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When an earthquake happens, the foundation is often where
much of the damage begins. A basic residential seismic
foundation and crawl space inspection will provide a first
visual indication of your home's ability to withstand
the stresses of an earthquake.
During the inspection, the home and it's surroundings
are inspected for conditions that might indicate prior
or future seismic foundation concerns. Some of these items
include structural defects that might affect the performance
of the house during an earthquake. Cal-Quake experts also
check for cracks in foundations, sidewalks, driveways,
garage floors and conditions in the earth itself that
might be a hazard.
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Water and soil conditions also create permanent foundation
problems. Much of California is on clay or expansive type soils.
Expansive soils act like a sponge. As they absorb water, they swell
and as they lose water they shrink. Soils tend to dry out (and shrink)
during the summer, and to absorb water (and swell) during the winter
and spring.
As the soil under a house shrinks and swells with the seasons, the
house and foundation will move up and down. As long as the foundation
movement is not great enough to damage the house and/or foundation,
it is not a problem. If the up and down movement of a foundation
always returns the foundation to its original level position, then
damage to the house and foundation may appear and disappear on a
regular basis as the seasons change.
Usually, when a house sits on a raised foundation on expansive
soil, it experiences continual soil expansion and contraction.
The contraction directly under the perimeter foundation causes
it to sink into the soil as it dries out more than it rises
with the swelling of the soil when it is wet. This causes normal "settlement" and
usually leaves the floors higher in the center of the house.
The center support structures stay dry and do not experience
settlement, while the lower perimeter, where the foundation
bears the weight of the house settles down on the drying, shrinking
soil.
If a homeowner wishes to stop seasonal house and foundation
damage, the first course of action should be to follow a controlled
watering program. By keeping the moisture content of the soil
under the foundation constant, foundation movement can often
be stopped. CAL-QUAKE can assist the homeowner in performing
a simple foundation preventive maintenance program.
Inspection cost: Depending on the size and location of the
property, the fee is $150.00 and due at time of inspection.
The fee can be credited towards any repairs or work that you
hire us to do.
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