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Lack of building codes- or outdated ones- are another concern.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.
Completed repairs on the sidewalk to address uneven pavement adjacent to the foundation. This project involved precise work to ensure stability and prevent trip hazards. It enhances the property's safety and structural integrity.
We recently enhanced the crawl space by installing a moisture barrier and evaluating the structural support. This project aims to protect the area from water intrusion and maintain the foundational integrity. Precise measurements were taken to ensure stability and prevent any further issues.
Today, our team installed a moisture barrier in the crawl space. This essential step helps to prevent water intrusion and potential damage to the foundation. By securing a robust barrier, we aim to enhance the longevity and stability of the property.
Recently, we applied a comprehensive sealant along the exterior foundation perimeter to effectively block potential moisture entry. This sealing process aims to protect the structural integrity of the building and prevent future water-related issues. By addressing these concerns proactively, we enhance the longevity and stability of the foundation.
Completed a sealing project along the exterior foundation to prevent water intrusion and protect against potential moisture issues. This proactive approach enhances the durability and stability of the structure while minimizing future water-related concerns.
We've identified visible cracks along the driveway and exterior siding during our latest inspection. These observations are crucial for planning foundational repairs that will enhance stability and prevent further damage. The next steps involve a thorough analysis to determine the most effective solutions.
Today, we conducted an assessment of the exterior siding and front entryway of the property. The siding shows signs of wear and will require attention to maintain the structural integrity of the home. Additionally, the entryway steps have noticeable chipping and may need refinishing to enhance safety and curb appeal. These evaluations are crucial for planning necessary repairs and ensuring long-term stability.
We've conducted an evaluation of the exterior garage area, focusing on the visible cracks along the driveway and the siding condition. Addressing these issues will be crucial to ensuring long-term structural stability. Our next steps will involve planning the necessary repairs to prevent further damage.
We've assessed the garage area for potential foundation concerns, discovering visible cracks in both the floor and exterior. This initial evaluation highlights crucial areas that may require stabilization to ensure long-term structural stability. Our next steps will involve planning targeted repairs to address these issues.
A completed project involved installing a new foundation ventilation system. This enhancement allows for improved air circulation, reducing moisture accumulation and helping to maintain the structural integrity of the foundation. The area was also cleaned and leveled to ensure proper drainage away from the property.
We recently finished encapsulating a crawl space, which involved installing a secure access door and a protective moisture barrier. This solution prevents water intrusion and ensures the space remains dry and stable. The encapsulation offers significant benefits for the home's foundation, providing long-term protection against moisture-related issues.
We just concluded a challenging project involving the installation of support piers to stabilize the foundation at this property. Our team worked meticulously to ensure the structure's integrity, addressing underlying issues exposed through excavation. This essential repair involved careful coordination and precise execution to secure the home effectively.
Our latest project involved reinforcing the crawl space with new support piers and installing a thorough encapsulation system. The support piers ensure stability, addressing any risks of structural sagging. Additionally, we've laid down a protective moisture barrier to keep the space dry, significantly reducing potential water intrusion and preserving the integrity of the foundation. This comprehensive effort offers long-lasting protection and peace of mind for the homeowner.
We're assessing a garage floor for potential foundation issues. The visible cracks and setup indicate preliminary work for stabilization or possible repairs. Additionally, views of the house exterior highlight well-maintained siding and landscape around the foundation. These observations are crucial in planning any necessary foundation repair works to ensure long-term stability and protection against moisture.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Aaron is preparing to sell his home and needed urgent structural repairs after an inspection revealed an unlevel foundation and a concerning wall. Our team reinforced the affected areas to ensure stability and attractiveness for potential buyers. This vital repair was completed for approximately $5,600 in the 61821 area.
We tackled a challenging basement issue for Bridget in Champaign, zip code 61821. Cracking and water intrusion around the windows required immediate attention. Our team managed to apply a waterproof sealant and reinforce the bowing walls to prevent further damage. The job was efficiently executed with an approximate cost of $3,100.
