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

Julian Construction: Interior Moisture Can Damage Your Foundation

LOS ANGELES, CA: Interior moisture can cause significant damage to a foundation says Julian De La Torre, owner of Julian Construction, Inc., (http://www.julianconstruction.com), a foundation repair and construction company in Los Angeles.

“When water enters a home, even if it’s just in the atmosphere, it can lead to foundation problems that can end up requiring extensive repairs,” says De La Torre.

Interior water can come from many different sources such as sinks, tubs, showers and toilets. During the winter, moisture can get trapped inside a home or building by insulation, caulking and weather stripping.

Indicators of water problems include dark spots, mold, mildew, peeling paint and surface areas that have either started cracking, crumbling, warping or buckling. Drywall that is soft, spongy or swelling along the edges and seams are also signs of water issues.

When water seeps into the basement, it can start to weaken the structure’s foundation by penetrating cracks. It can also soften the soil around or beneath the foundation which will reduce the foundation’s load bearing capacity.

“Regular inspections can help you avoid foundation trouble,” says De La Torre, who adds that it’s also important to identify the source of the problem, not just fix it.

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: Expansive Soil Puts California Homes at Risk

LOS ANGELES, CA: During the late 1950s, many homes in California were built using pier foundations to prevent damage caused by expansive soil. In cases where the piers weren’t drilled deep enough, expansive soil can still cause foundation issues, reports Julian De La Torre, owner of Julian Construction, Inc., (http://www.julianconstruction.com), a foundation repair and construction company in Los Angeles

Expansive soil contains clay minerals that increase in size when the soil gets wet. When the soil dries, the particles shrink leaving spaces in the soil. Over time, a foundation will settle deeper and deeper into these voids. The settlement is rarely uniform, which can cause cracks and other types of damage that weaken the foundation.

“Pier foundations are especially vulnerable to damage caused by changes in the moisture content of expansive soil,” says De La Torre. “When soil expands and contracts, it will affect the foundation’s load bearing capacity. If the stress is significant enough, the pier can end up falling.”

According to De La Torre, any home built on expansive soil should be inspected on a regular basis to prevent serious foundation issues. “If there is a problem and it isn’t addressed quickly, you may end up having to replace the entire foundation.’

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, http://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: City of Los Angeles Retrofit Update

by Julian De La Torre

Last year the City of Los Angeles enacted legislation requiring approximately 15,000 buildings to be retrofitted to withstand earthquakes. The legislation passed with a unanimous vote by the Los Angeles City Council.

The new rules focused on two specific types of buildings that have suffered the most serious damage during quakes: concrete buildings and wood-frame apartment complexes built on top of carports (also called “soft story” structures).

Recently the city released the addresses of 13,500 apartments and condos that will most likely need some type of earthquake retrofitting. The buildings are primarily located in the San Fernando Valley, Hollywood and Westside.

It took two years to develop the list of these “soft-story” buildings – structures that have weak first floors because they have been built over carports supported with columns.

The hunt focused on buildings similar to structures that collapsed in the 1989 Loma Prieta and 1994 Northridge earthquakes. During the Northridge quake, a soft-story apartment complex collapsed killing 16 people.

City officials combed through tens of thousands of records and even walked through neighborhoods to locate structures that would need a soft story retrofit (Los Angeles).

The aggressive effort to get buildings in Los Angeles ready for the next big quake has not been without controversy. Even so, many property owners have begun the process of upgrading their structures.

The purpose of earthquake retrofitting is to keep a structure from slipping off of its foundation during the violent shaking that occurs in an earthquake. Different techniques can be used depending on the how the structure was built. Common types of retrofitting include brackets to connect the cripple wall to the frame; cripple wall bracing and foundation bolting.

With a 99% chance of a magnitude 6.7 quake or larger within the next 30 years, many cities throughout the state have stepped up their earthquake planning and preparedness efforts.

If you’d like a free inspection of your property, give us a call. We have decades of retrofitting experience and will make sure your home is properly secured.

Julian De La Torre, expert in Los Angeles foundation repair, house leveling & foundation inspection (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/.

See their video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oI6-SXw6Z1c

BigTreeSupply.com: Why Trees Get Sick

By Nancy Penrose

There are many reasons why a healthy tree can get sick, such as pests, injuries, disease and poor maintenance. Even the environment can adversely affect a tree’s well-being.

There are several ways to tell if a tree is doing poorly. Some of the more obvious signs include areas of decay and evidence of infestations. A tree may also have health issues if it isn’t growing or has prematurely dropped its leaves. Other indicators of illness include early ripening, wilting, loss of color, and trunk or branch abnormalities.

Trees can become infected from pests such as aphids, root weevils, leafrollers, spider mites and the codling moth. The pests will either burrow into the tree or start feeding on it. Sometimes they do both.
Trees can also get blight, a type of fungi or bacteria, and root rot.
When a tree has blight, it will initially turn brown and then die. Root rot is also a fungal pathogen and can kill a tree. Indicators of root rot include dieback and foliage discoloration.

Storms can cause broken branches, split branch forks and snapped stems. When wood breaks and becomes exposed, it can become infected by microorganisms. These types of injuries, depending on where they occur, can also damage the tree’s overall health.

Trees can also be injured by bad pruning, garden equipment like lawnmowers and weeders, as well as foot traffic if it’s near the tree’s roots.

Environmental factors that affect the health of your tree include pollution and herbicides that drift in from other locations.

Trees can also have a difficult time adapting to a new environment. If you’ve recently planted a tree or had a tree transplant and it isn’t doing well, check for soil and drainage issues, as well as too much or too little light or water.

Trees are an investment and will need proper maintenance and care to survive. As professional tree arborist, specializing in big trees, we can answer all of your questions about tree care and how to keep your trees healthy.


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 tree transplanting. For more tips on tree landscaping go to http://nurserytrees.net/. See our video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEP1vudflm0 and connect with us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Big-Trees-Inc/193731105108