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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Lack of building codes- or outdated ones- are another concern.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.
We addressed unlevel floors in a crawl space, part of a structural repair project for Kate. The existing foundation was unsteady, requiring professional intervention to restore balance and ensure long-term stability. Roughly priced at around $4,000, this project stabilizes the home's foundation effectively.
Near West Lafayette, IN
We’ve worked on stabilizing a backyard patio for Marilyn and Russell, which had sunk due to soil erosion beneath. Our team applied slabjacking techniques to lift and level the patio, ensuring the attached roof and surrounding area remained secure. This essential repair was roughly priced at $2,200, bringing back both functionality and appeal to their outdoor space.
Near West Lafayette, IN
We addressed a significant structural issue at Pradeep's new home, where one of the cinderblock basement walls was bowing. In conjunction with this, the driveway also needed to be leveled. Our team carefully implemented repairs to restore structural integrity, ensuring stability and preventing further damage. This comprehensive job, located in zip code 47906, was completed for approximately $10,500.
Near West Lafayette, IN
Just wrapped up a comprehensive waterproofing project for Christine's basement. We inspected areas with previous leaks, installed a sump pump, and applied epoxy crack fills to ensure a dry, stable environment. The space was gutted, allowing us to address all issues effectively. The homeowner can now move forward with confidence toward finishing the basement. This job was approximately priced at $28,000.
Near West Lafayette, IN
We successfully completed a foundation leveling project for Andrea's home. The front porch and walkway had settled, requiring a jacking process to restore their positions. Additionally, visible cracks in the porch were addressed to prevent further structural issues. The approximate cost for this work was around $5,800, ensuring both stability and aesthetic appeal.
Near West Lafayette, IN
We're tackling a significant structural repair for Tony's basement where a large crack has been allowing water to seep through. The issue, worsened by a faulty downspout, has led to wet areas around the foundation. Our team is working to seal the crack and redirect water flow to prevent future intrusions. This essential repair is estimated around $4,000.
Near West Lafayette, IN
We've taken significant steps to address the moisture issues in Hilary’s basement and crawlspace. Our team implemented a comprehensive waterproofing solution, ensuring the area remains dry and stable. We took additional measures to reinforce the structure, accommodating the tight spaces present. This project in zip code 47906 was completed for an approximate cost of $20,299.
Near West Lafayette, IN
We tackled a challenging waterproofing project in a basement where moisture and dampness were persistent issues. The job necessitated careful remediation to prevent future water intrusion. We also assessed the nearby crawlspace, albeit a tight one, to ensure it fell within safe height requirements. This comprehensive waterproofing and inspection project was completed for approximately $20,000, ensuring the space remains dry and stable.
Near West Lafayette, IN
We have successfully completed a commercial foundation stabilization project for J.R. in Lafayette, zip code 47905. Our team worked diligently on the excavation and structural reinforcement, ensuring a sturdy and reliable foundation. This commercial job was expertly handled for an approximate cost of $56,500.
Near West Lafayette, IN
