Client News

Using Helical Piles to Repair Your Foundation

By Shawn Kyles

The purpose of a foundation is to support and spread the weight of the structure that sits on top of it. A foundation can become damaged due to poor soil conditions, moisture and foliage. Foundation problems can lead to cracks in walls and tiles, bowed walls and sloping floors. It can even become difficult to open and shut windows and doors. One solution to stabilizing foundations is the installation of helical piles, also referred to as screw piles. A helical pile is a steel shaft with blades attached in a spiral pattern. The pile is attached at the foundation on one end, and screwed into the ground on the other. Not only do they stabilize a structure, they can also increase load bearing capacities in a retrofit.

Helical piles were first used in the 1800’s for English lighthouse foundations. The first recording of their use was in 1836 by a blind brick maker and civil engineer named Alexander Mitchell. These days, helical piles are used all over the world on many kinds of projects, including excavation, anchoring pipelines and light poles, supporting transmission towers and tunnels, tiebacks for soil retaining walls, and tie downs for manufactured as well as residential and commercial buildings.

Helical piles are installed at intervals around the perimeter at affected locations. They are then extended to the depth needed for the load. Special brackets are used to secure the piles to the concrete foundation. The pile is then torqued into the soil and connected to each bracket. The nuts on the vertical bolts of the bracket are then tightened to lock off the load.

Some of the benefits of helical piles include fast and relatively easy installation, reduced costs compared to other forms of foundation repair, and extremely high load capacities. Other advantages include installation with minimal excavation and without heavy equipment, as well as low vibration. Helical piles can also be used with a variety of soil conditions. They are considered as an alternative to pressed pilings which are attached to concrete and steel blocks; and steel pilings, which are driven into solid rock.

If you have foundation damage, contact an experienced foundation repair company and request an inspection of your property. A foundation expert can give you useful feedback regarding the problems you are experiencing and their source. You can find out the best way to repair your foundation, and whether or not helical piles are the right solution for your situation.

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Julian Construction Launches Homeowner Earthquake-Ready Campaign

Company Says Education Key to Preventing Injuries and Damage

LOS ANGELES – Julian Construction, a Los Angeles based construction company that specializes in foundation repair and construction, today announced the launch of an educational campaign to help homeowners prevent earthquake injury and damage. The new initiative will include a series of articles on the company’s blog that focus on how to increase a home’s resistance to earthquakes, along with foundation inspections at no charge.

“The recent 5.7 earthquake in Southern California was followed by more than a dozen smaller quakes. It’s a good example of the type of on-going seismic activity we get in this region,” says Julian De La Torre, founder of Julian Construction. “Homeowners need to know how to keep themselves and their family safe during an earthquake by reducing the risk of structural failure.”

The company’s free foundation inspection checks foundation integrity, including poor construction, improperly done repairs, settling, shifting, bowing, cracks and other damage that can cause a house to slip off of its foundation during a quake. The inspection will also check for proper earthquake retrofitting, also known as house bolting, having been done.

Julian Construction is a Southern California leader in building retrofitting and foundation repair. Founder and retrofit expert Julian De La Torre, along with his partner Shawn Kyles, an expert in foundation repair and house bolting, have retrofitted more than 6,600 homes, apartments and commercial properties since the early 1990s.

The company, which is dedicated to building preservation and security, offers a wide variety of services designed to address individual structural needs. Julian Construction’s “no middlemen” (no salesmen, no subcontractors) business model, insures high quality work at affordable prices. They can be contacted by phone at 323 733-3377, by fax at 323 733-4477 or via their website, www.julianconstruction.com.

Home Foundation Contractor Gives No-Cost Foundation Inspections

Julian Construction Does Home Foundations Inspections at No Charge to Check for Damage Due to Fires, Heavy Rains, & Earthquakes

LOS ANGELES – Julian Construction, a Los Angeles based construction company that specializes in foundation repair and construction, is helping homeowners take preparedness measures for potential landslides and earthquakes by giving free home foundation inspections.

“The harsh temperature changes, heavy rainfall, and fires this past year have potentially affected foundation integrity in regions all over Southern California,” says Julian De La Torre, founder of Julian Construction, foundation contractors. “We want to ensure home properties are safe after environmental situations like this.”

A lot of people had to evacuate their homes because of the fires and subsequent rains. These people may have experienced relief when their tribulation was over, however Julian said, “Now they face a new danger, which is the potential instability of a home foundation which often arises from those circumstances.”

According to Julian, changes in hydrology and temperature can soften the soil and liquefy it, potentially causing problems with the integrity of the foundation. Even when it was deemed safe to return or remain home, the stability of a property’s foundation is unknown and should be tested.

Julian De La Torre and his partner Shawn Kyles have been retrofitting homes in Southern California since the early 1990s, and they work with both engineering firms and local departments of building and safety. As experts in foundation repair, Julian Construction is giving home foundation inspections at no charge. For those who need repair or retrofit, the company offers 0% financing.

