Julian Construction: Older Homes More Likely to Have Foundation Damage

LOS ANGELES, CA: Julian De La Torre, owner of Julian Construction, Inc., (http://www.julianconstruction.com), a foundation repair and construction company in Los Angeles, reports that homes built over 50 years ago often have foundation problems.

According to De La Torre, there were very few building regulations or standards for homes constructed before 1940, and the use of improper equipment and low-quality materials was not uncommon.

“The most important part of your home is its foundation,” says De La Torre. “If the foundation is not built right, the structural integrity of the building will be compromised. Foundations are built to carry the weight and load of all the other parts of the structure. Without a strong foundation, the building can eventually collapse.”

Homeowners can also have trouble with older foundations if the home was built on clay soil. When clay soil gets wet, it expands. As the soil starts to dry, it contracts. A building will be pushed up by the foundation when the soil is moist, and settle into the spaces created when the moisture disappears.

“If you own an older home, make sure the foundation is checked on a regular basis,” says De La Torre. “If a problem is caught early, it can usually be easily fixed. The longer you wait, the more you will have to spend on repairs.”

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/ or http://quakeproofers.com/blog/.

Julian Construction: Roof Damage Can Cause Foundation Problems

LOS ANGELES, CA: Roof damage is a commonly overlooked cause of foundation problems, reports Julian De La Torre, owner of Julian Construction, Inc., (http://www.julianconstruction.com), a foundation repair and construction company in Los Angeles.

According to De La Torre, when a roof becomes damaged, water can begin to seep into the structure. “Water is a foundation’s worst enemy,” says Torres. “It can cause cracking and other issues that will weaken the foundation and destabilize the structure.”

There are various environmental factors that can damage a roof, such as wind, too much sun, rain, storms, earthquakes, falling tree branches and lightening. Indicators of roof damage include broken, chipped, cracked or blistered tiles.

These days, many homes are built with asphalt tiles that have been coated with tiny granules. When the tiles become bruised or dented, the granules can start to fall off. “if you find asphalt tile granules in your rain gutters, your roof is deteriorating and needs to be repaired,” says De La Torre, who also notes that natural roofing tiles and materials will decompose even faster than synthetic roofing.

De La Torre encourages homeowners to regularly inspect their roof. “If you see wet spots, cracking paint, wet insulation, light shining through the roof or the roof starting to sag, have it inspected by a professional and get the repairs done as fast as possible.”

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/ or http://quakeproofers.com/blog/.

JulianConstruction.com: How Expansive Soil Can Damage Your Foundation

by Julian De La Torre

Soil contains three main organic materials: sand, silt and clay. Clay particles are extremely small, which means many of them can exist in a tiny space. This increases the density of the soil and helps create a smooth texture.

Soil that has a high concentration of clay particles is called expansive soil. When the soil becomes wet, the clay particles absorb the water. This causes the soil to expand.
If a house has been built on clay soil, the expansion can lift a foundation. Sometimes the lifting occurs in different areas of the foundation. The amount and location of the lifting is determined by the building load and how much moisture is present.

Eventually, the clay will dry. When it does, the soil will shrink, creating even more foundation problems.

Foundation lifting and settling will eventually cause foundation cracks. The cracks will allow more moisture to enter the structure, which can worsen the damage. Signs of foundation problems include sloping floors, bulging walls, and doors that won’t open or shut properly.

One way to remedy foundation problems caused by expansive soil is to extend the foundation past the area where the soil’s water fluctuates. You can also add more drainage around the structure so water is channeled away from it. Strengthening the foundation is another option. A strong foundation can withstand lifting and settling.

If you live in an area with significant wet and dry seasons, you will probably end up having more foundation problems than homeowners who live in areas where the weather is more consistent. But also keep in mind that other sources of water, like sprinklers, can impact soil moisture content as well.

If your home was built on expansive soil, call a professional foundation contractor and get them to conduct a foundation inspection. They will be able to address any foundation issues related to moisture in the soil.

