Structural foundation assessments

It wouldn’t be wrong to say that your foundation is responsible for holding your residence upright. A potential structural issue can wreak havoc on your property.

Not only will you spot cracks in the floor, walls, and ceiling, but you’ll also notice moisture and humidity around your property.

However, contacting a structural foundation assessment expert on time can save you thousands of dollars down the line.

Our network of foundation repair professionals provides you value for every dollar spent. Our professional team takes on your job immediately after your first phone call.

Our experts assess your property for current and potential foundation damages and offer a solution accordingly.

Types of structural foundation assessments in Santa Cruz

A structural foundation assessment typically involves skilled Santa Cruz Foundation Repair professionals or foundation engineers visually inspecting your home. This inspection determines whether your property is appropriately constructed or can withstand heavyweights.

Besides, the experts see if the structure of your Santa Cruz home is maintained well. This ensures that your home will be secure in the long run. Again, you also learn helpful information about your home. For instance, you get to know if your property is safe or whether it was built well.

Note that foundation assessment isn’t necessary only after spotting visible structural damage signs. It is always better to utilize this service to prevent structural problems in the foreseeable future. Besides, it also saves you costs that come with severe foundation damage.

Level A foundation assessments

If you’re concerned about your home’s foundation, a Level A foundation is the way to go. Our dedicated Santa Cruz Foundation Repair team has performed numerous level A assessments and has spotted issues that might lead to potential problems.

Simply put, our foundation inspection services have benefitted many. Besides, if the thought of foundation assessment makes you nervous because it involves digging holes in your walls or concrete, fret not.

Our engineers do not dig holes in the level A assessment. Instead, they tour your home and observe its interior and exterior. This helps them understand the current problems or the issues that may arise in the future. They also might record the elevation readings with a digital manometer. Visual observation and assignments help identify the foundation issues and solutions that fix them before they turn into significant problems.

Framing assessments

A structural frame consists of several elements that resist the entire structure’s loads and keep the other systems together. Clients often contact us for framing assessments during their Santa Cruz home construction. This allows our experts to spot and expose issues that might create foundational problems after construction.

Flood or fire damaged home assessments

A home exposed to fire or flood gets damaged in split seconds. The floodwater weakens the base and the walls, whereas the fire wreaks havoc on the entire building.

So, while your initial Santa Cruz home construction might be solid, a fire outbreak or a natural disaster like a flood can deteriorate it. If you recently encountered any of these issues, do not hesitate to contact us. An early assessment will fix structural problems before things get worse.

Reasons to have a structural foundation assessment

There could be various reasons you might want to reach out to experts for a foundation assessment. Here is what else might encourage you to:
You’re selling your home: If you’re trying to sell your home, it is always wise to get a structural inspection that can be flagged during the pre-sale home assessment. This will help you spot issues that might need fixation.

You’re purchasing one: Do you plan to buy a home? If yes, make sure you go for a structural assessment. It will save you from buying a home with significant problems. Besides, it can help you negotiate the price of the house you’re willing to purchase.

Cracked and sinking foundation: Regardless of your residential area, thawing spells can destroy your foundation. They may break your home walls or cause moisture issues. Besides, cracks and leaning foundation walls are warning signs. Go for an assessment as soon as possible and repair mild problems before they become severe.

Redesigning and remodeling home: If you’re redesigning your home, take it as a chance to hire a reliable foundation assessment company and check underlying foundation problems. An expert will highlight the structural issues, and you can get them fixed on the spot.

Consider house leveling

The thought of house leveling can overwhelm any homeowner. Perhaps this explains why many people overlook fixing this critical issue. However, ignoring the early signs will only cost you more in the long run.

Therefore, when you spot foundation damage, ensure you address it immediately by contacting us.

Regardless of the underlying cause, our professionals will repair your foundation and bring it into its original form, restoring its aesthetics.

Our dedicated team not only levels your home but also identifies the root cause contributing to the structural damages. They begin by fixing the very issue causing foundation problems in your home.

On top of that, our team provide tips and tricks to keep your home from structural damage in the future.

What Is House Leveling?

House leveling is a process that involves repairing your Santa Cruz home to level it and bring it back to its original position. This allows you to address apparent and non-apparent foundation problems.

Generally, slabs can be 1.5 inches out of level. When a property moves, the goal of leveling is to get it back to where it was before moving, but not all homeowners notice visible signs. A few pointers are challenging to observe.

However, professional contractors are skilled at spotting visible and hidden structural damages. This keeps you from potentially life-threatening events – a significant reason you must consider annual home foundation assessments.

Note that the longer you wait to fix this issue, the more severe the repair will be. Besides, it’ll also escalate the costs. Therefore, paying attention is always better than aggregating the problem.

Signs your Santa Cruz house needs leveling

Are you uncertain when your home might need leveling? If yes, here are a few signs to consider.

    • Wall Cracks – Wall cracks are the most significant indicator that a house moves from its original position. If your home is made of bricks, you’ll spot cracks in the exterior. You can check for cracks in the mortar and contact us accordingly.
    • Crooked Doors and Windows – Your home doors and windows are meant to open quickly and smoothly. If they are acting up, you may have a structural issue. Generally, your doors and windows tend to stick and become hard. However, not all crooked windows and doors signify a structural issue. For example, wooden windows and doors often get sticky during a particular season. Only a foundation repairing professional can tell you what’s causing a problem at your end.
    • Uneven Floor – Did you notice sloping or uneven floors? If yes, they might be due to foundational damage. Sagging floors are one of the most significant warning signs you need to take action and fix the structural issue.
    • Wall and Ceiling Gaps – Shifting foundations can also result in gaps between your ceiling and walls. Because this sign is the most intimidating of all, a few homeowners consider taking action only against this one. However, no matter how big or small, you shouldn’t overlook structural damage.