Julian De La Torre has been doing earthquake retrofitting since the early 1990s and has personally worked on over 6,600 homes in Southern California. With this unmatched experience in the substructure areas of a home, Mr. De La Torre formed Julian Construction in 2001 with the goal of making safer homes, apartments and commercial properties throughout Southern California. His partner Shawn Kyles has inspected over 15,000 structures, working with both engineering firms and local departments of building and safety, and is an expert in foundation repair and house bolting. Julian Construction owns its own company and is built on a “no middlemen” model - no salesmen, no subcontractors. When you work with Julian Construction you get the principals of the company and workers of Julian Construction under your home. The result is the highest quality work at affordable prices. They can be contacted by phone at 323 733-3377, by fax at 323 733-4477 or via their website, www.julianconstruction.com.

Avoid Landslides: Get a Home Foundation Inspection

Foundation Contractor Julian Construction Advises Homeowners in Potential Landslide Areas to Get Foundation Inspected

LOS ANGELES – The recent killer landslide in Quebec brings concern to other corners of the world with homes in high-risk areas, prompting homeowners in various regions to get their home foundations inspected to avoid a similar tragedy.

“Foundations of a home can get damaged by water, especially after a heavy rain fall, and exposure to water accumulation can weaken not only hillsides, but foundations of a home as well,” says Julian De La Torre of Julian Construction, which specializes in foundation repair and construction.

Julian De La Torre has been retrofitting homes in Southern California since the early 1990s and urges homeowners to get their home foundations inspected. Julian reported, “Certain types of soil may be more stable than others, changes in hydrology and temperature can soften the soil and turn it to liquid, which can cause serious erosion to any kind of soil. This in turn can weaken the home foundation.”

Even when people return to their evacuated homes after it is deemed safe, the stability of their property and its foundation is still unknown. In an appeal to homeowners to get their home foundations checked, Julian Construction is giving home foundation inspections at no charge. For those who need foundation repair or retrofit, the company offers 0% financing.

“You shouldn’t wait until you have trouble opening doors and windows,” says Julian. “Damage to home foundations isn’t always so obvious and needs to be checked by experts.”

With soil stability having changed conditions due to the fires and heavy rains in Southern California, the integrity of home foundations might be at risk and should be tested. Because of its potential threat to homes, this extra precaution could save huge property loss, as well as save lives.

Julian De La Torre has been doing earthquake retrofitting and repairing foundations since the early 1990s and has personally worked on over 6,600 homes in Southern California. With this unmatched experience in the substructure areas of a home, Julian formed Julian Construction, foundation contractors, in 2001 with the goal of making safer homes, apartments and commercial properties throughout Southern California. His partner Shawn Kyles has inspected over 15,000 structures, working with both engineering firms and local departments of building and safety, and is an expert in foundation repair and house bolting. Julian Construction owns its own company and is built on a “no middlemen” model - no salesmen, no subcontractors. When you work with Julian Construction you get the principals of the company and workers of Julian Construction under your home. The result is the highest quality work at affordable prices. They can be contacted by phone at 323 733-3377, by fax at 323 733-4477 or via their website, www.julianconstruction.com.

So. California’s Rainfall Good News for Reservoirs – but How About Your Home’s Foundation?

Julian Construction Warns that Undetected Drainage Problems Can Damage Home Foundations

Founder of Julian Construction (www.julianconstruction.com), Julian De La Torre, knows we need the rain after several years of drought. “We have exceeded the annual rainfall average in Los Angeles two and half months early. That is good news for the Southland overall, but we are seeing more and more instances on home foundations damaged by water.” Julian said. “Exposure to water accumulation and soil erosion can weaken foundations and cause problems.”

Annual rainfall, measured from July 1 in one year to June 30^th of the next, is about 15 inches for Los Angeles. So far this year we have had more than 16 inches and we may get still more before the end of the 2009 – 2010 season on July 30^th. Water accumulation can damage the concrete in foundations and can erode the soil on which footings rest. Homes built on slabs can be adversely affected in the same way.

“Don’t wait until your doors and windows won’t close or your house begins to tilt.” Julian continued. “Just get your home foundation inspected. Foundations are not a part of the home where damage makes itself immediately obvious to the average person so it makes sense to bring in experts. Especially when the inspection is free.”

Julian Construction is offering an inspection of your home’s foundation at no charge. For those who need to finance any needed repair or retrofit, Julian Construction offers 0% financing.

Julian De La Torre has been retrofitting since the early 1990s and has personally worked on over 6,600 homes in Southern California. With this unmatched experience in the substructure areas of a home, Mr. De La Torre formed Julian Construction in 2001 with the goal of making safer homes, apartments and commercial properties throughout Southern California. His partner Shawn Kyles has inspected over 15,000 structures, working with both engineering firms and local departments of building and safety, and is an expert in foundation repair and house bolting. Julian Construction owns its own company and is built on a “no middlemen” model - no salesmen, no subcontractors. When you work with Julian Construction you get the principals of the company and workers of Julian Construction under your home. The result is the highest quality work at affordable prices. They can be contacted by phone at 323 733-3377, by fax at 323 733-4477 or via their website, www.julianconstruction.com.