Do You Have Uneven Floors? Here’s How House Leveling Works
Thanks to California’s active seismic zones, many structures will develop a slope and become unleveled over time. This is commonly found on properties that have been built on expansive soil, where foundation settlement is unavoidable.
When a house becomes sloped or unleveled, a homeowner will typically see signs of foundation damage like uneven floors, cracked walls and ceilings, or doors and windows that do not open or close correctly.
Luckily, trained foundation specialists like Julian Construction can bring your home back to a level position, keeping your family and your property safe.
There are several ways a contractor may level your home. If your foundation issues are the result of foundation settlement, your foundation repair contractor may employ a jack to raise your home to a level position. While your home is raised, the contractor will examine the root of your home’s foundation settlement and implement a solution, so the problem does not persist.
A contractor may also suggest installing house leveling supporters. This is done by fitting metal or concrete supports into the foundation. Supports may be driven into the ground or installed under the home, in the crawl space, to support the structure’s weight.
Sometimes house leveling issues are the result of rotten wood. If this is the case, a contractor will repair or replace the wooden joists that are used to support your home’s foundation. By replacing the damaged wood, the foundation will rest evenly.
Because of California’s expansive soil, it’s also up to the homeowner to make sure the house stays level after foundation repair. Extra care should be taken to ensure standing water and other aspects of the home’s irrigation system are kept away from its foundation. When the soil beneath the home becomes extremely wet, this can cause it to move, making the property structurally unbalanced.
Julian De La Torre is an expert in Los Angeles foundation inspection, foundation contractors and foundation repair. Julian’s company, Julian Construction, has inspected over 15,000 structures, working with engineering firms and local departments of building & safety. The company has done more foundation repair in Los Angeles than any other company in the area over the last five years.
