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Unlike homes with basements or crawl spaces, a slab floor is solid concrete with no structural wood flooring system. For homes with this type of floor, soft soil or bad compaction is almost always the culprit. Once the soil is compromised, the slab will shift, and this creates the sagging or sinking effect. Pressure from that shift will sometimes crack the slab itself, causing high and low places in the flooring. To fix this type of damage, you need concrete slab repairs.
Water is a probable suspect, as it seeps into the ground around your foundation. The sill plate, wood beams, and floor joists are all vulnerable to this; these wooden components on top of your foundation are the wood framing system that supports your floor. Because it has direct contact with the concrete and can be over the exposed soil line, it often falls victim to water intrusion. Once water intrudes and saturates the wood, this leads to deterioration. It’s this deterioration that causes the floor system to fail.
But you don’t have to have standing water under your house to cause structural decay. High humidity can also damage the beams and joists that hold up your subfloor. Wood is highly porous and readily absorbs water from the air. Over time, this water saturation softens and rots the boards. As they decay, they compress under the weight of your home, lowering your floor sometimes by several inches.
Lack of building codes- or outdated ones- are another concern. A main support beam, the post that spans the length of your home, should be sized proportionately and supported every few feet. In many homes, the beams may not be the correct size or the support posts are installed too far apart. This over-spanning puts greater stress on the beam and makes it more likely to sag and potentially even fail.
Along the same lines, if your home is more than 50 years old, it’s also possible that inadequate materials are to blame. When a home is built, sometimes the beams or joists are not the correct dimensions. When this happens, a contractor will install a shim; a shim is a thin piece that adds a minimal lift to ‘even out’ the installation. Many times in construction, that shim was usually another piece of wood; at Acculevel we use steel shims to prevent compression or rot. These shims also allow us to increase the overall surface of the bearing load, so that the beam it’s supporting is not crushed by the weight of your home.
Technology is another age-related factor. New solutions and materials are always in development, but they take time to become commonplace. Before the 1970s, pretreated or pressure-treated lumber was not widely available or regularly used by builders. Lumber installed in its original ‘raw’ form is more vulnerable to insects and water damage.
New trends in home design can have a negative effect if a remodel doesn’t take the weight of the raw materials into account. Many older homes aren’t built to carry the load of solid granite countertops or stone-tiled floors and walls. Recreational items like a pool table or hot tub will also add significant weight to your floor system. These are all items that can put additional stress onto an already failing wood structure.
Contact Acculevel! We provide free estimates on sagging floor repairs.
Completed a foundation reinforcement project at a local school in zip code 61701, addressing critical structural issues. The flooring was buckling due to underlying support problems, so we dug deep to stabilize the foundation effectively. The work involved concrete patching around the building's perimeter to ensure a solid footing and enhance longevity. This essential repair was conducted for approximately $52,000, ensuring the school's safety and usability.
Near Bloomington, IL
In the 61704 zip code, we addressed significant basement water pooling issues in Charles's rental property. Our team implemented effective waterproofing solutions to prevent water from saturating the carpet after heavy rains. This service, valued at around $7,200, ensures a dry environment, enhancing the property's potential for sale.
Near Bloomington, IL
Addressed water intrusion issues for Sally in Bloomington, focusing on the basement window area where no visible cracks were found. Our team implemented effective waterproofing measures and ensured better drainage. This solution cost approximately $7,700, providing a dry and secure basement environment.
Near Bloomington, IL
Recently tackled a waterproofing and leveling job for Andrew in zip code 61701. The brick basement walls were leaking, and the main level floors required leveling for new flooring installation. This comprehensive service provided stability and prepared the home for further renovations, at an estimated cost of about $5,900.
Near Bloomington, IL
We recently completed a waterproofing project for Todd in zip code 61701. His basement frequently flooded during rainstorms due to a lack of drainage. Our team installed a comprehensive waterproofing system to tackle this issue and prevent future flooding. The project, priced at around $10,600, ensures that Todd's basement remains dry and protected against water damage.
Near Bloomington, IL
Completed a slabjacking project for Kevin in zip code 61704 to address significant cracking and water pooling issues. This job involved lifting and leveling the driveway to prevent water from seeping through the walls, ensuring a stable and dry environment. The approximate cost of the project was $4,600.
Near Bloomington, IL
Completed a structural repair in an unfinished basement for Dawn in zip code 61704. The job focused on addressing visible cracks in the walls to ensure integrity and prevent future issues. This important reinforcement work was priced at roughly $12,600.
Near Bloomington, IL
We completed a waterproofing project in zip code 61701 for William. Our work focused on preventing water intrusion around the basement and enhancing the drainage system outside. The job involved installing comprehensive solutions to ensure long-term protection, all completed for an approximate cost of $3,000.
Near Bloomington, IL
Addressed a structural issue by installing adjustable steel columns to level the floor and provide necessary support. This project for Zachary in zip code 61701 ensures stability and resolves previous unevenness, enhancing the overall integrity of the structure. The approximate cost for this repair is $8,200.
Near Bloomington, IL
