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Lack of building codes- or outdated ones- are another concern.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.
Recently completed essential repairs for Fred in the 48103 area, focusing on addressing water intrusion in the basement. Our team efficiently sealed cracks in the foundation and installed an exterior drainage system to prevent further moisture issues. This comprehensive waterproofing and repair project was carried out with a budget of approximately $5,900.
Near Ann Arbor, MI
We've completed a significant waterproofing project for Cheryl's basement aimed at resolving water intrusion issues. Our team installed a tailored system to effectively manage moisture, ensuring the basement remains dry and secure. This vital upgrade, costing about $34,971, safeguards the home's foundation and enhances its overall stability.
Near Ann Arbor, MI
We recently tackled a basement water intrusion issue for Robyn in the 48103 area. The walls displayed signs of water logging, prompting the installation of a comprehensive waterproofing system. This project, including interior drainage implementation, was completed for approximately $14,400 to ensure a dry and secure environment.
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
We recently conducted structural repairs for Joseph in the 48103 area, focusing on reinforcing the basement windows and surrounding foundation. This essential work included window frame installation and ensuring proper waterproofing to prevent future water intrusion. The entire project was executed efficiently, contributing to a more secure and stable home environment. The job was completed for around $16,000.
Near Ann Arbor, MI
Completed a comprehensive basement waterproofing project for Kenneth in Ann Arbor, addressing water intrusion and mold issues. Our team installed a perimeter drainage system with external egress, ensuring the space remains dry and secure. This project, priced around $9,700, enhances the home’s structural stability and protects against future water damage.
Near Ann Arbor, MI
Gary's basement needed urgent attention due to a cracked foundation and water intrusion through the rod holes, which was causing an unpleasant dirt smell. Our team focused on waterproofing and sealing the cracks to protect the integrity of the foundation. At a value of approximately $8,500, these essential repairs ensure a stable and dry environment in the 48108 area.
Near Ann Arbor, MI
Rene's basement walls in zip code 48103 showed significant cracking, both diagonal and vertical, requiring urgent attention. A structural engineer pointed out the need for a joist and sister joist to support the weight of an intended bookshelf, approximately 300 lbs. Our team addressed these structural concerns to ensure stability and safety. The repairs were performed smoothly for about $3,264.
Near Ann Arbor, MI
At KLA's property in the 48103 area, we undertook a foundation stabilization task. Our team installed helical piers to address settlement issues and ensure the structure's stability. This essential project was executed with attention to structural integrity, around a budget of approximately $24k.
Near Ann Arbor, MI
