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Lack of building codes- or outdated ones- are another concern.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 a challenging water intrusion problem in a basement with several vertical cracks in a poured wall. Our team applied a dedicated waterproofing solution to prevent further water entry, ensuring the affected area stays dry and secure. This comprehensive service, valued at around $4,300, provided a solid defense against moisture in the 48912 area for Charlie.
Near Lansing, MI
We addressed structural issues in Nathan's crawl space in zip code 48906, where noticeable sinking was evident in several rooms. Our team installed supportive metal piers to stabilize the home's foundation, effectively counteracting the sloping floors and bowing walls. This vital repair was carried out at approximately $8,280, ensuring a safer living environment.
Near Lansing, MI
Addressed water intrusion in a corner of Denise's basement in zip code 48911. We focused on ensuring that the basement remains dry, effectively tackling the issue that occurs during rainfall. This essential service was completed around a cost of $24,800, providing peace of mind and structural stability.
Near Lansing, MI
We've tackled a water intrusion issue in Cecil's basement, primarily stemming from the floor area. Our team employed advanced waterproofing techniques to address the problem and prevent future occurrences. This essential service, priced at roughly $21,365, ensures that the basement remains dry and the foundation stable.
Near Lansing, MI
Recently estimated and installed a sump pump to address and prevent water intrusion in Brandy's basement, located in zip code 48915. This essential waterproofing solution, costing approximately $1,750, ensures a dry and secure environment.
Near Lansing, MI
Emanuel's basement in zip code 48906 needed urgent attention due to bowing walls and water intrusion issues. Our team reinforced the foundation walls to stabilize the structure and prevent further damage. This crucial repair was essential for maintaining the safety and integrity of the home, with an approximate cost of $7,000.
Near Lansing, MI
Transformed an aging basement in the 48915 area with a comprehensive waterproofing and encapsulation solution. Our team focused on addressing the standing water issue in the coal bin room by installing a robust drainage system and sealing the cinderblock walls to prevent further damage. This project, valued at around $4,800, enhances the basement’s durability and usability.
Near Lansing, MI
Just wrapped up a waterproofing job for David in Lansing, zip code 48917. We tackled a significant crack in the basement wall, ensuring water won't infiltrate during rainstorms. This essential work highlights our commitment to keeping foundations dry and secure, all completed for about $3,600.
Near Lansing, MI
Lori's century-old house in zip code 48910 required immediate attention due to dry-rotted and cracked basement floor joists. Our team replaced and reinforced these crucial structural elements, ensuring the stability and safety of the home. This thorough foundation repair was carried out for approximately $15,000.
Near Lansing, MI
