Thursday, June 30, 2016

Julian Construction Offers House Leveling

LOS ANGELES, CA: Julian Construction, Inc., (http://www.julianconstruction.com), a foundation repair and construction company in Los Angeles, offers house leveling services.

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 cause a house to fall out of level (parts of the foundation are lower or higher than others). This can cause cracks in walls, “soft” spots in floors, doors and windows that stick, bowed walls, and of course sloping floors.

The house leveling process varies depending on the type of foundation, but generally, the technician will go beneath the house and work section-by-section raising the house with a hydraulic or screw jack and inserting shims (thin pieces of wood or metal) to adjust the level of each area. When they’re done, you will have a straighter, stronger, more stable home and can then fix any cosmetic issues that were caused by the house not being level.

Julian De La Torre, founder and owner of Julian Construction, stated: “Many people who have non-level floors in their home, just live with the problem for years or decades. A floor that is not level can be made level, improving the quality of life for all the residents of that home. An inspection by a foundation specialist can tell you what can be done and what the expense will be. Often the expense is less than you might think, or financing can help.”

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. You can see tips and advice about home foundations on their blog, at http://julianconstruction.com/blog/

How to Tell If Your Foundation is Damaged

Los Angeles Foundation Contractor shares warning signs of foundation damage

Julian Construction (http://www.julianconstruction.com) a foundation repair and foundation construction company in Los Angeles, shares some information on how to tell if your home’s foundation is damaged.
The signs of a damaged foundation aren’t always obvious, especially if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Some of the signs of foundation damage that you should look for include:
  • Sloping, or dipped floors, especially if the height difference is more than an inch over a distance of 15-20 feet.
  • Cracks in interior drywall
  • Cracks on exterior surfaces including stucco or brick.
  • Uneven walls or floors. If you push a squared piece of furniture up flush against the wall, and notice a gap at the top or bottom edge, this can be a sign of floors that are not level or a damaged foundation.
  • Drywall curving inward or outward. One indication is nails popping out of the wall, but you can also check with a vertical level.
  • Gaps in the caulking around windows.
  • “Sticky” doors and windows. A shift in the foundation can prevent them from opening and closing properly.
  • Wrinkled wallpaper
  • Soft spots in the ground around your house.
If you notice any of the issues mentioned above, you won’t necessarily have to replace your foundation. It is often possible to repair milder foundation damage, preventing further damage and leaving your home’s foundation stronger than before. Find a local foundation contractor that specializes in foundation repair and replacement in your area.
Julian De La Torre, founder and owner of Julian Construction, stated: “Keeping your home’s foundation in good repair is so important, it’s the first thing we look at when we go to a home with structural problems. And maintaining the foundation will prevent more serious problems from occurring in the future. Always get your home’s foundation inspected on a regular basis. It’s important for the safety of your home.”
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. You can see tips and advice about home foundations on their blog, at http://julianconstruction.com/blog/

BigTreeSupply.com: Western Hemlock--Washington State Tree

By Nancy Penrose

In 1947, Washington named the western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) as the official state tree. The name “hemlock” comes for a European weed that has a similar type of smell.

The western hemlock is an evergreen coniferous tree that can be found growing along North America’s west coast, from the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska to Sonoma County, California. The tree is also referred to as the Pacific hemlock and west coast hemlock.

It is the largest species of hemlock, growing from 165 to 230 feet on average. The tree’s trunk can be up to 9 feet in diameter. The bark of the tree is brown and thin with deeply grooved furrows. The tree’s crown at maturity has a cylindrical shape, with green, needle-like leaves up to 23 mm long. The glossy leaves, which are almost flat and soft, are irregular in length.

The tree’s cones are relatively small, and green to red-purple when young. As the cones age, they turn brown.

One interesting characteristic of the tree is its drooping new growth at the top. The tree’s branches, in general, sweep downward.

Western hemlocks are extremely shade tolerant. Many times you will find them growing under mature trees. They grow slowly but are also long-lived. Some are over 1,200 years old.

The evergreens trees have been an important source of timber. During earlier periods, the wood was carved into utensils and dishes. These trees are also a food source for deer and elk. When used for landscaping or gardens, the western hemlock is considered an ornamental tree.

If you have a western hemlock growing on your property, or plan to purchase these magnificent big trees, make sure the tree is protected against winter winds and summer heat. It will need moist, acidic soil to establish itself, with regular watering.


Nancy Penrose is owner of Big Trees Inc. (http://www.bigtreesupply.com), (tree nursery Snohomish, WA), one of the largest Seattle tree nurserys (visit Big Trees Planting Service page at http://bigtreesupply.com/planting-service/), specializing in large trees for sale and transplant tree service. For more tips on tree landscaping go to snohomishbigtrees.com. See our video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULejKnh2MYY and connect with us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Big-Trees-Inc/193731105108