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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Lack of building codes- or outdated ones- are another concern.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.
In zip code 60304, we're handling an exterior foundation waterproofing job for Maya, focusing on sealing cracks and preventing water intrusion. This project involves careful repair around the base of the building, ensuring a strong defense against moisture. Approximately $4,200 was invested to tackle these issues effectively, providing long-term protection for the property.
Near Oak Park, IL
This project in Elmhurst focused on addressing significant settlement issues causing separation between the floor and the wall, as well as an exterior gap. To combat this, the team worked to stabilize the back expansion, which was pulling away from the main foundation. A deck demolition was scheduled to facilitate the repair work. This critical foundation repair not only restores the home's stability but also enhances safety, with the project's value estimated around $16,500.
Near Elmhurst, IL
We tackled a crucial foundation repair for James in zip code 60189. His garage foundation had been slowly sinking, causing noticeable noise issues with the garage door and visible cracks in the floor. This repair, approximately priced at $13,100, addressed the structural issues to restore stability and prevent further sinking.
Near Wheaton, IL
Recently, we tackled a foundation repair in Frank's garage, located in zip code 60068. The garage was sinking on one side, causing a vertical crack to appear. We implemented piering techniques to stabilize the foundation, ensuring long-term durability and safety for the structure. This crucial repair work was completed for about $6,000.
Near Park Ridge, IL
Our team tackled a significant waterproofing project for a customer in zip code 60056. We installed a sump pump system to address water seepage issues where the floor meets the wall. This essential service ensures the basement stays dry and secure, with a project cost around $3,000.
Near Mount Prospect, IL
Our team recently completed a vapor barrier installation for Teresa in zip code 60453. This preventative measure is aimed at controlling moisture levels and enhancing the durability of the structure. As a returning customer, Teresa sought to ensure her property remains protected from potential moisture-related issues. The job was carried out efficiently, valued at an approximate cost of $8,500.
Near Oak Lawn, IL
Conducted a slabjacking job on the sidewalk in front of a building in zip code 60638. Our team skillfully leveled the slabs to ensure a safe, even surface for pedestrians. This vital work, approximately priced at $2,300, enhances both the function and aesthetics of the pathway.
Near Chicago, IL
In Western Springs, IL, we tackled a basement waterproofing project for Karen. The issue involved consistent seepage during heavy rains, forming puddles on the floor. Our team addressed this by implementing an effective waterproofing solution, ensuring a dry and secure space moving forward. This essential work was completed at an approximate cost of $15,600, providing peace of mind and long-term protection.
Near Western Springs, IL
We addressed significant water intrusion in Nancy's basement in zip code 60555, where water was penetrating at the wall and floor junction. Our team installed a comprehensive waterproofing system to effectively prevent future issues, with the project costing around $3,475. This will provide long-term protection against water damage.
Near Warrenville, IL
