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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Lack of building codes- or outdated ones- are another concern.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.
We're working on restoring the floors in Esther's historic home, built around 1912. The floors were sagging due to uncertain foundation materials, requiring special attention to stabilize and reinforce the structure. This intervention will ensure the longevity and safety of the home, completed in the 62924 area for around $18,610.
Near De Soto, IL
For James' property, we addressed a mold issue in the crawl space by implementing an effective encapsulation solution. The limited 40-inch clearance required precise work, but our team managed to install a moisture control system to maintain optimal humidity levels, significantly improving air quality. Additionally, mold was thoroughly removed and treated to prevent future growth. This detailed job was completed for around $15,000.
Near Belleville, IL
We addressed significant structural concerns in Paul's crawl space, focusing on repair due to settlement issues affecting the small wall cracks and door alignment. The intervention bolstered the support beams and corrected flooring problems to prevent further displacement. This project was completed to secure the foundation's integrity for approximately $6,300 in zip code 62615.
Near Auburn, IL
We've reinforced the structural integrity of Adam's home by addressing the sagging floors in the crawl space. The hallway was especially problematic and required leveling and sistering of joists. The job, essential for stabilizing the building, was carried out for roughly $3,200 to ensure a secure foundation.
Near Irvington, IL
Recently addressed a major waterproofing issue for Anthony’s home where water was seeping through basement walls. This project involved excavating around the foundation to install improved drainage and waterproofing solutions. Additionally, repairs were made to the exterior concrete which showed signs of sinking. The comprehensive intervention ensures a solid and dry foundation and was completed for just over $13,000.
Near Berwyn, IL
Successfully completed a crawl space encapsulation to address sagging and sloping floor issues for Matthew in zip code 60450. By installing a vapor barrier, we enhance the structural integrity and prevent future moisture problems. This solution not only stabilizes the floors above but also protects against potential water damage. The project was expertly executed at an approximate cost of $29,000.
Near Morris, IL
We tackled structural issues where foundation cracks were causing doors to stick. Our team installed support piers to stabilize the area and prevent further damage. Along with securing the porch, the job ensures the home remains safe and stable. This project is approximately priced at $13,000, beneficially addressing Carolyn's foundation concerns.
Near Minier, IL
Addressed a basement wall crack issue for a homeowner, where water was seeping from the window down to the floor. To resolve the situation, our team implemented effective waterproofing techniques to prevent any further water intrusion. This project ensures a dry and safe environment, with services valuing around $3,300.
Near Warrenville, IL
We completed a comprehensive foundation stabilization and waterproofing project. This involved reinforcing the basement structure to address settlement issues and utilizing waterproof membranes to prevent future moisture intrusion. These essential measures ensure long-term durability and safety. The job in the 62220 area was carried out for approximately $42,500.
Near Belleville, IL
