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What issue are you experiencing?
Cracks, water intrusion, crawl space moisture, settlement, etc.
Cracks, water intrusion, crawl space moisture, settlement, etc.
We Treat Your Home Like Our Own
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Lack of building codes- or outdated ones- are another concern.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.
Visited Lauryn’s property to assess her crawl space for encapsulation options. We're considering a full encapsulation to safeguard against potential moisture issues, while also exploring alternatives like installing a vapor barrier and dehumidifier. Currently, there are no active water problems. This project in the 61821 area is estimated to be around $10,000.
Near Champaign, IL
Recently completed a crawl space encapsulation project to address a deteriorated liner. The updated encapsulation system is designed to improve moisture control and prevent future issues in the crawl space. This project was aimed at enhancing the home's overall environment in the 61821 area, with an estimated cost of around $12,000.
Near Champaign, IL
Completed a job involving slabjacking to address uneven concrete surfaces near the pool house. Implemented French drains to tackle water pooling issues against the foundation, ensuring effective drainage. With an approximate cost of $2,200, this project enhances structural stability and prevents future water damage in Patti’s property at zip code 61821.
Near Champaign, IL
Completed a slabjacking project to address uneven surfaces on Gery's driveway and patio. Ensuring a level and safe walking area involved adjusting the concrete sections to align correctly. This job, scheduled for one morning, tackled the issues effectively for a cost of approximately $3,000 in the 61822 area.
Near Champaign, IL
Addressed a significant structural issue where the right-hand corner of the house was sinking. Our team implemented a foundation stabilization solution to prevent further damage and ensure long-term support. This essential repair, completed for roughly $21,460, helps maintain the structural integrity of the home.
Near Champaign, IL
Estimated a slabjacking job to address the separation between the concrete driveway and garage. The concrete sections require realignment to ensure safety and aesthetics are maintained. The project aims to stabilize the area effectively with a repair cost of approximately $3,395 in the 61822 zip code for customer Raina.
Near Champaign, IL
Our team executed a comprehensive waterproofing system in Deb's crawl space located in zip code 61822. The project involved installing a moisture control solution to prevent future water issues and ensure a dry and secure environment. Approximately priced at $21,400, this solution enhances the stability and longevity of the home.
Near Champaign, IL
Completed a thorough crawl space encapsulation for Katie in the 61822 area. The project involved inspecting and upgrading the existing vapor barrier and replacing it to eliminate the persistent moisture issue beneath. Additionally, a high-efficiency sump pump was assessed to ensure optimal operation, with plans to replace it if necessary. The approximate cost for this comprehensive waterproofing effort was around $22,775, offering Katie enhanced protection and peace of mind.
Near Champaign, IL
Addressed minor cracking and bowing in the crawl space foundation. We reinforced the walls with a protective sealant, ensuring long-term stability. Also installed a new drainage system outside to prevent further water damage. The project, located in the 61820 area, came in at around $4,100, enhancing the home’s integrity.
Near Champaign, IL