Get in Touch With Us

We want to hear from you about your home foundation concerns. No job in is too big or too small for our experienced team!

House leveling foundation types

There are several ways to level home, and your foundation type will determine an appropriate method to fix the issue. Another factor that determines which leveling method you need is the type of foundation problem. Only an expert can guide you about a suitable leveling method that works to your satisfaction

Pier and Beam Foundation: This type of house leveling features three primary steps. First, our network of foundation repair professionals build a concrete foundation around your home. Next, they install columns or concrete pads inside the beam perimeter. Generally, the concrete pads are mounted in 9–10-foot centers. Lastly, the leveling process is completed by placing wood beams on the edge and interior columns.

This foundation repair type is a bit expensive and is used for homes that need leveling high above the ground level – consider flood cases. Besides, block and base are popular alternatives to pier and beam solutions. The former works the same way as the latter, except it doesn’t involve engineers placing concrete foundation beams around your home perimeter.

Slab Foundation: A slab foundation typically features concrete. This involves experts placing a massive concrete sheet on the ground. Generally, slabs are around 5-6 inches thick, and their outer parts are approximately 25-35 inches deep. This allows for more weight around your home’s perimeter.

The deeper part of the slab is known as the beam, and the beams are placed in a crisscross pattern to harden the slab’s center. Professionals use tension cables or steel rods to install foundations.

Crawl Space Foundations: If you have a crawl space underneath your home, your property will be much easier to level up. Because crawl space offers enough space to work, the process becomes less time-consuming as well.

One of the simplest ways to level your home involves using a chemical mixture to balance the soil below your property. For instance, professionals might use rods or braces to fix sagging floors or cracked walls.

What factors determine the cost of house leveling in Santa Cruz?

Individuals often question the cost of house leveling. Because the project is not simple, people assume running into hefty home repairs.

Fortunately, our network of foundation repair professionals are among the top Foundation Repair experts in Santa Cruz that keeps your budget in mind. Eventually, our team draft a cost-effective plan that doesn’t compromise on quality either.

Generally speaking, the costs may vary depending on your foundation type, current damage severity, and the underlying issue causing the problem.

House lifting

There could be several reasons you might want to go for a house lift. Regardless of the cause that encourages you to take this decision, our network of foundation repair professionals at your service to offer quality work.

House lifting is not an overnight process. Instead, it requires extensive work and time to complete lifting a home.

Fortunately, our network of foundation repair professionals are well-versed in home lifting. Not only do they reduce the time involved in the procedure, but they also provide quality services that speak about their experience.

What is house lifting?

House lifting, as the name suggests, is the process of raising a home slightly above its current foundation. Experts elevate your home between 5-12 feet, depending on why you’re going for one.

However, note that this elevation height is flexible and may vary slightly from company to company – or the reason behind home lifting. Besides, our experts use varying techniques to lift your home, from hydraulic screw jacks to the arrow lift structural lifting system.

For the most part, house raising involves lifting the house and bracing it, lifting it again, and repeating the same process. Yes, the original procedure is a bit more complex and challenging, but it’s the same. The standard method involves professionals elevating your home using hydraulic jacks and supporting it using temporary supports known as cribs. Then, they dig holes to install beams. As soon as a series of steel beams and jack are put into place, your home begins to elevate.

Reasons you might need a house lift on your Santa Cruz property

Generally, people assume the only reason you may need a house lift is because of structural damages. However, numerous causes surround why you may want to go for one. Below, we’ve discussed some.

    1. Adding Height

Maybe you’re among the homeowners who wish to build a gym or an office in your basement, but you do not have a basement to begin with. Therefore, you may want to go for a house lift to add more space to accommodate your hobbies or work.

    1. Maintaining Your Home

A house elevation won’t only give space for additional rooms; it’ll also preserve your home’s foundation. Besides, it helps spot structural damages and fix them before they turn into a nightmare.

    1. And Finally, Structural Repairs

Perhaps you recently identified a foundation issue, and an expert recommended to you a house lift. Thankfully, they suggested right. House lifting exposes underlying structural problems and helps experts take suitable actions accordingly.

House Lifting for Foundational Repairs

Underpinning is one of the most common ways to strengthen your home foundation. Two standard methods involved in reinforcement include helical and push piers.

Push Piers: The professionals use the following procedure to lift your home using push piers.

  • To begin with, our knowledgeable engineers locate the areas where push piers will be placed.
  • Next, they excavate the areas to expose the footing
  • Then, attach steel brackets to the footing
  • Using a hydraulic machine, push steel piers into the ground and lift your property to its original position.

Helical Piers: Helical piers appear like massive corkscrews. Here’s how our team stabilizes your home using helical piers:

  • It all starts from locating and marking the areas to place the push piers
  • After that, they excavate the areas to expose the footing and install helical piers cautiously
  • As soon as the pile reaches load-bearing soil, they cut off the piers at the precise height
  • Then use a hydraulic machine to lift and stabilize your home

Preparing Your Home for Lifting

House-raising is not a one-day process. Even when experts take steps to expedite it, the procedure takes time and can get daunting.

Therefore, you need to take steps to prepare your home for lifting. Not only does it make it easier for us to lift your home, but it also protects your valuable items.

  1. Make sure you clean your crawl space before we arrive at your location. Working in a basement occupied with trash, storage items, or appliances makes the process even more time-consuming.
  2. Do not forget to remove the plumbing and pipes below the floor joists.
  3. You do not necessarily need to move the items inside your home. We lift your home slowly and smoothly, and it doesn’t weigh your valuable possessions. However, if you’re cautious about your belongings, consider packing them.