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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Lack of building codes- or outdated ones- are another concern.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.
Addressed water intrusion issues in Kathy's basement by installing dependable structural supports and waterproofing measures. The space around the stairs had persistent water problems despite previous flood abatement efforts. Our team carefully reinforced the area and implemented effective drainage solutions. This project, located in the 46628 area, was valued at approximately $10,700, ensuring the basement remains dry and secure.
Near South Bend, IN
We addressed a significant issue of cracks and bowing in a concrete block basement. Our team applied a robust crack repair solution to reinforce the walls, ensuring long-term stability for the structure. The job, scheduled with the homeowner for about $5,600, was a crucial step in maintaining the property's integrity in the 46614 area.
Near South Bend, IN
In this project, we tackled moisture issues in the basement by implementing a waterproofing solution. The team installed a liner along the walls and sealed the perimeter to prevent any water intrusion. This comprehensive approach not only addresses existing issues but also enhances the basement's durability. The project cost was approximately $10,000, offering peace of mind and a dry, usable space.
Near South Bend, IN
Dean's property showcased several structural issues that required addressing. We focused on reinforcing the foundation, ensuring that any visible cracks and sunken areas, especially near the back room and crawl space, were repaired. Proper underpinning and leveling techniques were employed, significantly stabilizing the structure. Approximately 11,000 dollars were invested in ensuring the home's integrity.
Near South Bend, IN
We tackled structural issues in Philip's basement in the 46614 area, focusing on foundation settling and water intrusion in a finished room. Given Philip's concerns about potential cracks and unlevel floors, our team assessed and initiated necessary repairs to address these problems. The job was completed for approximately $3,600, ensuring the foundation's stability and preventing further moisture issues.
Near South Bend, IN
Worked on repairing a foundation of a townhome suffering from sinking issues. The job involved stabilizing the external structure to prevent further damage. Located in the zip code 46617, this project addresses the urgent need for structural reinforcement. The estimated cost is around $66,000.
Near South Bend, IN
We recently conducted a waterproofing job that included addressing some minor water presence around the property. The work was done to ensure long-term protection against moisture intrusion and to enhance the property's structural safety. Skylar's home in the 46614 area received necessary treatments to prevent future water issues, all for an approximate cost of $6,100.
Near South Bend, IN
Addressing significant structural concerns at Kathy's home located in the 46601 area, we've begun work on a vital foundation repair project. The front of the house showed signs of separation in the brickwork, including noticeable cracks in the basement walls. Our team is focusing on reinforcing these areas to address issues of settling and restore proper alignment to windows and doors. The project is valued around $9,940, reflecting the extensive work required to stabilize the structure.
Near South Bend, IN
Addressed the structural concerns in a basement with new support beams, crucial for stabilizing the space in this unique historic home. The intervention aims to counteract sagging floors and prevent water intrusion, providing peace of mind for the homeowner. This service, costing around $11,500, ensures the foundation remains strong.
Near South Bend, IN
