Does Your Foundation Need an Inspection?

If the foundation of your home is unstable, damaged, or weak, it puts at risk not just the structural integrity and value of the building, but also the safety of its residents.

A foundation that performs well in these three regards can be called structurally sound. To ascertain whether or not your foundation is structurally sound, a foundation inspection is conducted by a licensed contractor. Alpha Structural’s team of structural specialists are highly trained and licensed to perform structural inspections.

We also can provide quality solutions should we find issues during the inspection process. Regardless of the type of foundation your property has, foundations must meet a few basic criteria to pass an inspection:

The ability to act as a barrier to water and soil vapor
Resistance to groundwater

Signs YouMay Need a Foundation Inspection

There are many reasons that may prompt scheduling a LA foundation inspection. If you notice signs of a weak or damaged foundation, it is crucial to book an inspection of your foundation immediately. These warning signs include:

Fractures in exterior walls
Fractures in interior walls, foundation walls
Cracks around door and window frames
Separation of walls from adjoining walls, floors, ceilings, or cabinets
Doors or windows not opening or closing properly

In some cases, these signs may not be the result of a foundation issue, but in case it is, it is better diagnosed sooner than later. Delaying foundation repair can lead to more extensive damage in the future that calls for much more large-scale and expensive repairs.

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Process of Foundation Inspection

A thorough inspection of the foundation of a building entails several things. First and foremost, a visual assessment of the foundation is conducted. The structural engineers conducting the inspection take a look at the foundation walls and check for symptoms of structural movement such as cracks on walls or ceilings and slanting floors.

Signs of moisture and mildew in the basement are taken into account. The perimeter of the house as well as the crawl space, if present, are also checked. A visual inspection of the surrounding landscape is also performed. All the while, the engineers communicate their findings to you and answer any questions that you may have. Finally, a stamped engineer report of the findings is handed to you. This may contain findings, diagnosis, photos, as well as suggestions on the type of repair required, if at all. Our team of highly qualified structural engineers here at Alpha Structural conduct a thorough and in-depth foundation inspection so that even the smallest detail does not go unnoticed.

Benefits of Foundation Inspection

Getting your foundation inspected regularly yields many rewards, especially in terms of the long-term health of your property. A foundation inspection reveals very useful information about the structure, such as whether or not the building is safe to occupy, if any existing cracks or fractures threaten the structural integrity of the building, or if the foundation has shifted and how it affects the rest of the building. Not only can this information bring peace of mind, but it can also prevent much more extensive damage to the structure.

Your Foundation Inspection

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 foundation inspection Los Angeles residents can call or email today to schedule a consultation.

LA Foundation Inspection FAQ

What does a foundation inspection entail?

While different contractors follow different methods, a good foundation inspection involves a few basic steps such as a visual assessment of the foundation, a visual assessment of the landscape around it, on-site communication, and a stamped report that states the findings of the assessment.

How much does a typical foundation inspection cost?

Several things such as project complexity, square footage, building location, and access to the foundation affect the cost of the assessment. If you are interested in learning more, email or call Alpha Structural to set up an assessment and get an estimate.

Request Inspection Or 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.

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