Foundation Repair Archives | Page 2 of 2 | FOUNDATIONS ON THE LEVEL

Choosing a Foundation Repair Contractor

Your home is probably your biggest investment, so you must hire a foundation contractor that will take care of your property.

The work must be done right to protect the safety of your family and the structural integrity of your home. Choosing the wrong foundation contractor can cost you money, stress, and heartache. Don’t select a foundation contractor based solely on price or that they’re the brother-in-law of your babysitter’s dentist.

Here are some tips to making sure you select a good foundation repair company, like FOUNDATIONS ON THE LEVEL.

Do They Offer a Warranty?

A warranty is more than a piece of paper you throw in a desk and forget about. If a company doesn’t offer a warranty, that is a big red flag that they may not do a good job nor care about your home.

If a contractor offers a warranty, they are backing up their work with their reputation and their money. FOUNDATIONS ON THE LEVEL offers a 25-year warranty, meaning that you won’t have to worry about the work that they perform to keep your house stable and safe.

No business wants to do a job twice, especially when the cost is going to come out of their pocket. The warranty reinforces the fact that the company will do the job right the first time.

Read the warranty (if they even offer one) and make sure it covers their work and isn’t just a worthless piece of paper. This is the time to make sure you do your due diligence to ensure everything is above the board.

How Long Have They Been in Business?

We know that everyone has to start somewhere, but do you want a rookie practicing on your home? Not only does a company that has been in business for a long time have more experience, but it also shows that it will probably be around long after the work is done.

A long-time company will be able to back their warranties in addition to having a reputation in the area. Some sketchy companies will do a bunch of work and skip town before the bad reviews can hit. They set up in another town and pull the same scam over again.

You can find out how long a company has been in business in California by running its license number through the California Department of Consumer Affairs’ Contractors State License Board portal. The CSLB results should be to let you know when the contractor received their license.

Check Client and Building Inspector Reviews

There are plenty of places that you can read reviews of businesses. Yelp, Angie’s List, HomeAdvisor, and BBB are just some that come to mind. You will be able to read about consumers’ interactions with contractors and find out if there are any recurring problems or praises.

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) can let you know about any complaints or if they have been reported for unethical business practices. See if there are any patterns, not everyone is going to be perfect, but you can quickly see if a contractor does a good job or not.

Another good source is not as easy to access, but it is worth the time to pursue. You can get reviews from building inspectors and they can tell you about which contractors are trustworthy, competent, and reliable.

What Are Their Payment Terms?

Make sure the contractor has clear payment terms. You don’t want amounts to change during the project. Another warning sign is if the contractor wants to be paid in full before the project is completed.

Go over the contract carefully to make sure you understand the payment schedule. The contractor has certain costs that they have to cover, but they shouldn’t need to be paid before the job is done.

Get everything in writing, a verbal agreement is worthless when it comes to a disagreement.

See Licenses, Affiliations, and Credentials

Never hire an unlicensed contractor. The license is just the minimum requirement for a contractor and if they can’t even accomplish that, imagine what kind of work they’ll do!

Most contractors’ employees should have gone through some professional training and be certified in their respective specialties. Affiliations are a good sign that a foundation repair company has experience in the skills and trades that are needed to be a good contractor.

Make Sure They Have the Required Permits

One way that some contractors can offer lower prices than others is to avoid obtaining the required permits. A permit means that a building inspector will need to stop by and make sure the project meets building codes.

If a contractor doesn’t get the necessary permits, that means they will avoid being inspected which also means that they can get away with using cheap materials and shoddy methods. You may save a few dollars upfront, but you are going to end up paying a lot in the end. The cost may be more than money if the repair fails and someone is injured.

How Does the Contractor Do Business?

This is a tip to keep in mind once you have narrowed your choices down to a few contractors. They have probably made your shortlist because they seem to be competent and experienced, but there are other things to keep in mind.

