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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Lack of building codes- or outdated ones- are another concern.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.
Completed a structural repair project for Tim at zip code 46776. The team focused on stabilizing the foundation by installing robust supports to prevent further settling. These crucial measures ensure long-term stability and security for the home. The job was carried out at an approximate cost of $16,600, providing Tim with a strengthened and protected foundation.
Near Orland, IN
Our team completed a comprehensive waterproofing job for Mark in the 49249 area. This project involved installing a dehumidifier and a sump pump in the basement to effectively manage moisture levels. We also set up a drainage system to ensure efficient water redirection away from the foundation, addressing any potential water issues in this Michigan basement. The overall cost of this project was around $6,000.
Near Jerome, MI
We've begun groundwork preparation for a new commercial building in the 46703 area. The initial phase involves clearing and leveling the land, with a focus on ensuring a stable foundation. This project, undertaken for Meyer, is crucial for setting up a robust and secure base, with an approximate budget of $17.3k.
Near Angola, IN
Undertook a structural repair to stabilize buckled cinder blocks in Susan's basement, crucial for preparing the home for sale. The cinder blocks were approximately one and a half inches unlevel, needing reinforcement to restore stability. Estimated service cost was around $6,500, ensuring the foundation is secure and market-ready.
Near Bronson, MI
We addressed structural concerns in Brian’s basement by reinforcing the bowing cinder block walls. Visible sealing and support work were applied to stabilize the area and avert potential issues, all executed without water intrusion. This project was managed efficiently with an approximate budget of $8,000.
Near Fremont, IN
Addressed a foundation crack in Kayla's basement wall, essential for securing the property for prospective buyers. Despite no water intrusion or settling signs, the crack was noted during a home inspection. We applied a robust sealing solution, preventing possible future issues. This repair, priced around $1,715, ensures structural integrity in zip code 49237.
Near Concord, MI
Eduardo has opted for an upgrade to his home's waterproofing system in zip code 49011. Recognizing the strain on his current sump pump, we installed a new system with a battery backup to ensure reliable performance, even during power outages. This proactive approach aims to prevent future water issues and maintain a dry, secure basement. The installation was undertaken for an approximate cost of $3,200.
Near Athens, MI
Completed a waterproofing job on a cracked basement wall in Scott's home, located in zip code 49250. This essential repair, priced around $2,500, ensures long-term protection against water intrusion, enhancing the structural integrity of the basement.
Near Jonesville, MI
We finalized a structural repair project for Don in zip code 49203. The job involved addressing foundational concerns which included reinforcing a wall for added stability. This crucial repair helps ensure the longevity and safety of the structure. The project was completed for an approximate cost of $1,715.
Near Jackson, MI
