COMMON EXAMPLES OF FOUNDATION DAMAGE INCLUDE:
- Doorways and window frames that “stick”
- Ceiling and plaster walls that crack
- Uneven floors
- Plumbing lines that leak or burst
- Windows leaking water into the home
- A roof that leaks or buckles
- Rainwater collecting around the home
FOUNDATION CRACKS PUT YOUR HOUSE IN JEOPARDY
Homes in the greater Los Angeles area often sit on foundations that are built on soil that is made up of soft clay. Such clay expands during the rainy seasons and then contracts during the dry seasons. These movements can cause concrete foundations that sit above the soil to buckle and crack. Moreover, other natural forces can also cause foundation damage. For example, water runoff that pools around the home can make a concrete foundation brittle and prone to cracking. Also, the violent shaking of earthquakes – so common in Southern California – only makes a precarious situation worse, with already-brittle foundations easily cracking from strong seismic activity.
If your home was subjected to earthquakes and water runoff, you may need basement waterproofing, leaky basement repair, basement wall sealing, or basement wall cracks repair.
IS ONE TYPE OF HOME MORE PRONE TO DAMAGE THAN OTHERS?
Foundation damage is especially common in homes built during the building boom of the 1950s and 60s. At that time, home builders poured unreinforced concrete slabs as thin as two inches over unstable top soil that was not properly compacted. Such early foundations are often found damaged today. Moreover, even foundations built earlier than the 1950s are also susceptible to cracking and damage, as they were often made out of unreinforced concrete or bricks / river rocks, held together with simple mortar.
HOW CAN I EVALUATE THE CONDITION OF MY FOUNDATION?
For most modern homeowners, their home is their most valuable investment. And yet few homeowners know whether or not their home’s foundation is in good condition. While it’s not always easy to tell whether a home’s foundation is damaged, if you can answer “Yes” to any one of the questions below, you should invite a professional to help you investigate the condition of your foundation!
- Is your floor level?
- If you put a marble on the floor, will it stay put or roll away?
- Are your doorways / window frames sticking?
- Are your windows leaking water into the home?
- Is your roof leaking or buckling?
- Does rainwater collect around your home?
- Is the stucco finish of your home cracked?
- Is your interior ceiling cracked?
- Does one side of your home appear lower?
- Are your plaster walls showing cracks?
- Is your plumbing bursting apart?
If you have experienced any one of the above issues, that could mean that your foundation is experiencing serious structural problems and needs an inspection and potentially a repair. And while you’re at it, you should also seek to determine if your home needs basement foundation waterproofing!
ARE FOUNDATION CRACK REPAIRS EXPENSIVE?
Many foundation cracks can be repaired easily if the damage is not too extreme. A basic crack repair typically involves filling the crack with epoxy that solidifies and connects the two separated concrete portions together. In other cases, metal straps can be used to bind the two concrete portions to one another. If the cracking is very extensive, the entire foundation may need to be replaced, which is a project that may take a few days to accomplish. One thing is certain: if your home has a damaged foundation, early repairs of minor damage are always going to be quicker and cheaper than waiting for the damage to become more severe. Taking care of foundation damage is a safety matter, as in some cases, for example during a strong earthquake, a cracked foundation can fall apart, causing the home above to slide off its concrete slab!
CONTRACTOR FOUNDATION REPAIR SPECIALISTS
If you are asking, “are there foundation specialists near me” or “are there foundation repair companies near me” then the answer is yes! Weinstein Construction’s foundation specialists are experts at waterproofing a basement wall and carrying out all manner of waterproofing and foundation repair activities! Our basement waterproofing experts can determine exactly how to undertake foundation cracks repair and other mitigation activities. Call Weinstein Construction’s experienced, licensed professionals and ask for a free, no-obligation inspection of your foundation and your basement foundation waterproofing needs. If your foundation is damaged in any way, Weinstein Construction has a solution to fit every budget and at the end of the day, knowing your foundation is well-maintained will allow you to sleep better at night, knowing your home is as safe and secure as it can be.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Only licensed general contractors who are specialists in foundation repair and replacement should handle foundation work. In California, seismic awareness and familiarity with our region’s expansive clay soils are critical features of such work. Although many contractors say they can do foundation work, very few actually have the experience to do so! Don’t compromise on experience! Weinstein Construction is fully licensed, bonded, and insured and we’ve built our reputation by delivering expert foundation repair services across greater Los Angeles for over 45 years.
