Brick foundations are fairly common throughout Los Angeles and its surrounding areas such as Long Beach, South Pasadena, and Pasadena.
Despite the curb appeal, however, properties with brick foundations that were built before 1920 may lack the necessary structural reinforcement that would enable them to withstand earthquakes and other such calamities. Brick foundations, much like stone foundations, are classified as unreinforced masonry which means that they often cannot resist seismic stresses. It is crucial that you identify whether or not you truly have an all-brick foundation before you take steps to secure it. Many buildings have a brick veneer that covers the original concrete foundation. While finding foundation repair or replacement services for a brick foundation is not difficult, the same cannot be said about brick foundations as they are decreasing in popularity. Alpha Structural is one of the top companies that specialize in brick foundation repair Los Angeles has to offer and has over 25 years of experience in this field.
The mortar that is used to hold the bricks in a brick foundation together tends to degrade over time. Bricks will ultimately fall out, seriously compromising the structural integrity of your home. It is of the utmost importance that you look out for red flags that hint at a failing brick foundation and take immediate action if you do notice any of the signs. Some of these warning signs include:
Since brick foundations are much more vulnerable to damage from earthquakes or poor drainage than concrete foundations, it is vital to be on the lookout for these signs and take prompt action. If you notice any of the above signs, call or email Alpha Structural to book an inspection immediately.
When it comes to brick foundations, simply making amendments to or replacing some or all parts of the foundation would not suffice.
While there are several different ways of repairing a distressed brick foundation, it is typically recommended that a concrete sister foundation be built along its inside. In some cases, a full foundation replacement may be necessary. Since brick foundations are highly susceptible to damage from seismic activity, wet soil, and deterioration of the mortar, simply replacing the damaged parts is not a viable long-term solution. Installing a sister foundation radically improves the structural integrity of your property. Besides performing exceptionally well, this solution is far more economical than other repair methods and provides greater value for money.
While making repairs to your brick foundation may seem intimidating, it is immensely beneficial to the overall health of your property. A faulty or distressed foundation leaves your property at risk of extensive damage or collapse. A shifting and settling foundation also causes cosmetic damages to your home which take time and money to repair.
Alpha Structural, in addition to having been in business for over 25 years, has upwards of 850 years of combined technical experience. Our in-house engineers and technicians are among the most experienced in Los Angeles and all of Southern California. If you would like to know more about how brick foundation repair can support your structure for years to come, call, or email today to schedule a consultation.
To determine whether or not your property truly needs foundation repair, you must look for signs that point towards a distressed foundation. This includes cracks in exterior, interior, or foundation walls, uneven floors, and doors or windows that do not open and shut properly, among others.
The approximate cost of repairing a brick foundation depends entirely on the extent of its damage and what caused it. If you are interested in learning more, email, or call Alpha Structural to set up an inspection and get an estimate.
A foundation is more than just the bottom floor of your property. It is the base that supports everything you work so hard to protect. At Alpha Structural, Inc., we treat each project with that level of responsibility and respect. That’s why families and businesses across Los Angeles choose us to protect the structures that protect them. If you want your foundation built to the Alpha Standard, contact us today to schedule an inspection.