What Causes Foundation Failure?
Like most things in life, foundations degrade over time. There are several reasons why foundation failure can occur, many of which are due to natural elements.
Check out some of the most common reasons foundations fail below:
Evaporation: When humidity drops, dry temperatures can cause the soil beneath your home to shrink and contract. This decreases the strength of the soil and leaves your foundation without the support it needs to maintain its integrity.
Drainage issues or leaks from plumbing: Oftentimes, plumbing systems in your home may be leaking without notice. When this happens, the leaks can saturate the soil beneath your home which adds instability and pressure to your foundation.
The same poor soil conditions can likewise occur from inadequate or improper drainage systems like rain gutters or other household drains, which can saturate the soil and cause it to expand.
Poor soil preparation: If the soil beneath your home was not properly prepared when the home was built and the foundation was laid, soil that hasn’t been compacted correctly can cause shifts in the foundation.
Poor soil conditions: Sometimes, the climate of your region just doesn’t allow for proper soil density and compaction. When there are poor soil conditions, the soil beneath your home foundation will expand and contract, which damages the foundation.
Poor foundation construction: Building and safety codes have immensely changed in the last decade, which means some homes were constructed with outdated building codes. Homes lacking the appropriate amount of steel rebar in its construction will impact how long the foundation will last before degradation or failure occurs.
As a homeowner, it’s important to stay on top of all repairs throughout your home – especially your foundation.
If you live in California and own an older property, foundation repair is a necessary safeguard for protecting those who reside there and for maintaining the value of your property, and the integrity of the structure.
At Julian Construction, we’ll help you find the best solution for your foundation needs and foundation problems.
No matter what your foundation situation is, we’ll conduct a (free) inclusive home inspection, followed by a detailed consultation, and at the end of our discussion we’ll provide you with a quote for repair.
Julian De La Torre is an expert in Los Angeles foundation inspection, foundation contractors, earthquake retrofitting, foundation repair and foundation replacement. Julian’s company, Julian Construction, has inspected over 30,000 structures, working with engineering firms and local departments of building & safety. The company has done more foundation repair and earthquake retrofitting in Los Angeles than any other company in the area over the last five years.
