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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Lack of building codes- or outdated ones- are another concern.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 slabjacking project to lift and stabilize a concrete porch for Doug in the 49419 area. The porch had settled unevenly, causing potential stability issues. Our team efficiently lifted the structure back to its original position, ensuring a safe and level surface. This project was carried out for a cost of approximately $2,100.
Near Hamilton, MI
This project involved addressing unlevel slabs near an AC unit with no visible cracks. Working with Bill and property manager Tina, the focus was on realigning the slabs seamlessly. As this was for a repeat customer, the job was expected to go smoothly, all for an estimated cost around $2,000.
Near Grand Rapids, MI
We wrapped up a driveway slabjacking project for Anita in the 49546 area. The end of the driveway was in need of some careful attention. Our team efficiently repaired the cement, restoring it to a stable and leveled state. The job was completed at an approximate cost of $6,600.
Near Grand Rapids, MI
We recently completed a structural repair project to support a bathroom remodel for David in the 49504 area. Our team installed two robust 2x10 planks, ensuring the floor above is well-supported for the renovation. This essential update was carried out for approximately $7,400, providing a stable base for the continued remodeling efforts.
Near Grand Rapids, MI
Completed a vital structural repair in Cheyenne's home, located in the 49418 area, to address sagging floors on the main level. We installed adjustable supports to stabilize and level the flooring, ensuring a safe and secure structure moving forward. This essential job was approximately priced at $2,730, providing a long-term solution to the floor leveling issues.
Near Grandville, MI
We've reinforced a sagging basement beam and installed sturdy support posts to address structural concerns. This essential repair ensures stability for the upper floors and prevents further issues in the humid environment. The job was carried out in the 49548 area, addressing Ryan's concerns for approximately $12k.
Near Wyoming, MI
Completed a thorough foundation repair for Steven's home in the 49546 area. The basement had significant cracking and leaning in the egress windows which required immediate attention. Our team reinforced the structure and addressed the cracks to stabilize the foundation. This essential service was completed efficiently, ensuring a secure environment for the homeowner, with the project cost totaling around $9.6k.
Near Grand Rapids, MI
Addressed water damage in the foundation of a home, causing notable holes in the cinder blocks. The repair work ensured the foundation was stabilized and protected against future issues, carried out roughly for $3,200. This crucial work provided necessary foundational support for Vale’s home in the 49503 area.
Near Grand Rapids, MI
Completed a detailed foundation repair to address bowing and cracking cinder blocks in Brenda's basement. With strategic stabilization, we've reinforced the affected walls to improve structural integrity, supporting her plans to sell the home. This essential repair is valued at approximately $22,300, addressing her concerns about cost and ensuring a solid foundation.
Near Grand Rapids, MI