Some non-technical aspects that you should think about include:

Do they perform background checks on their employees?
Will they do their best to minimize damage to your lawn, home, and landscaping? What happens if something is damaged?
Are you expected to clean up after them at the end of the day or will they take care of their mess?
Will they be using your bathroom, or will the contractor have their own portable restroom?
How many vehicles will be at your property at any given time? Will they be causing problems for the neighbors?
Are their employees allowed to smoke or curse while on the job?
Who do you go to with concerns during the project?

Don’t Skimp on Foundation Repairs

These repairs are probably only second to medical procedures in importance. You wouldn’t just use a doctor or surgeon without talking with them and finding out what is going to be done and what to expect.

It’s important to weed out the shady contractors, but it’s just as important to find a foundation contractor you are comfortable with and trust. It’s a kind of relationship and it must work smoothly for everyone involved.

All of us at FOUNDATIONS ON THE LEVEL welcome your questions and will do our part to make sure you are comfortable with working with us. You can talk to us before, during, or after a project and be treated honestly and respectfully.

Contact us today to learn more about how FOUNDATIONS ON THE LEVEL will make sure your home is taken care of and made strong, stable, and safe once again.

Landslides and Foundation Problems

California has been no stranger to weird weather and other natural occurrences this last year. After wildfires have removed most of the plant life protecting the earth from erosion, record-breaking rainfalls have been taking place. Landslides and other disasters have occurred throughout the state.

This mixture of events can cause a lot of problems for roads and structures around the area. The slides can consist of rockfalls, mudflows, slope failures, and more and can happen anywhere there is a slope gradient, it doesn’t have to be steep, just enough for gravity and momentum to do their thing.

Extreme Damage Caused by Slides

Slides can be tremendous forces of nature, destroying roads, moving vehicles, and leveling buildings. The slide can also pick up trees, objects, and debris, causing damage and blocking waterways which can result in flooding. Mudflows in Southern California in 2018 caused an estimated $177 million in property damage, $7 million in emergency responses, and $43 million in clean up costs, in addition to causing 21 reported deaths and over 150 people being hospitalized.

Landslides and Your Home

Your home may be strong and the foundation stable, but if a landslide were to occur, your house may be in danger. FOUNDATIONS ON THE LEVEL can help protect your home and repair any damage that may occur from a landslide or mudflow.

Foundation Repair

Any type of movement of the earth around your home can damage the foundation. A settling or sunken foundation can lead to structural damage throughout the house. The landslide can remove support from one side of your home or exert great pressure on another side.

You may notice cracks, bowing walls, and other signs of foundation problems after a slide. Don’t waste any time having it inspected. The stability of your entire home depends on having a strong foundation. Make sure that a reliable foundation contractor examines your property and you follow through with any suggestions that they may make.

Slab Leveling

Not every landslide causes foundation problems, sometimes it may just disturb your concrete slabs. Your driveway, sidewalk, or patio can be pushed out of place or sink.

An uneven slab is not only ugly, but it can be a tripping hazard or not allow water to drain correctly. Water may flow towards your home or cause the soil under the slab to erode, leading to more problems.

FOUNDATIONS ON THE LEVEL can make sure that your slab is level and safe through the application of polyurethane foam. The foam will expand, raising the slab to the desired level and sealing the bottom from any water infiltration. Protect your home and guests from an uneven slab.

Crack Repair

If the earth around your home moves, you may notice cracks in floors, walls, and ceilings. There are two kinds of cracks: structural and settlement cracks. You can look for cracks and monitor if they are growing. If you are at all concerned about a crack, you must contact a reputable foundation contractor like FOUNDATIONS ON THE LEVEL.

One of the problems with cracks is that, if you aren’t knowledgeable about their cause or what they can do, you have no idea if it is something cosmetic or a sign of future foundation collapse. However, even if a crack isn’t a structural issue, it can allow water and pests to enter your home. You must have the cracks taken care of.

