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Lack of building codes- or outdated ones- are another concern.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.
Dealt with a pressing water intrusion issue in Dennis's basement, where the walls are a combination of old brick and cinder block. The team focused on waterproofing to ensure the basement remains dry and protected from future water damage. The approximate cost for this vital work is around $9,200, set in zip code 47803.
We tackled a foundation issue where a living room extension, partly on a crawl space and partly on a basement, was sinking. The crawl space was hard to access, requiring careful excavation. By installing new piers, we provided the necessary support to stabilize the structure. The job was completed with an approximate cost of $13,400.
Recently, we worked on a comprehensive structure repair addressing a wall that was separating from the ceiling. This project focused on ensuring the stability and safety of the crawl space. Our team diligently reinforced the area, which is crucial for maintaining the home's structural integrity. The job, located in zip code 47802, was approximately priced at $35,500.
We addressed water intrusion issues in Jeff's basement, which featured cinder block walls and mold concerns. By installing a waterproofing system, we aimed to prevent further moisture damage and maintain a dry environment in the basement of a library. The job was carried out in the 47804 area with an approximate price of $16,700. Our focus was on ensuring long-term protection and structural integrity.
Dealt with a persistent leak in a Michigan-style basement. A 2x8 ft wall section was patched, with additional waterproofing measures implemented to prevent future water intrusion. The previously exterior stairs posed a challenge due to their integration into the basement. Estimated cost for the repair is approximately $12,200. The customer is available for texts and emails for further communication.
We tackled a challenging slabjacking project on the front porch for Connie in the 47804 area. The porch, leaning toward the house, had dropped about 2 to 2.5 inches causing structural concerns. Our team leveled and stabilized the porch effectively, ensuring it remains secure and aligned. This project was handled with a professional approach for an approximate cost of $2,794.
In Michael's home, located in the 47803 area, we focused on encapsulating the crawlspace to address moisture issues. Our team installed a vapor barrier and ensured the proper sealing around the area, which is a crucial preventive measure to keep moisture and dampness at bay. This encapsulation project was carried out for about $30,767, providing long-term protection and enhancing the home's structural integrity.
Recently completed a basement waterproofing project in zip code 47805 to address water issues for Nancy. Our team installed a thorough waterproofing system, including a sump pump and extensive drainage solutions, to secure the basement from water intrusion. This significant effort ensures long-term protection, completed at an approximate cost of $8,100.
We successfully leveled the pillars of Tyler's carport in zip code 47802. The uneven surfaces were corrected using slabjacking, ensuring stability and durability. This essential foundation repair was completed with a budget close to $6,600, providing a secure and level structure.
Successfully completed the installation of an outside drainage system to address waterproofing needs in Sachi's area. This project involved setting up proper exterior drainage to direct water away from the foundation, minimizing moisture intrusion. The job was effectively executed with a focus on enhancing the property's water management for around $3,000.
We tackled a comprehensive foundation repair project for Desirae in zip code 47804. The job included addressing wood rot and unlevel floors by reinforcing the floor structure. Significant repairs were made to a basement wall that had old crack repairs. Additionally, mold issues in the basement were noted, requiring thorough remediation. The project was executed with an approximate value of $20,000, ensuring the stability and safety of the home.
Successfully implemented a waterproofing solution in Jason's basement located in the 47802 area. The team addressed water intrusion issues at the base of the cinderblock walls around the perimeter, which had been causing problems with heavy rain. The careful installation of a drainage system will now help to manage water effectively and protect the basement from future intrusion. This essential waterproofing project was approximately priced at $16,700.
We're addressing the settling issue on one side of Doug's home in the 47802 area. Previous fixes with support beams didn't solve the sagging floors, so our team installed new adjustable supports to improve stability. This foundation repair effort is crucial for ensuring the house remains level and secure. The project costs approximately $2,100.
