What to Expect with Foundation Replacement
If you’ve recently had your home inspected for earthquake retrofitting and/or foundation repair only to find out that you need a complete foundation replacement, you might be concerned about the time and the cost to fix this issue.
Foundation replacement is a necessary structural repair when a foundation has deteriorated beyond restoration. In fact, trying to repair a foundation that has sustained this type of damage is more expensive than replacing the entire system.
Here are a few of the warning signs of a home needing foundation replacement:
- Sloping or uneven floors.
- Visible cracks in the ceilings.
- Gaps or pulling from the walls and floors.
- Walls that appear to lean or bow.
- The appearance of floor cracks.
If you’ve recently discovered your home needs a foundation replacement, it’s imperative that you act fast. Homes needing foundation replacement lack the proper strength and durability to support the weight of the structure. If left as is, this leaves the property incredibly vulnerable to any sort of seismic activity or flooding – situations where either scenario could destroy it.
Unfortunately, foundation replacement is needed in most older homes throughout Southern California. This is in large part because of outdated building methods, but it can also result from improperly compacted soil, poor or outdated building materials, low quality concrete mix, a foundation that was not allowed to cure for long enough, or the foundation was built using materials like brick, stone, or other masonry.
While every home is unique and may pose it’s own set of issues during foundation replacement, the general process follows 8 simple steps:
- First, a foundation replacement company like Julian Construction will shore up the house. This is the process of transferring the weight of the house to a temporary shoring so that the existing foundation does not bear any load.
- Next, it’s time to remove the foundation. This is typically a straightforward process, especially since most homes needing foundation replacement do not have any form of steel reinforcement.
- A trench is dug underneath the home to allow for the new footing of the foundation to be constructed and installed.
- Treated lumber is installed to provide solid anchoring and new bolts before the concrete is poured.
- Steel rebar is installed throughout the trench to reinforce the new foundation.
- Concrete is pumped into the forms and allowed plenty of time to cure properly. This step can take up to 3 days before the wooden forms are removed.
- The wooden forms are removed, and the home is attached to its new foundation!
- Once the job has been completed, the city will inspect the work and make sure the replacement follows all current building codes and local ordinances.
While every foundation replacement can vary in time, most jobs can be successfully completed in one to two weeks.
If you think your home may be in need of foundation replacement, contact Julian Construction today and we will send one of our foundation specialists out to conduct a free, thorough inspection with a quote for repair.
We have extensive experience serving our Los Angeles community and nearby regions. In fact, Julian Construction has inspected over 30,000 structures in the area! Give us a call at (323) 733-3377 to schedule your free inspection or complete the inspection request form on our website.