Retaining Wall Repair

Your retaining wall has one job: to keep the earth on the other side of the wall in place. If a landslide occurs, it can cause the retaining wall to lean or bow, or in a worst-case scenario, to even fail.

FOUNDATIONS ON THE LEVEL can keep your retaining wall strong and stable. Through the use of helical tiebacks, a leaning retaining wall can be pulled back and be stronger than ever.

A retaining wall protects your property, so make sure that you take care of it!

Foundations on the Level and Slides

There is only so much you can do to try and tame Mother Nature, sometimes she will just do what she wants. Let FOUNDATIONS ON THE LEVEL help you keep your property safe before or after a landslide.

Do Not Sit On Foundation Repairs

If you’re like most people, you prioritize your home repairs by severity, price, and other factors. A leaking pipe may take priority over a crack in the wall. While one does constitute an emergency, the crack is no less a danger to your home’s stability.

All homes do settle over time and cracks may happen. You may take a “wait and see” approach to cracks in the foundation, but this isn’t a problem you want to wait on.

Why Shouldn’t You Wait for Foundation Repairs?

Your foundation is easily the most important part of your home. It keeps your building stable and safe and should be kept strong. It probably doesn’t seem like a little crack could cause much trouble, but you might be surprised. The foundation is probably not going to completely fail from one or two cracks, but the damage can begin and accelerate quickly. Cracks can allow water in, damaging your home and further weakening your foundation walls.

Problems Can Compound

As we said earlier, homes settle all the time, however, if you have some damage already, this motion can cause more problems. As the temperatures of the seasons change, the house will usually sink in the summer and rise in the winter. Foundations can crack more and plumbing can break or leak.

Other things that can happen to a home with a weakened foundation includes sticking doors and windows, sloping floors, cracks in other portions of the home, and more. All of these problems can cause issues and dangers around the home.

More Time, More Damage, More Money

The longer you wait to fix a foundation problem the more time it will take, the more damage it can cause, and the more money it will cost to repair. No one wants to spend money on home repairs, but if you wait to repair the foundation it will cost more in labor and material costs, in addition to there probably being a bigger problem to remedy.

If you are looking to sell your home or do major home improvements, you will want to get foundation repairs done ASAP. Repairs will become more complicated and costly, as time goes on.

It is a good idea to at least have a foundation repair expert (like FOUNDATIONS ON THE LEVEL) to inspect your property and give you a free estimate.

FOUNDATIONS ON THE LEVEL is here to help you with all of your foundation repair needs. We want you to have a strong and stable home. Contact us today to learn more about all the services we offer.

Most Common Foundation Issues in Southern California

People in Southern California deal with a very specific set of foundation problems. Because most people have slab foundations, foundation repair and foundation raising in Southern California is different than in other states and other parts of the state. Learn what the common foundation issues are in Southern California as well as how to identify a foundation problem. Once you know you have a problem, you should call an expert at FOUNDATIONS ON THE LEVEL.

Common Foundation Issues and How to Repair Them

Bowing Walls & Wall Cracks

Wall cracks are among the most common foundation problems in Southern California

Look for bowing and buckling of walls. Walls that are bowing and leaning often have cracks as well. This issue is caused by unstable foundations and is typically repaired by pier installation. Sometimes helical tiebacks can be used to repair retaining walls and other walls in SoCal properties.

Foundation Settlement

If you see visible signs that your foundation is sinking or settling, it could indicate major foundation failure. Underpinning with steel push piers or helical piers can help lift and stabilize settled foundations in Southern California.

Floor Cracks & Uneven Floors

floor cracks are often caused by foundation issues

Cracks in the floor of a home or separating between walls and floors can mean that the foundation has settled unevenly. This also causes floors to slope. Sagging and bounciness in floors may accompany cracks. This problem usually requires underpinning with piers or polyurethane injection.