Absolutely! Delaying repairs can lead to escalating damage and costs, including larger cracking, plate shifting, and plumbing hazards, among others. Not to mention the decreased property value that results from such issues! Investing in proven solutions like foundation cracks repair, foundation underpinning, or home leveling helps maintain your home’s safety and resale value. We design long-term fixes, not patch jobs, to make sure your investment is protected!
Top-tier companies like Weinstein Construction provide more than just basic repairs. Our services include slab foundation repair, pier and beam foundation restoration, crawl space waterproofing, drainage correction, and earthquake retrofitting, among others. Every project we undertake is tailored to the home’s specific needs!
Typically, homeowner’s insurance may cover foundation repairs if the damaged was caused by a covered event, for example a fire, water incidents (e.g., plumbing leaks or burst pipes), etc. Homeowners should definitely check their policy or call their agent to find out what their policy will cover. However, foundation issues resulting from normal wear and tear, neglect or poor maintenance, or faulty construction are typically not covered. Moreover, many standard policies don’t cover damage resulting from earthquakes or flooding, as for that you will need separate policies, if you can even obtain them in the first place (many insurance companies don’t write such policies anymore). Again, this is something you must check with your insurance agent!
You should seek out only a licensed, bonded, and insured contractor with deep experience in local soil conditions, seismic activity, and the latest foundation repair and replacement practices. Weinstein Construction is a Fema authorized and trained contractor that has been serving Los Angeles homeowners and businesses since 1977, offering trusted services like floor leveling, foundation replacement, and retaining wall construction. We offer no-obligation inspections, detailed reporting, and permanent solutions backed by warranty!
Each season has its advantages and disadvantages, when it comes to foundation repair. During the Rainy Season, foundation issues may become more visible, as rains tend to make cracks worse, but of course the rain creates moist soil which is harder to work with. Our Dry Season, which in Los Angeles is longer than the Rainy Season, makes soil more stable and easier to work with, but at the same time, Summer heat can make concrete expand and set too quickly, which is not ideal. Having said all that, look, good companies such as Weinstein Construction are experienced in providing clients with year round foundation repair in Los Angeles, so the main point for homeowners to consider is: don’t delay and schedule a free inspection right away to prevent any further structural issues. Any delays will only increase the damage and increase repair costs!
Foundation repair costs, even those to a raised foundation, can be done at a very reasonable cost. In Los Angeles, the average cost to repair a foundation can range from 1% to 3% of the value of the home, depending on the extent of the damage and the repair method required. Minor fixes, for example, foundation cracks that are up to ¼ inch wide can be filled with epoxy that solidifies and solidifies the concrete. If additional structural strength is needed, this can be provided by anchoring the concrete in place or adding reinforced steel rods. Major structural solutions such as complete foundation replacement are more involved, and its cost can typically range from 5% to 10% of the value of the home. Weinstein Construction offers free foundation inspections and detailed estimates, so you can make an informed decision without incurring any financial surprises.
Oh no, not every contractor is skilled enough to remove an old foundation and pour a new one! Unfortunately, some contractors hold themselves out as foundations experts even when they don’t have the right tools and experience to do this work. At the end of the day, foundation work must be done carefully, according to strict codes, and using correct, top-quality materials. This is not an easy process and if the job is not done right, the entire home can be seriously damaged. If you’re now asking, “are there foundation specialists near me” then the answer is yes! The professionals at Weinstein Construction are deeply experienced in foundation repair and replacement and are leaders in their field. We are all committed to helping you with all your foundation work!
