✕
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Lack of building codes- or outdated ones- are another concern.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 tackled a significant foundation issue in Debra's attached garage by addressing a crack that was affecting the garage door's functionality. Our team performed structural repairs to stabilize the slab foundation, ensuring the integrity and usability of the garage. This repair, scheduled through Workiz and estimated at around $13,000, was completed efficiently over two days.
Near Elkhart, IN
We undertook a significant foundation repair project for Charles in the 46517 area. The foundation had shifted and required immediate attention to prevent further structural issues. Our team worked diligently to stabilize the structure and ensure long-term integrity. The project is estimated to cost approximately $26,800, reflecting the complexity and scope of the repair needed.
Near Elkhart, IN
In Elkhart, we addressed the settling issues of a back patio and step. Water pooling against the house had been a concern, although past water intrusion was due to heavy rains, not settling. By performing slabjacking, we ensured the concrete area is now level and stable. The job cost about $3,190.
Near Elkhart, IN
Lee's front porch was experiencing settling issues, causing it to sink noticeably. To address this, we performed a slabjacking procedure, lifting and leveling the concrete to restore its original position. The cost of the project was around $8,400, providing a secure and stable solution.
Near Elkhart, IN
Lee's front porch in zip code 46517 was experiencing sinking issues. Our team addressed this by performing slabjacking to lift and stabilize the concrete surface. The project was roughly valued around $8,400, ensuring the porch is now secure and level.
Near Elkhart, IN
Lee’s front porch was sinking, posing a significant challenge. Our team effectively addressed the issue using slabjacking techniques to level the porch. With an understanding of the project scope, the job was completed for around $8,400, restoring the porch’s stability and appearance.
Near Elkhart, IN
We addressed a significant foundation issue where a laundry room addition was sinking, affecting its structural integrity and causing door alignment problems. The team implemented stabilization measures to prevent further settlement. This solution, completed for approximately $6,400, ensures the area remains stable and functional.
Near Elkhart, IN
We completed an urgent waterproofing job for Paul in the 46517 area, tackling water intrusion in his basement. The issue was isolated to one block wall, allowing moisture into the space. Our team implemented targeted waterproofing solutions, ensuring that the foundation remains dry and secure. The project was wrapped up efficiently for an approximate cost of $3,321.
Near Elkhart, IN
We recently addressed a significant structural issue involving a chimney that was pulling away from the home in Elkhart, zip code 46514. The team executed a precise lifting and leveling process to realign the chimney, ensuring no daylight is visible through the gap. This job was completed for approximately $14,300, enhancing overall stability.
Near Elkhart, IN
