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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Lack of building codes- or outdated ones- are another concern.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.
Tackled a basement moisture issue suspected to be originating from a window. The project involved sealing vulnerable areas and potentially introducing a dehumidifier for enhanced moisture management. A thorough encapsulation addressed water ingress and enhanced protection. This job was undertaken for George in the 62521 area, with an approximate cost of $3,000.
Near Decatur, IL
Completed a crucial repair job for Charlie in Decatur, 62526. The garage floor and foundation had significant cracking, reaching from the floor into the structure, and was detached from the main house. Our team worked meticulously to address these issues, ensuring structural integrity for the garage. This important repair was valued at around $14,900.
Near Decatur, IL
We addressed water intrusion issues where the wall meets the floor in a basement, particularly focusing on preventing further moisture entry. Our team implemented a waterproofing solution to safeguard the area. This job was completed in zip code 62521 for around $2,000, enhancing the basement's durability.
Near Decatur, IL
Addressed leaking issues in Danilo's basement at zip code 62526. Our team focused on waterproofing the area where the wall meets the floor, resolving water intrusion effectively. This essential repair ensures that the basement remains dry and prevents future leaks, coming at an approximate cost of $3,000.
Near Decatur, IL
Our team addressed water intrusion issues in Randall's basement, where water was suspected to be entering through a wall seam. We implemented waterproofing measures and mold remediation due to a previous mold issue. There's also potential for drainage improvements under the slab due to high radon levels. The estimated cost of the project is around $8,785, ensuring a dry and safe environment.
Near Decatur, IL
Addressed crawlspace moisture issues for Laura in zip code 62526. The job involved sealing the crawlspace, ensuring no further water intrusion, and installing a dehumidifier to manage humidity levels. The humidity was recorded at 83% RH, indicating the necessity for prompt intervention. Additionally, a sump pump was installed to handle excess water and maintain a dry crawlspace environment. The estimated cost for this comprehensive waterproofing solution was approximately $14,500.
Near Decatur, IL
We recently addressed a significant issue for a homeowner in zip code 62521. The basement wall had developed a crack, allowing water and dirt intrusion, which threatened the area. Our team worked diligently to seal the crack and reinforce the wall, providing comprehensive waterproofing to prevent future issues. The project was completed for around $5,000, ensuring long-lasting protection for the homeowner.
Near Decatur, IL
Addressed water intrusion issues in a finished basement by installing a perimeter drainage system to mitigate water coming up from the floor. Added a sump pump to efficiently redirect water away from the foundation. Enhanced exterior water flow with targeted gutter extensions. Estimated cost of the project is around $6900.
Near Decatur, IL
