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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Lack of building codes- or outdated ones- are another concern.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 addressed water intrusion concerns for Tan in zip code 47203. Our team improved the crawlspace by implementing an effective waterproofing solution and enhancing the structural integrity of the foundation. This project, priced at approximately $5,700, ensures the long-term stability and dryness of the property.
Near Columbus, IN
Worked on leveling the gate piers at Kirk's property to fix an unlevel east side pier that was misaligning the opening mechanism. The process involved adjusting both piers, each resting on slabs, to ensure smooth operation and avoid rubbing against the driveway. This job, located in zip code 47201, was completed for about $3,000.
Near Columbus, IN
A thorough repair was carried out on the wooden supports under Becky's home. The job involved addressing rotted wood in the crawl space to ensure safe and sturdy support, with the service costing around $6,400. This essential maintenance helps protect against further structural issues.
Near Columbus, IN
We addressed significant structural concerns including visible cracking in the foundation. Our team inspected the crawlspace and provided a comprehensive repair plan to ensure the building's stability. The exterior of the house was also evaluated for any potential issues. The job's estimated cost was about $14,800, aimed at securing overall structural integrity.
Near Columbus, IN
Gordon's home needed some structural attention due to a sagging hallway. Our team tackled the issue by reinforcing the crawlspace, which stands at approximately 3-4 feet high. This essential structural repair ensures the stability and safety of the hallway, with the job priced around $16,000.
Near Columbus, IN
Mark's property required a crucial structural repair due to a bowing wall extending over the majority of a 40-foot span. Significant cracks had appeared midway and above, although the structure remained solid since the wall's initial shift decades ago. Following a structural engineer’s recommendation, we are focusing on reinforcing the integrity of the wall to ensure long-term stability, with the project cost around $8,600.
Near Columbus, IN
We're currently undertaking a commercial project involving the excavation of trenches near a waterfront area. Our team is focused on reinforcing the foundation to ensure stability and prevent water intrusion. This crucial work for Kritzer in the 47201 area comes in at approximately $12,900, promising enhanced structural support.
Near Columbus, IN
We've completed a detailed waterproofing task for Tony in the 47203 area. Water was seeping into the basement's foundation, especially near the stairs and some walls, raising concerns of potential mold. With meticulous efforts, we've sealed all vulnerable areas, ensuring solid protection against moisture intrusion. The project, which addresses the water damage comprehensively, was completed for an approximate cost of $14,605.
Near Columbus, IN
Our team addressed structural issues in Rebecca's crawlspace where a broken beam and water intrusion were causing significant problems. The entire length of the beam needed replacement due to continuous water damage, likely because of the lack of a downspout in the area. This comprehensive repair ensures stability and prevents future moisture issues, with the project costing approximately $32,869.
Near Columbus, IN
