There are times when a foundation is no longer salvageable and will need to be completely replaced.
The damage may be too serious and widespread, which may have compromised the foundation to the point that it can no longer safely stabilize and support your home. In these cases, foundation replacement is the best solution. Replacing a foundation is, in theory, a straightforward process, but in practice, there are several factors that will affect the entire process. In the end, however, your home will be stable once more as it sits on the newly installed foundation.
By replacing your entire foundation, you can save time in the long run from attempting a series of smaller repairs that might end up causing further damage or simply not be strong enough, particularly in cases of environmental stresses like erosion or earthquakes.
In Los Angeles Foundation replacement will stop further property damage and prevent future water problems. It will also increase your home value and curb appeal. Most of all, it will give you peace of mind knowing that your home’s structural integrity is secure.
There are several steps involved in replacing your home’s foundation. This begins with an inspection, followed by engineering plans - all before any actual changes occur. Depending on the size of the foundation, the location of your home, and environmental factors, the timeline can lengthen. Most times, foundation replacement can take anywhere from two weeks up to a month before it is complete.
After your home’s foundation has been replaced, the exterior and interior should be much improved. While cracks may still need to be repaired, there shouldn’t be any new ones. In addition, sunken spots or sticking points in door frames should also be fixed.
After your foundation has been inspected and engineering plans have been approved, there will be heavy equipment brought in to excavate soil and expose the foundation around your home. Anything located near or around the foundation, including foliage, walkways, porches, and steps would then be removed.
After that, your home will be lifted, or “jacked up” on temporary supports. This allows the foundation walls and slab to be removed. The new foundation is then poured and allowed to set according to the engineering plans. Afterward, your house is lowered back into place, the soil is replaced, and other landscaping or move parts of your home are built back in their original position as closely as possible from before.
After your home’s foundation has been replaced, the structural integrity of the entire building will be restored. Your new foundation will be reinforced against water damage and other changes in the soil from issues such as erosion or vibration, resulting in a much more secure home and peace of mind for you. Finally, the overall value of your house will go up.
After 25 years in business, Alpha Structural is a leading company for foundation repair in Los Angeles and all of South California. The in-house engineers and technicians have a combined level of experience worth over 850 years, making Alpha Structural highly capable of completing Foundation Replacement and other kinds of foundation repairs. To find out if your home is in need of Foundation Replacement Los Angeles residents can call or email to set up a consultation today.
There are several signs that indicate that your home’s foundation has developed issues and may need replacement. This includes cracks on the inside walls ¼” or wider, on the foundation, on the exterior concrete, and diagonal cracks around your windows. There may also be sticking doors and windows, bowing walls (particularly if there’s a basement), and uneven or buckled flooring.
Costs for foundation replacement are affected by various factors, such as the size of the foundation, the type of foundation, what kind of ground the foundation is built on, if there is a slope the foundation is built into (and how sharp that slope is), and how extensive any structural damages are by that point. You will need an inspection of the foundation beforehand, so make sure to schedule a consultation with Alpha Structural.
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.