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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Lack of building codes- or outdated ones- are another concern.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 took on a challenging structure repair for Carolyn in Kokomo, IN, ensuring the integrity of the home's foundation. The project involved addressing multiple issues, including dirt and debris removal and reinforcing compromised areas. This crucial repair was completed for approximately $38,000, focused on delivering long-term stability.
Near Kokomo, IN
Mikalah needed assistance with severely unlevel kitchen floors during a cabinet renovation project. Our team addressed the structural issues by implementing necessary foundation repairs, ensuring a stable and level surface. This work, completed in zip code 46901, was carried out for an approximate cost of $3,000.
Near Kokomo, IN
Just wrapped up a crawlspace repair project for Melba's condo in the 46901 area. We addressed several structural concerns, including cracking walls and difficult-to-open windows, likely due to a previous leak. The project also included checking for external wall bowing and ensuring the floors remained level. Completed at an approximate cost of $1,682.
Near Kokomo, IN
Successfully installed a perimeter drainage system in Dan's basement due to water issues surfacing through the concrete floor. This essential upgrade helps safeguard the area against potential water damage and adds substantial protection to the property. The project was completed for an approximate cost of $17,900.
Near Kokomo, IN
Addressed a foundation issue for Jessica in zip code 46901. The project involved fixing both vertical and horizontal cracks in the home's foundation, including a missing cinder block. The wall was noticeably sliding and slanted, indicating significant structural concerns. Estimated cost for the repair is approximately $3,000.
Near Kokomo, IN
We've recently completed a structural repair job focusing on the replacement of a main beam and an eight-foot section of the sill plate in Gary's property located in the 46901 area. The crawlspace, already insulated with spray foam, required attention to enhance the stability of the structure. The project was thorough, aiming to ensure long-term safety with an approximate cost of $28,760.
Near Kokomo, IN
We tackled a significant water intrusion issue in a basement and crawlspace by implementing an effective waterproofing solution. The process included addressing water seepage along the floor and walls, and ensuring proper drainage. This work helps prevent future moisture problems and keeps the area dry and safe. The project was completed with an approximate cost of $13,700.
Near Kokomo, IN
Our team recently completed a floor joist repair in the crawl space of a home in Kokomo. The project involved stabilizing the structure to ensure long-term support, which was crucial as the property is on the market. This essential repair was carried out efficiently for around $17,000, offering the homeowner peace of mind and enhancing the home's appeal to potential buyers.
Near Kokomo, IN
We completed a crawl space encapsulation for Chris in the 46902 area. The project addressed water intrusion issues from a previous flood, ensuring long-term protection. Additionally, we identified a sinking sidewalk at the back exterior and leveled it to prevent future problems. The estimated cost for this comprehensive repair was around $30,000, providing enhanced stability and security for the home.
Near Kokomo, IN
