Research Foundation RepairCost, maintenance and more

Los Angeles Foundation Repair

How to recognize and repair foundation problems in Los Angeles, California

With more than 60 earthquake faults in the area, Los Angeles sits in a very active seismic region. Because of this ever present threat, it is important to have a stable foundation that will support your home in the event of a major earthquake. Unfortunately, many homes in the area were built long ago and have failing foundations or are not up to current codes. If you are concerned about the integrity of your foundation, have a professional out to inspect its condition and recommend necessary repairs.

Find a foundation repair contractor

Foundation Basics
Maintaining a Foundation

There are various indicators of foundation problems that you can watch for both inside and outside your home. Causes for concern inside are cracks in your ceiling, walls or fireplace mortar, sticky doors or windows, crown molding or trim that is separating from the walls, crinkles appearing in wallpaper and floors that seem un-level. On the exterior of your home you should watch for cracks between bricks or stone, expansion joints widening at the top or bottom of walls, gaps appearing around window panes and an uneven roof line.

Depending on the extent of damage to your foundation, there are many different repair options. Sometimes house bolting, often called seismic retrofitting, is all that is required to bring your foundation up-to-par. This process consists of using hardware, plywood and framing lumber to reinforce the foundation. However, if cracking, settling, shifting, rotating, deterioration or other severe problems have occurred, piering or slabjacking may be required to stabilize the failing foundation. In the worst of cases, the entire foundation or at least portions may need to be replaced entirely.

Many homeowners in the Los Angeles area go for years without thinking about their foundations. However if there are any problems with your foundation, they are likely posing a risk to your structure. If your home was built more than 20 years ago it is wise to take a look at the foundation. Furthermore, if you are purchasing a home, make sure the inspector thoroughly evaluates the stability of the foundation. If you spot anything suspicious have a professional out to assess the situation. There may be an underlying cause that needs to be addressed such as poor drainage or improper compaction.

As the old adage says, it’s better to be safe than sorry. This is especially true when it comes to foundation repair in Los Angeles where earthquakes are a fact of life. Make sure your home makes it through all the shaking with a properly stabilized foundation.