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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Lack of building codes- or outdated ones- are another concern.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 completed a structural repair project at Marlene's home in zip code 46815. Visible cracks in the interior walls and foundation were addressed to ensure stability and prevent further damage. This essential work, priced around $8,200, helped preserve the structural integrity and safety of the property.
Near Fort Wayne, IN
Eric's basement in zip code 46806 needed attention due to a crack in the wall. Our team addressed the structural concern with precision, ensuring long-term stability. The repair work involved sealing and reinforcing the affected areas, providing peace of mind with an approximate budget of $3,000.
Near Fort Wayne, IN
Currently addressing an uneven garage slab and associated exterior brick cracking at Anne's residence. The slab's condition had started to impact the structural integrity of the attached garage. Efforts are focused on leveling the slab to prevent further brick damage. Estimated cost for the repair is approximately $2,600.
Near Fort Wayne, IN
At Trevor's residence in zip code 46815, we tackled a garage foundation issue characterized by cracks and visible signs of settling. The repair process involved stabilizing the foundation to prevent further structural shifting. With doors sticking and drywall cracking being additional concerns, we ensured to address these issues comprehensively. The project is slated at a cost of approximately $6,500, offering Trevor peace of mind with enhanced stability and integrity.
Near Fort Wayne, IN
Melinda requested our team revisit her property in zip code 46809 to address her sinking back porch. The steps show noticeable signs of settling, which we're resolving by leveling and stabilizing the structure to prevent further issues. The estimated cost for this renovation is around $19,700, aimed at enhancing stability and safety.
Near Fort Wayne, IN
Tackled foundation crack issues and addressed driveway sinking problems for Laurie. The project involved repairing splits in the basement floor and shimming the sliding door for proper closure. External concrete damage was also assessed, ensuring long-term durability. The estimated cost of this comprehensive repair is roughly $20,000.
Near Fort Wayne, IN
We tackled a waterproofing project at Kim's residence in zip code 46804, addressing water intrusion in two rooms during rainy conditions. Our team ensured effective sealing and moisture management strategies, helping to preserve the home’s integrity. This essential maintenance is valued at around $8,500, providing long-term confidence in durability.
Near Fort Wayne, IN
Addressed multiple structural concerns in Sean's tri-level home. With noticeable cracks and door alignment issues, we focused on stabilizing the foundation, suspecting a potentially unlevel slab. The repair work is estimated to cost around $18,000, aiming to restore integrity and functionality.
Near Fort Wayne, IN
Jakob's property in zip code 46815 required attention due to noticeable foundation issues impacting the driveway and garage area. Our team worked on stabilizing these areas by addressing soil and foundational concerns, which were evident from visible shifting. This essential repair is aimed at preventing further damage and ensuring long-term stability, with an estimated project price of around $4,000.
Near Fort Wayne, IN