Ceiling Cracks

Cracks in your ceiling can also indicate foundation failure. These cracks come in a variety of shapes – spiderweb cracks, angled cracks, and horizontal or vertical cracks. Larger cracks that extend down the wall or occur near doors and windows are usually more serious. Underpinning or slab lifting with polyurethane helps fix this issue.

Sticking Doors & Windows

sticking windows and doors Southern California

If your doors and windows are sticking closed or not closing properly, it may be the sign of movement in your foundation or even foundation failure. If you find this in conjunction with other issues, call an expert right away. Foundation repair and foundation raising can help fix the underlying issues causing this problem.

Foundation Cracks

Here in California, we’re more prone to cracking and settling foundations due to our climate and soil conditions. Foundation settlement and upheaval, which is the opposite of settlement, are both very common in Southern California. Cracks can also lead to foundation leakage. Get these cracks fixed right away with underpinning or professional crack injection repair.

We utilize foundation underpinning and polyurethane injection for slab leveling to fix all of these issues for SoCal homeowners. Contact FOUNDATIONS ON THE LEVEL for foundation repair solutions in Southern California.

How Hot, Dry Weather Affects Your Foundation

Sunburns and heat exhaustion are not the only dangers of hot, dry weather. The recent and frequent hot, dry weather in California may have more of an impact on your home than you are aware of.

Dry weather can cause a variety of problems for the foundation of your home or business.

Water Evaporation from Concrete

If you have a new slab or concrete foundation, it may still be susceptible to water evaporation. As the heat rises, it will cause water to evaporate out of the concrete. This evaporation can cause the concrete to crack, making it unstable and letting water inside the cracks.

Soil Shrinkage

As the temperatures get warmer and if dry conditions persist, the soil around your home will dry out. The drier the soil gets, the more it will shrink. When this happens, the soil starts to compact or form spaces and voids. The foundation is no longer properly supported with these spaces and cracks in the ground underneath it, so it will start to sink and shift. Settlement and shifting lead to a host of other issues, including foundation cracks and leaks, wall cracks, and sticking windows and doors.

Soil Erosion

Once a decently heavy rain finally does fall on soil that has been dried out for a while, water will rush through the cracks and spaces, causing the loose, dry soil to wash away. This can create further voids under the home or slab, making for more severe foundation settlement. On the other hand, if the rain continues long enough, water can fill the voids, saturate the ground, and lead to an increase in hydrostatic pressure that pushes on the concrete. This pressure will cause heaving and crack formation.

Dry Weather Solutions

No matter what sort of issue occurs due to the hot, dry summer weather, FOUNDATIONS ON THE LEVEL has a solution. We offer piering solutions to lift and level sinking concrete foundations. We also offer polymer foam injections to lift concrete slabs and crack repair solutions for the results of hot weather foundation damage.

Call us today to learn more!

Best Foundation Leveling Solutions for Southern California

Due to the prevalence of slab foundations in California, foundation sinking and settlement are common issues and thus so is the need for foundation leveling.

These issues occur when the soil under the concrete foundation shifts, allowing voids to form in the soil. The voids do not offer adequate support for the foundation, and it settles unevenly as a result.

Soil shifts due to earthquakes, erosion, or soil shrinkage can also cause concrete foundations to sink or settle. However, Foundations on the Level can fix these issues. Read on to learn more about the best foundation leveling options for California homes and find out how we can help.

What is Foundation Leveling? How Is It Different Than Foundation Repair?

Foundation Leveling is a type of foundation repair. Basically all foundation leveling is foundation repair, but not all foundation repair is foundation leveling.

If you have a foundation wall that is bowing, fixing it is a type of foundation repair. Similarly, if you have a crawl space foundation and water damage is causing a beam to rot, replacing it is not foundation leveling.

What foundation leveling does do is fix settlement issues.

What is Foundation Settlement?