Julian De La Torre, expert in Los Angeles foundation repair, inspection & house leveling (Los Angeles) and founder of Julian Construction (http://www.julianconstruction.com) in Los Angeles, has inspected over 15,000 structures, working with engineering firms & local departments of building & safety. The company has done more home foundation repair (Los Angeles) than any other company in the area over the last five years (http://julianconstruction.com/about-2/). Julian Construction owns its own company and is a "no middlemen" model--no salesmen or subcontractors--you get the principals of the company & its workers under your home. Learn more about Julian Construction at http://losangelesfoundationrepair.us/. Watch their video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6I8j7dXzpj4

Brite Smiles Patient Says TMJ Treatment Reduced Headache Pain

APPLE VALLEY, MN - A patient at Brite Smiles Dental Care (http://www.britesmilesdentalcare.com), located in Apple Valley, MN, has reported that TMJ treatments significantly reduced the frequency and severity of lifelong headaches. (TMJ is the temporomandibular joint which joins your jaw to your skull. The disorder of this joint is called TMD – Temporomandibular Disorder.)

“I have suffered with severe migraine headaches most of my life. These migraines affected my enjoyment of life and activity level, usually sending me to bed for at least a day and making me feel somewhat ill for a day or two more. I had been having 2 or more headaches per month,” said the patient. “It’s been four months since I received this treatment and I am happy to report that I have had only two headaches since then. Not only has the frequency gone down, so has the severity.”

The disorder affects approximately 5 to 12% of the population. Common symptoms include pain when opening or closing the mouth, difficulties chewing, a jaw that becomes stuck (open or shut), ear pain, teeth grinding, a clicking or popping sound when the mouth is open, as well as migraine headaches.

“Because many of these symptoms can result from other health problems, only an experienced medical professional can determine if it’s TMD,” says Dr. Dennis Simmons, founder of Brite Smiles Dental Care.

TMD can be treated in many different ways, from self-care practices to surgery. Various methods are often used in combination to get the best results.

Dr. Dennis Simmons graduated from the University Of Minnesota School Of Dentistry in 1976, receiving the Class Honor in prosthetics – dentures partial and full. Since then he has participated in over 3000 hours of continuing education courses, focusing primarily on cosmetic and reconstructive dentistry, dental implants and implant-supported restorations, orthodontics, extractions, crown/bridge, root canals, bite and TMJ disorders, and sleep apnea. For his studies, he has been honored with the status of “Diplomate” from the International Congress of Oral Implantology and the International Osseous (bone) Integration Society. For more information on services and options from Brite Smiles Dental Care, visit http://britesmilesdentalcare.com, or call 952-891-8484.

Big Trees Inc. Completes Large Tree Privacy Screen Project

SNOHOMISH, WA: Big Trees Inc., (http://bigtreesupply.com/), a tree transplant and tree nursery company in the Seattle area, today announced the completion of a large tree privacy screen on Bainbridge Island. Over 20 big trees were planted to create an extensive property-line buffer for one of the company’s many regular customers.

The trees used for the living wall included Cedars, Nordman Firs and Vine Maples Each tree was between 20’ to 22’ feet tall, and weighed between 1000 to 1500 pounds.

“Long-term reoccurring clients are the bedrock of any business, and we love working with them on all occasions,” says Big Trees Inc. owner Nancy Penroes. “Their ideas and confidences make us better at what we do and how we accomplish our tasks. We are very fortunate to have a great number of these customers, and happy to rise to their next challenges as they develop their properties and projects!”

Located in Washington State’s Puget Sound Basin, Bainbridge Island is approximately 5 miles wide and 10 miles long. It is one of the largest islands in Puget Sound, known for its natural beauty and numerous parks.

Bainbridge Island trees are considered an extremely valuable asset. According to a study conducted by the City of Bainbrdge Island, they help preserve and protect the environment by dispersing rainwater, cleaning the air and protecting wildlife. Bainbridge Island trees also provide a buffer for noise, sunlight, wind and dust, and help reduce utility bills by sheltering buildings during the summer and winter.

Big Trees Inc. (http://www.bigtreesupply.com) is located in Snohomish, WA, in the Seattle area. The company is one of the area’s largest tree nurseries, with over 120,000 trees available in over 300 varieties. They not only can deliver young trees but also mature trees in a wide range of sizes, including spring flowering, deciduous, evergreen, and privacy trees. The company also transplants large trees. Their blog can be seen at http://www.bigtreesupply.com/blog/ or http://bigtreemover.net/.

