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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Lack of building codes- or outdated ones- are another concern.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.
Today, we tackled a waterproofing project to address ongoing basement leakage issues. The job involved installing a specialized basement drainage system to channel water away efficiently and prevent future leaks. The cinderblock walls had been dealing with persistent moisture problems, and our approach should mitigate these issues effectively. This comprehensive solution, including potential window well repairs, was completed for around $15,745.
Near Rockford, IL
Addressed water intrusion in Stanley's basement in Rockford (zip code 61103). Our team installed a waterproofing system, focusing on areas where moisture was seeping through the blocks. No visible cracks or mold were detected, ensuring a cleaner and drier space. This essential upgrade, which cost approximately $3,300, provides long-lasting protection and peace of mind.
Near Rockford, IL
We've addressed a significant horizontal crack running along the basement in zip code 61108, ensuring structural stability and preventing future issues. The project included repairing the crack with a robust reinforcement solution. The estimated cost for this basement repair work was about $7,500, providing Dakota with peace of mind regarding the durability and safety of the space.
Near Rockford, IL
We worked on leveling Susan's kitchen floor in zip code 61114. The focus was on stabilizing the underlying structure to address uneven surfaces. This critical repair was completed at an approximate cost of $3,100, ensuring a safe and stable environment.
Near Rockford, IL
Addressed moisture issues in Stephanie's basement in zip code 61108 with a preventive waterproofing solution. With past flooding experience in mind, we sealed critical areas to ensure the basement remains dry and damage-free. This precautionary measure was valued at about $2,700, providing long-term protection.
Near Rockford, IL
Completed a waterproofing job for Celia, who resides in a condo end unit that faced water intrusion issues. After heavy rains, water began seeping into the lower walkout basement due to a visible above-ground crack. Our team effectively addressed this by sealing the crack and enhancing the area's water resistance. The project, approximately valued at $5,000, ensures a dry and secure basement environment.
Near Rockford, IL
Following a careful assessment, we undertook a slabjacking project at Doug's residence in zip code 61103. The job addressed significant sinking issues, with one large crack across the driveway and uneven pads needing realignment. By injecting a leveling solution, we corrected the sinking pavement, enhancing both safety and appearance. Doug was aware of the $2000 minimum, and the total cost of the project is around $9,200.
Near Rockford, IL
In Rockford, we addressed significant foundational concerns for Gary, whose property exhibited noticeable structural movement and basement floor cracks due to water intrusion. After a thorough inspection, our team installed reinforced supports to stabilize and secure the home effectively. These measures ensure long-term stability and prevent further shifting, with the project estimated at approximately $18,400.
Near Rockford, IL
In zip code 61107, we tackled a challenging waterproofing project for Jennifer, dealing with leaking window wells and yard pooling issues. Our solution involved installing effective drainage around the foundation and adding interior drainage channels to guide water away, ensuring long-term protection. This extensive project was undertaken with a budget of around $8,800.
Near Rockford, IL