Basically foundation settlement is when your foundation begins to sink into the soil. Almost all homes experience some type of settlement. Small amounts, especially small amounts that are relatively uniform, can cause minor cracking but generally not serious structural problems.

If you experience larger amounts of settlement, however, especially differential settlement, that becomes a larger issue.

Why is Foundation Leveling Important?

When your home begins to settle unevenly, the symptoms might seem like minor annoyances: your doors and windows begin to stick, you notice cracks beginning to form in walls, your chimney begins to lean.

You can fix or ignore the symptoms, but over time, they are likely only going to get worse and could graduate from minor annoyances to major structural problems for your home.

This is because differential settlement places stress upon many different portions of your house. Your home’s foundation was built to properly support it when level. When that isn’t the case, the home can, basically, slip out of alignment. This places stress on everything from the foundation itself to walls to ceilings to window openings and doors frames.

The longer you ignore the problems, the more serious they are likely to get. And with that, the cost of repairs will likely go up as well.

If you live in San Diego County or Orange County and are experiencing the symptoms of foundation problems, contact us for a free estimate or more information on which of our foundation leveling solutions might be right for you.

How Do You Level A Foundation?

As with many things in life, there is no one right way to level foundations. That’s why working with an experienced foundation repair contractor like Foundations on the Level is a must. It is important to get the right solution that matches your home, the amount of settlement, and the underlying soil conditions.

Just make sure your contractor is using a method that is strong enough to support your foundation and goes deep enough into the soil to prevent the problem from happening all over again. No one wants to go through foundation repair once, but you really don’t want to have to go through it twice.

Here are a few of the ways in which we level foundations:

RESISTANCE PIER INSTALLATION

Resistance piers, also known as push piers, are commonly used to fix settling foundations.

We drive the piers into the soil under the concrete foundation until they are sitting on bedrock or a load-bearing stratum of soil, allowing the piers to provide greater support than the soil immediately under your home.

We then hydraulically lift the building to raise the foundation back to its original level. Brackets on the piers are attached to the building, transferring the load onto the piers.

We use steel resistance piers from ECP (Earth Contact Product), one of the top manufacturers in the country. They offer both concentric piers, which are installed directly beneath the footing or load, and eccentric piers, which are installed to the side of the structural load.

Give us a call to see if ECP steel resistance piers are the right choice for your foundation raising needs.

HELICAL PIER INSTALLATION

Helical pier installation is another type of underpinning that can help raise and stabilize sinking foundations in California homes and businesses.

These piers work much like resistance piers but have helical plates on them, giving them the resemblance of a giant screw (they are also sometimes called screw piers). This shape allows us to screw them into the ground instead of merely driven in.

It also allows us to use the torque measurements taken while “screwing” the piers into the ground to determine when the piers have reached sufficient depth to support the building.

ECP helical piers are a great choice to resist both tension and compressive force. They are commonly used in utility and civil construction projects, but can also be used in residential projects. A major benefit of these piers is that we can install them with minimal disturbance to your yard and property.

POLYURETHANE INJECTION FOAM

If you have a concrete slab foundation, polyurethane foam slab leveling may also be an option.

This option is most commonly used on a variety of types of concrete slabs: garage floors, driveways, sidewalks, and patios.

For this solution, we utilize Accella Polyurethane Systems. Accella offers a low-density, water-blown spray foam. We inject it underground through small holes drilled in the slab.

The foam expands after injection, simultaneously raising the slab above while also compressing the surrounding soil. This solution returns the slab to normal in no time and stabilizes the soil around the slab, preventing future settlement.

Choose Foundations on the Level to Level Your Foundation

We proudly offer both underpinning and polyurethane foam injection to raise and level concrete slabs and concrete foundations in California. Contact Foundations on the Level today to find the right foundation raising solution for you.

