RESIDENTIAL FOUNDATION REPAIR IN MARIN COUNTY, CA:
Every Marin County, California home needs a strong, durable foundation. Damage can occur at any time and be caused by a variety of problems, especially seismic activity. In order to keep your family safe and protect your assets, it is important to work with a Marin County foundation repair service to ensure your home’s foundation is in the best condition possible.
WHAT IS A RESIDENTIAL FOUNDATION?
A home’s foundation distributes the weight from load-bearing walls to the bedrock or soil on which the home is built. It also serves to keep groundwater and moisture out of the structure, which can cause serious damage. Topography and the type of lot on which the home is located can determine its foundational needs. The foundation is part of the structural system that supports and anchors the structure and transmits its load to the ground.
Foundations are divided into two main categories: shallow and deep. This refers to the soil depth in which the foundation is built. Shallow foundations can be as little as 3ft, while deep ones can be dug 60-200ft. Most residential foundations are shallow as the structures are smaller and lighter than many commercial buildings.
SIGNS OF FOUNDATION DAMAGE IN MARIN COUNTY RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES
- Sinking or settling
- Damp crawl spaces
- Doors failing to open or close properly
- Gaps around door and window frames
- Sagging floors
- Counters and cabinets separating from walls
- Upward movement of slab foundation
- Cracked floors and walls
OUR RESIDENTIAL FOUNDATION REPAIR PROCESS
Marin County homeowners are especially susceptible to residential foundation damage. It is often caused by seismic activity, which can cause cracks and other major movement that shifts the foundation out of place. Earthquakes release energy that pushes against homes from one direction. Foundations must be structured to push the opposite way, staying in place and protecting the structure. Water can also cause foundational damage in that the surrounding soil can swell or shrink. At VCE, our goal is to make sure every Marin County home is built on a strong foundation. We continue to work with clients after completion of repairs in order to ensure foundations are stable and durable.
On-Site Assessment – We start our foundation repair jobs with assessments conducted on-site. We take a number of factors into consideration in order to determine your home’s specific needs. Foundation damage can be caused by a variety of issues, so our technicians will examine the problem before deciding which repair methods are necessary.
Replacement of Unreinforced Materials – If our technicians find that the home’s foundation is unreinforced or disintegrating, we will make all necessary replacements and add new concrete. Walls may also need to be reinforced with plywood sheathing and concrete foundations.
Foundation Extensions – In Marin County, earthquake forces are amplified in water-saturated soils. This makes it impossible for them to support a home’s foundation. If we determine that the soil is contributing to the problem, the foundation may need to be reinforced and/or extended. If possible, we will extend the foundation into undisturbed soil.
Pier Installation – If we find that it is necessary, we will install concrete or steel piers until we reach a “point of refusal.” Foundation piers are forced downwards into the ground with a hydraulic jack as far as they are able to go.
Check out our answers to frequently asked questions related to foundation repair in Marin County.
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