BigTreeSupply.com: Using Trees to Create an Outdoor Screen

By Nancy Penrose

Many property owners buy big trees to beautify their landscape, but they can also be used as natural screens to create privacy, minimize wind, decrease sunlight and reduce noise.

A living wall is a great way to create seclusion, especially if you are concerned about being observed or disturbed by neighbors, pedestrians and drivers. You can also use trees to hide objects both on and off the property.

Do you live in a windy area? When used as a windbreak, trees can reduce the wind’s speed by a distance of up to 30 times the tree’s height. They can also minimize the wind chill around your home or building, which can lower your heating bill.

When trees are planted on the east, west and northwest sides of your home, they can provide enough shade to decrease summer air conditioning expenses by up to 35%. If there’s too much outside noise where you live, a tree screen can also help reduce noise levels.

You can create tree screens in many different locations, including between homes, buildings and alongside of highways.

Before buying trees for a screen, decide how high and wide you want it to be. Also decide if you want an evergreen screen or one made of deciduous trees that will lose their foliage in the fall. And don’t forget to take into consideration the growing environment, including the soil type.

One of the most popular trees used for screens is the Excelsa Cedar. A fast growing privacy tree, it grows 2-3’ a year, but tops out around 25-30’ tall and 15’ wide. It is very low maintenance.

You might also want to consider Emerald Green Arborvitae trees, which grows between 15 to 18 feet in height. It has thick foliage and will keep its color all year long. The emerald green is good for narrow planting areas.


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 Sales and Inventory page at http://bigtreesupply.com/sales-inventory/), specializing in large trees for sale and transplanting trees. For more tips on tree landscaping go to http://bigtreemover.net/. See our video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_x12IYgYbg and connect with us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/Big-Trees-Inc/193731105108

Mold Can Lower The Value of Your Home, Media Report Warns

Building Cleaning Services Encourages Home Owners to be Vigilant about Mold

LOS ANGELES, CA: Building Cleaning Services (BCS) (http://buildingcleaningservices.net), a mold removal company based in Los Angeles, is frequently called to determine the degree of mold damage in homes being sold. A US News report addressed this in an article in March this year headlined: “Is Your Home a Death Trap? You May Be Eligible for Compensation.” “Discovering toxins in your home is often terrifying—it's not just lowering the value of your home, but it's also potentially causing long-lasting health problems,” writer Devon Thorsby reported. However, not everyone has the money to shell out to fix a problem they didn't see coming,” Thorsby stated. www.yahoo.com/news/home-death-trap-may-eligible-compensation-161742876.html?ref=gs

Aware of this, BCS works with home-owners and insurance companies to fully brief them on mold and their options as well as how, under California law, mold removal companies should also be requiring the owner to have asbestos testing if remediation is called for.

US News provided good advice; Check local laws regarding disclosing home defects in a real estate transaction. “Most states require a seller to disclose any known defects, whether it's possible mold, knowledge of asbestos in the insulation, the presence of lead-based paint or a recent radon gas test revealing elevated levels in the home.”

Also, check the insurance policy to ensure it does cover mold remediation.

BCS recommends those selling their property to fully disclose if mold or hazardous materials are present in the home. It is a less expensive option to a lawsuit that could result in significant damages being awarded, especially if the new owners or their family become ill within months of purchasing the property.

For more information about mold, go to BCS’s informational website (http://buildingcleaningservices.net). And reviews of BCS’s help given clients is available on Yelp at www.yelp.com/biz/building-cleaning-services-glendale
BCS provides water damage handling, mold removal services, environmental deep cleaning for companies, post construction cleaning, and commercial janitorial services for the Greater Los Angeles area, and other areas of Southern California. Established in 1997, they have over a decade of experience as a company with fast service, high professionalism and work ethic. BCS is certified by the Institute of Inspection and Cleaning and Restoration and Environmental Testing & Technology. To learn more, visit http://www.BuildingCleaningServices.net, or call 818-953-7100 or e-mail bcs@buildingcleaningservices.net.