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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Lack of building codes- or outdated ones- are another concern.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 recently completed a structural repair for Zach in the 46970 area, focusing on stabilizing the foundation and reinforcing the interior walls. The basement walls required support to prevent further structural issues. Our team efficiently addressed these concerns at a cost of about $11,600, ensuring the long-term stability of the property.
Near Peru, IN
Recently finished addressing significant foundation issues for Sandra in the 46970 area. The project involved repairing cracks and signs of settling in the crawlspace to ensure long-term stability and peace of mind. This essential repair work was completed for an approximate cost of $5,000.
Near Peru, IN
Crystal's home in zip code 46970 required a thorough evaluation of its foundation due to noticeable sagging floors and crumbling around the base of the house. We conducted a detailed inspection to assess the necessary repairs, focusing on lifting the sagging areas and reinforcing the foundation for improved stability. The project is estimated to be valued at around $8,600.
Near Peru, IN
Recently tackled a significant foundation repair for Troy in the 46970 area. The project involved addressing multiple wall cracks and sealing off water intrusion to protect the basement integrity. This included rectifying the bowing of one wall, ensuring long-term stability, and comprehensive waterproofing measures. The estimated cost for these efforts was approximately $14,000.
Near Peru, IN
Completed an inspection and repair for Jamie's property, focusing on crawlspace joists and sill plates. The buyer had concerns about the current state and possible future renovations, including the potential addition of French drains. Our team worked within a compact 2ft crawlspace height, ensuring each entry point was accessible, and the repair was done effectively. The project was approximately priced at around $12,500.
Near Peru, IN
In Lisa's home, we've tackled the problem of sagging floors by installing structural jacks for added support. This essential repair will help stabilize the structure, a necessary step considering the house's unknown history following her father's passing. The project was done at an approximate cost of $6,467 in the 46970 area.
Near Peru, IN
Deborah's home required essential waterproofing solutions to address persistent water leakage in the basement. Our team efficiently installed a trench drainage system alongside the exterior wall to prevent future water intrusion. This involved sealing affected areas and ensuring proper water diversion. With this setup, the 60-year-old house is now better equipped to handle moisture challenges. The project was handled for an approximate cost of $4,250 in zip code 46970.
Near Peru, IN
In William's property located in the 46970 area, we tackled a severe water intrusion issue. Our team installed a drainage system and waterproofed the basement to ensure it remains dry and secure. The project involved integrating a dehumidification system to manage humidity levels, providing long-term protection against further water damage. This comprehensive work was completed with an investment of approximately $33,587.
Near Peru, IN
Recently tackled a structural repair project involving leaning posts under Thomas's home in the 46970 area. We noticed visible gaps in the walls and floor cracking issues that required immediate attention. This corrective work, estimated at around $6,200, aimed to stabilize and reinforce the home's foundation for long-term safety and stability.
Near Peru, IN
