greater earthquake may hit California at any point in the next 30 years.

Homeowners are urged to take preparatory action against the coming quake.
Mr. Kyles stated: “If you are a Southern California homeowner, there are many things you can do for earthquake preparedness before the next big quake. Start by making sure furniture and other moveable items are properly secured. Stock up on supplies that may be needed following a quake and organize a disaster plan. You’ll also want to gather and keep important documents in a safe space.

You will also want to make sure your home is in good repair and structurally sound. Start by contacting a foundation repair expert and requesting an inspection. A foundation professional will know where to look for damage and potential weaknesses that could put you and your family in danger during an earthquake.”

Mr. Kyles article on the subject contains further tips on earthquake preparedness, which can be seen here: http://julianconstruction.com/get-ready-for-the-next-big-quake/

Julian De La Torre, founder and owner of Julian Construction, stated: “We definitely urge everyone to be ready for the next big earthquake. It is important you check on the general repairs of your home and you have the foundation inspected by a qualified expert. The foundation of a home can make the difference between structural collapse or remaining standing during an earthquake. These things are not a fun prospect to look at, and we do not know when and where to expect it. But we do know that we should be ready for it.”

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/ You can see a video about Julian Construction at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6I8j7dXzpj4&

Foundation Inspection Key in All Construction and Repair Projects

Construction Expert Advises on Role of Inspection in All Major Home Improvement

LOS ANGELES, CA: Julian Construction, (http://julianconstruction.com/) a foundation repair and general construction company, is advising the public at large on the use of inspection in major home improvement projects. The company spoke on the necessity of arranging and performing a competent and professional inspection with a qualified specialist, both before undertaking work on a home as well as for home maintenance as an ordinary check on a home. Projects ranging from retaining wall construction, foundation retrofitting and foundation repair would all require an inspection, according to the company.

Shawn Kyles, Julian Construction’s resident inspection specialist, released an article on the subject. He stated: “A home foundation inspection by a qualified expert is not only an important part of foundation maintenance, it can prevent the need for expensive repairs or foundation replacement. You’ll also get peace of mind knowing that your foundation is in good shape. When you request an inspection, both the outside and inside of your home will be checked for evidence of foundation problems.”

Julian De La Torre, founder and owner of Julian Construction, stated: “The inspection is such an important part of the process. It ensures home safety is kept up by disclosing early the problems a homeowner may have before they become big. We’ve had a number of clients who were able to make small repairs which would later have developed into large and costly projects. At the same time, in our 20 years of business we have seen plenty of bad situations which could have been caught earlier.”

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/ You can see a video about Julian Construction at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6I8j7dXzpj4&

Foundation Company Reminds Homeowners to Prepare for Earthquakes Like Recent Napa Valley Quake

Napa Earthquake a Grim Reminder To Public of Earthquake Property Damage

LOS ANGELES, CA: Julian Construction, Inc., (http://julianconstruction.com/) a foundation repair company based in Los Angeles, is reminding residents and business owners to repair and reinforce their foundations for earthquake preparedness and safety, in light of the recent 6.0 earthquake which hit Napa Valley. The event is bringing the realities of earthquake damage back to the general public, from business property damage to homes.

On August 24th, at 3:20 AM, a 6.0 earthquake hit the Napa Valley. The quake has been dubbed the “South Napa Earthquake” by the USGS (United States Geological Society). Centered near the West Napa Fault, the earthquake caused considerable damage in the local area. Efforts are underway to help restore the damaged businesses and homes in the area. Julian Construction is seeking to raise public awareness on earthquake preparedness, strengthening foundations so that homes foundations can better stand up to the California earthquakes. Earthquake preparedness, says the company, ensures the safety of all a building’s occupants.

Julian De La Torre, founder and owner of Julian Construction, stated: “These events are tragic. But what we strive to do is help people become better prepared for them. When you use earthquake retrofitting to reinforce the foundation of a building, it helps the structure stand up better to the earthquake and prevents collapse during and after the quake. If we all prepare for this than we can rest safer.”

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/. You can see a video about Julian Construction at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6I8j7dXzpj4&

Julian Construction Educates Public on Foundation Earthquake Retrofitting

Foundation Company Speaks Out on Earthquake Preparedness to General Public

LOS ANGELES, CA: Julian Construction, Inc., (http://julianconstruction.com/) a foundation construction and foundation repair company in Southern California, has been working to educate the public on earthquake preparedness. The company has been working in the field of public safety and repair for over 20 years.

Shawn Kyles, chief building safety inspector at Julian Construction, stated: “Thirty years ago California adopted a law to encourage earthquake retrofitting of old buildings. However, thousands of buildings have still not been upgraded. Has your home been retrofitted for an earthquake? Seismic activity occurs on a daily basis in California. Within the past 8 months, there have been four moderate to large quakes ranging in magnitude from 4.4 to 6.8., two of which occurred in Southern California. Earthquake retrofitting increases a structure’s ability to withstand seismic activity, including ground motion and ground failure.”