Yes, while you won’t always know if your foundation is damaged just from walking around your home, there are some warning signs that, if you see them, should alarm you enough to call a foundation professional to come have a look. These warning signs include sloping, sagging, or cracking floors, gaps appearing between walls and floors, walls that begin to lean and bow, or sticking windows and doors. If you see any of these warning signs, give the foundation specialists at Weinstein Construction a call immediately!
Yes, foundation damage is most common in older homes. For example, foundations built earlier than the 1950s are very susceptible to cracking and damage, as they were typically made out of unreinforced concrete or bricks/river rocks, held together with simple mortar. Moreover, foundations built during the building booms of the 1950s and 60s are also very fragile, as they were also made from unreinforced concrete slabs as thin as two inches that were poured over unstable top soil that was not properly compacted. As a result, many old foundations are often found damaged today. If you live in an older home, you must inspect the condition of your foundation regularly!
Yes, indeed. Homes in Los Angeles typically have foundations that are built on soft clay soil that expands during our rainy season and contracts during our dry season. This back-and-forth movement often causes concrete foundations to shift and crack. Moreover, the strong seismic activity and violent shaking that is so common to Southern California puts incredible stress on already-brittle foundations, easily cracking them in multiple places. Finally, other local geographical natural forces such as water runoff also damages local foundations. If your home was subjected to earthquakes and water runoff, you may need basement waterproofing, leaky basement repair, basement wall sealing, basement wall cracks repair, or in the worst case, a full foundation replacement!
Typically, no, because most homeowners do not choose to purchase the expensive insurance policies that cover subsidence or landslide damage. As such, it is incredibly important for homeowners to be vigilant and inspect regularly their home’s foundation. It’s always going to be much cheaper and quicker to take care of minor damage today than have to pay for a full foundation replacement later on!
Even if your foundation is already damaged, you could get it repaired fairly easily if the damage is not too extensive. For example, foundation cracks up to a ¼ inch wide can be filled with epoxy that solidifies and reconnects the two portions of the foundation together. In other cases, reinforced steel rods can be anchored in place and sealed with new concrete. The professionals at Weinstein Construction can fill you in on all of these details – they have a solution to fit every budget!
There are a variety of different signs that your foundation needs repair. One of the most common signs is if you have cracks in your walls or ceilings. As well as squeaky floors when you are walking around. Cracked concrete floors are another major sign that your foundation is in need of repair. There are other problems that may not be even more serious, but can not be seen as easily. If you have any doubts about the stability of your home, do not wait! If you are not sure if you need a foundation repair, we will come to you for a FREE inspection. If there is a problem, we will find it!
TESTIMONIALS
Weinstein Construction redid my foundation and retaining wall and I’m very happy with the work!
We had our basement retrofitted. Very courteous to us, very attentive. I was very impressed with the people who came to do the job. They were polite, well dressed, and really seemed to know what they were doing. We feel a lot safer now than we would have otherwise.
We had used Weinstein to earthquake retrofit our house. First, my intention was to do it myself, but we got a very nice sales rep over and he went through the whole procedure and by putting a thought into I concluded that it was not worth it for me to spend 14 days under the house. They came out, a top professional crew, they did it in a day, and we really loved what they did.
We are pleased with the results. The people were on time, they were neat, clean, and even the “big boss” was very nice and accommodating, so we’re happy with the services.
I was very happy. Very clean job. Very satisfied, and I recommend it to everybody.
We had our house retrofitted. Immediately we noticed the stability of it, even when we walked the house. Now it’s so much better and it’s stabilized, we’re very confident. It went very well and we’re very pleased.
They did a great job, they were on time, clean, and the price was right. I recommend you do the same.
House was built in 1933. They did the right job, they did a very good job and we’re very happy with the results. I recommend them.