Crack Repair in Orange County

Cracks can be ugly, yet harmless, but they can also be small and a sign of a major problem. Homes and businesses in Orange County can have cracks, regardless of whether it’s an older structure or new construction. There are a lot of variables that can cause cracks throughout your building.

You should take notice of any new or growing cracks you may find. FOUNDATIONS ON THE LEVEL has the skills and tools to take care of any cracks in your home or office.

Causes of Foundation Cracks

Most foundation cracks are the result of structural issues like severe settlement and shifting. Soil can be impacted by moisture levels. Too much water and the soil can heave and swell, too little water and the soil can shrink. This can put tremendous pressure on your foundation walls and slabs. If the moisture levels change drastically, the effect can be like bending a piece of metal back and forth. Eventually, it will crack and break.

Repair Solutions in Orange County

Foundation Crack Repair

Our primary solution for foundation cracks is to install ECP (Earth Contact Products) steel piers to lift and stabilize foundations. These piers are installed under foundations, driven into the ground until they reach stable soils that can withstand the weight of the structure. They can then be utilized to raise and support the foundation for crack repair to prevent further issues from arising.

Slab Crack Repair

If the crack is in a slab, we can help with that, too. If you see cracks in any concrete slabs–your patio, pool deck, porch, or driveway–on your Orange County property, we can fix these with our slab leveling service. For this repair option, we utilize Accella Polyurethane Systems to inject polyurethane foam under sinking, cracked slabs. This foam expands under the concrete to raise and stabilize the slab and to close cracks in the slab.

Cracks You Might See in Your Orange County Home

If you live in Orange County, there are several different kinds of cracks that you should watch out for in your home. The warm dry weather throughout the year in Southern California can dry out the soil under your foundation, causing voids to form underground. If these voids form under your foundation or slab, they will not give the concrete enough support, leading to uneven settlement and shifting. These issues can cause major structural failure and should not be ignored.

Cracks can occur both externally and internally and could be signs of much more serious issues. Examine your home for the following kinds of cracks and contact FOUNDATIONS ON THE LEVEL to find the best repair solution.

Foundation Cracks

If you see cracks in your foundation, it could mean that your foundation has started to settle or that it has become structurally unsound. Horizontal cracks visible on the exterior foundation are typically more serious than vertical or diagonal cracks, although you should have all large cracks, over 1/32″ in width, examined by a professional, especially if additional problems (uneven floors, sticking doors, leaks) accompany the cracks.

Slab Cracks

Aside from your foundation, you might see cracks in other concrete slabs, such as your driveway, patio, pool deck, porch, stair stoop, or garage floor. Larger cracks, usually accompanied by heaving or sinking slabs, might indicate slab sinking due to erosion or soil shrinkage. Contact an expert at FOUNDATIONS ON THE LEVEL to get these cracks fixed as soon as possible to reduce tripping hazards and keep your family safe.

Wall Cracks

Cracks in your interior walls might be a sign of foundation failure. If you only see hairline cracks or if they are in the same direction that the drywall was hung, they are probably not a major issue. However, horizontal cracks, wide cracks, vertical cracks or diagonal cracks that span from the wall to the floor or ceiling may indicate foundation settlement or shifting. You should have these cracks looked at by a professional as soon as possible.

Floor Cracks

If you’ve noticed cracks in your concrete floor, you might be dealing with foundation problems. Floor cracks that are wide and are allowing water to enter are usually signs of foundation settlement or shifting. Also, look for cracks in areas of the floor that appear to be heaving or sinking. This is a sign that the foundation is no longer structurally sound and needs to be looked at right away.

Ceiling Cracks

Examine the shape and size of your ceiling cracks to determine if you have a foundation problem. Small, spider web-shaped cracks 1/16th of an inch or smaller are probably just signs of normal home aging. However, vertical cracks that run from the ceiling to the walls and cracks accompanied by bowing or sagging ceilings might indicate foundation damage.

If you see any of these issues in your Orange County home, contact us right away for professional crack repair.