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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Lack of building codes- or outdated ones- are another concern.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.
Addressed concerns at 1127 Grant Circle, Cicero with comprehensive concrete slab jacking and pier installation. The project aimed to resolve previous cracking issues, improving stability and customer satisfaction. Jerry, the homeowner, expressed potential payment upon improved results, with the project valued around $5,200.
Near Noblesville, IN
We've undertaken a significant foundation stabilization project for Meyer in the 46060 area. The work involved installing robust supports to reinforce the foundation, ensuring structural stability. This project reflects our commitment to quality and was valued at around $15,200.
Near Noblesville, IN
For Maryanne’s home, we addressed structural issues within the crawlspace by pouring concrete and installing new supports. The home presented unlevel floors, a horizontal crack in the hallway, and a problematic door in the master bedroom. We've made significant repairs, including fixing the soft spot in the kitchen floor. This project aims to stabilize the house, ensuring the floors remain level and secure, with an approximate cost of $3,500.
Near Noblesville, IN
We tackled a chimney issue for Don in the 46062 zip code where the structure was pulling away from the house. Our team focused on reinforcing the area to ensure the stability and safety of the chimney. This crucial repair was completed at an approximate cost of $14,635.
Near Noblesville, IN
While addressing potential water damage under a stone deck, our team discovered issues with the poured concrete framing the basement. The stones above had allowed water to seep through, creating a risk for future damage. We took immediate action to evaluate and address any potential threats to the concrete. This important preventive measure is set at an approximate cost of $2,175.
Near Noblesville, IN
Completed a split job slabjacking project at Brian's home to address foundational concerns. The task involved careful leveling and stabilization, enhancing the home's stability. This project ensures the foundation remains secure and prevents future settling issues. The approximate cost was around $3,762.
Near Noblesville, IN
This job involved addressing multiple cracks in the foundation wall causing water leakage and pooling issues. The team focused on sealing the cracks effectively to prevent further water intrusion and maintain structural integrity. Approximately priced around $8,239, this essential repair ensures the home's stability. The work was completed behind a shelving unit where major leaks were detected.
Near Noblesville, IN
Susan in zip code 46060 needed structural attention for her bathroom floor. Our team addressed a significant horizontal crack running across the slab foundation, likely due to an external foundation issue near the bathroom wall. The repair, involving sealing and reinforcing the crack, aims to ensure stability and safety, completed for an estimated $1,600.
Near Noblesville, IN
Brian needed foundation repair due to a crack identified by a waterproofing company. Our team addressed the issue with a comprehensive repair to ensure stability. The work, priced just over $3,500, ensures structural integrity while accommodating Brian's schedule around his coaching duties.
Near Noblesville, IN
