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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Lack of building codes- or outdated ones- are another concern.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 completed a critical foundation crack repair on a home that was previously hit by a tree. The cinder block foundation showed significant damage with multiple cracks, which required thorough attention. Our team efficiently addressed the structural issues to restore stability, ensuring the home is secure. The estimated cost of this project was approximately $7,500 in the 49037 area.
Near Battle Creek, MI
We focused on waterproofing work in Donn's basement to tackle moisture issues. The project included removing old flooring, installing drainage systems, and reinforcing walls to ensure long-term protection. The approximate cost of the job was around $776, providing a dry and secure environment.
Near Battle Creek, MI
Addressed water leakage in Denise's basement in the 49017 area by sealing exterior walls and installing a drainage system. To combat the persistent moldy smell and water issues, our team applied waterproofing solutions thoroughly. This comprehensive work was completed for around $18,000.
Near Battle Creek, MI
We recently tackled a structural repair project for Robert in the 49014 area. The job involved addressing cracks in the brick facade due to foundation settlement. There was no water intrusion into the basement, and our team focused on stabilizing the foundation to prevent further damage. If Robert needs brick work done, we recommend finding a local mason. This repair was completed at an approximate cost of $6,000.
Near Battle Creek, MI
Recently completed a foundation repair for Sam in the 49015 area. Our team addressed a cracked foundation wall with water intrusion in the finished basement. The repair involved sealing the crack and implementing waterproofing measures to prevent future issues. This crucial repair was carried out at approximately $3k. The result is a more secure and dry environment for the homeowner.
Near Battle Creek, MI
We tackled water intrusion in Kay's tri-level home in zip code 49015, focusing on the basement where cinderblock construction showed signs of moisture damage. Water was noticeable on the floor, even 5-6 feet out, causing dampness where new flooring was planned. The team also addressed seepage on one wall, where paint was bubbling. Approximate value of this waterproofing project is $6,500.
Near Battle Creek, MI
Today we handled a foundation inspection and repair in Battle Creek for David, who noticed his house making unusual noises and cracks forming in wall joints. The connected garage slab was also inspected due to visible issues. Given the conditions, our team initiated necessary repairs to stabilize the foundation and prevent further damage. This comprehensive work totaled approximately $19,800.
Near Battle Creek, MI
We recently evaluated Angela's basement in the 49017 area for structural reinforcement. The project involves estimating the installation of an I-beam to enhance the stability of the foundation. This service, priced at about $5,750, aims to address support issues and ensure the basement remains secure and stable for years to come.
Near Battle Creek, MI
