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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Lack of building codes- or outdated ones- are another concern.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 waterproofing and sagging floor issues for Robert in the 48103 area. A noticeable leak was handled with an interior drainage system to ensure dryness and stability. In addition, the perimeter floor was stabilized to prevent future problems, costing around $3,000.
Near Ann Arbor, MI
Worked on addressing moisture issues in Jared’s basement located in the 48105 area. The basement faced challenges with water entry, particularly at one side having a noticeable problem. Our team installed a robust waterproofing system to protect against further intrusion, especially around the pump structure. The foundation, a mix of cinderblock and stone, now benefits from enhanced moisture control. This project was completed for approximately $4,200.
Near Ann Arbor, MI
Addressed water intrusion at the foundation's base for Uday in the 48104 area. With a focus on waterproofing, our team ensured a dry and secure basement to prevent mold development. Approximate cost for this project was $11,184.
Near Ann Arbor, MI
Victor's sidewalk had a noticeable void causing it to sink, raising concerns about potential safety hazards. Although there were initial concerns about using slabjacking for this issue, the job proceeded to restore the walkway's level. The process helped stabilize the sidewalk, ensuring a secure path. The approximate cost of this repair was about $2,000, addressing the situation effectively in the 48104 area.
Near Ann Arbor, MI
We recently completed a structural foundation repair for Duane in the 48103 area. This job involved addressing cracking issues and stabilizing support walls with new materials. Previously repaired sections needed attention as the original company went out of business. Our team ensured to check for any bowing in the walls, providing a lasting solution for approximately $5500.
Near Ann Arbor, MI
We completed a foundation repair and waterproofing project around a window well in the 48104 area. This job involved excavating the area to address drainage and potential water intrusion issues. Our team applied a waterproof membrane to ensure the foundation's durability and prevent future leaks. This project for Rick was accomplished with approximately $4250 dedicated to securing the property against moisture.
Near Ann Arbor, MI
We tackled a persistent leak in a townhouse basement that had troubled Diane for years, even after previous fixes. Our team traced the water intrusion to the basement stoop area, reinforced the caulking, and applied a waterproofing membrane for enhanced protection. This approach aims to secure the property before Diane moves to ensure a dry environment for future occupants. The approximate job price was around $3,000 in the 48103 area.
Near Ann Arbor, MI
Completed a slabjacking job to address the sinking front steps of Emanuel's home in the 48104 area. The stairs were showing significant signs of settling, and our team efficiently leveled them to restore safety and usability. The project involved lifting and stabilizing the concrete slabs to prevent further sinking. Approximate cost of the job was around $800.
Near Ann Arbor, MI
Completed a slabjacking job for Trivellore to address sinking sidewalks connecting to a porch in zip code 48108. The project involved raising the walkway to create a level surface, efficiently enhancing pedestrian safety and aesthetics. This necessary repair was carried out for approximately $2,600.
Near Ann Arbor, MI