Julian De La Torre, founder and owner of Julian Construction, stated: “The reason we are working on this campaign is to bring about more home safety. We want everyone to be secure and safe in their homes and know that their home’s structure will remain stable. The way we do this is by helping people find the home’s foundation problems and find out what needs to be done to repair them. We’ve been working on this and will continue to do so to raise public safety.”

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/ You can see a video about Julian Construction at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6I8j7dXzpj4&

The Napa Earthquake – Another Warning

By Shawn Kyles

The recent earthquake in Napa, California is a reminder that seismic activity can occur at any time and cause considerable damage. The magnitude-6 quake hit at 3:20 a.m. on a Sunday morning. Damage is currently estimated at $1 billion – a harsh economic hit for an area with a population estimated at less than 150,000. Some predict that figure will increase to as much as $4 billion.

Approximately 50 buildings were red-tagged, and 100 building were yellow-tagged due to quake damage. It was the biggest quake to strike the Bay Area since the 6.9 Loma Prieta quake in 1989. The Loma Prieta earthquake was responsible for the deaths of 63 people and over 3,700 injuries.

Many of the structures damaged in Napa were masonry buildings. Thirty years ago California adopted a law to encourage earthquake retrofitting of old buildings. However, thousands of buildings have still not been upgraded.

Has your home been retrofitted for an earthquake?

Seismic activity occurs only a daily basis in California. Within the past 8 months, there have been four moderate to large quakes ranging in magnitude from 4.4 to 6.8., two of which occurred in Southern California.

Earthquake retrofitting increases a structure’s ability to withstand seismic activity, including ground motion and ground failure.

During a quake, ground motion is caused by the release of energy that occurs when the rocks on a fault move or “slip.” The motion is measured based on the duration of the quake, frequency of the shaking, ground motion velocity and acceleration. Ground motion from an earthquake will usually have little impact on you when you are outdoors in an open area. Homes and other structures however, can be severely damaged by ground motion.

Ground motion is considered strong when it occurs 30 miles from the fault.

Ground failure (also called soil failure) occurs when the soil a structure is built on is weak. Sandy and silt soil are weak soils that can start to sink during a quake. Liquification is a type of sinking that typically occurs when ground water is less than 30 feet from the surface. The seismic waves simply force the sand grains apart, causing the ground to become semi-solid.

There are several factors that determine whether or not liquification will occur during a quake, including the strength and location of the quake, where the water table is located and the grain size of the soil.

Not only can soil cause foundation sinking, it can also escalate the severity of the seismic wave.

Some of the ways homes are retrofitted include foundation bolting, bracing and adding brackets. The purpose of the retrofitting is to minimize damage from a quake and make the building safer for occupants. A cripple wall is the wall between the floor and foundation. It can be only a few inches in height or several feet tall. When a cripple wall collapses during a quake, the floor drops to the ground.

Bolting involves reinforcing the connection between wooden frames and concrete foundations. The bolts go through the wood and are attached to the foundation’s surface.

Homes that haven’t been retrofitted can slide off their foundation and overturn. Cripple walls can also buckle and collapse, at the least creating the need for expensive foundation repair.

To find out if your home is ready for the next big quake, contact a foundation specialist. Experienced foundation contractors can inspect your home and create a retrofitting plan to make your house safer. Earthquake preparedness can save you your home.

Slab Repair Projects Range from DIY to Major Repairs

Construction Company Says Slab Repair Can be DIY or Need Professional Attention

LOS ANGELES, CA: Julian Construction Inc., (http://julianconstruction.com/) a foundation repair and foundation construction company, are warning homeowners to get a foundation inspection before beginning on slab repairs. According to the company, an inspection of the foundation can determine the extent of the foundation problem and whether it is a DIY project or if the foundation is in need of professional attention.

An executive at the company stated: “Some cracks in the slab can be repaired in a very simple manner and do not require a foundation expert. But in the situation where experience is needed, Julian Construction can check the condition and help put your slab footing back in order. The following are some symptoms to look for in determining if you have a broken slab: Stretched or buckled linoleum flooring, Unlevel floors, Broken floor tiles, Bumps in carpet, Cracks around windows and door frames, Sloping floors, Domed floors in center of room, Sticky doors or windows that are difficult to open and close.”

Julian De La Torre, owner and founder of Julian Construction, stated: “We cannot stress enough the importance of getting an inspection before starting a project to repair a broken or cracked slab. It could be as simple as getting the supplies and repairing it. But if the damage is bad enough, the project will not help and the work will have to be redone. A professional inspection will tell you exactly what you’re looking at and how to fix it. That way your home’s foundation remains structurally sound.”

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/