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

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