Restoring a 1950s Home in Birmingham, AL
Homeowners from Birmingham, AL called us concerned about their uneven floors. Here’s what our team found and how they repaired the damage.
Unfortunately, many homeowners postpone foundation repairs for as long as possible. While cost is the main issue for some, most homeowners are simply afraid that their home will be turned into a construction site for days, weeks, or even months. However, putting off important repairs can do more harm than good. Also, with expert guidance, the whole process can be rather quick and easy.
Our team of experts met with homeowners who live in a Birmingham, AL, home that was built in the 1950s. They had concerns about their home and, after an inspection, we were able to find the cause of the problems they were seeing. We recommend a variety of solutions to restore their home’s old glory. As mentioned, a lot of homeowners are afraid that repairs will take too long and significantly disrupt their daily routines. However, when professionals do all the work, the job can be complete in just a couple of days. In fact, in this case, everything was done in less than 24 hours. With various crawl space waterproofing measures in place, we were able to fix the problems and restore their home to its previous condition.
Meeting the Homeowners
The couple from Birmingham, AL, called us because of their problem with uneven and bouncy floors. Their house was built in the 1950s and they have lived there for the past 10 years. The homeowners were preparing to sell the home in the near future and understood that fixing a home before placing it on the market can significantly increase its value. Besides, they wanted to do some remodeling, and these problems needed to be fixed beforehand. The problem with uneven floors was not a novelty. As the couple explained, they had been dealing with it for a while. As time has gone by, the problem only got bigger. As responsible homeowners, they checked their crawl space several times a year, but there were no signs of leakage or standing water.
This is not the first time the couple had to invest in repairs. A few years back, they had a problem with termites. So, after they got rid of the pests, they had some rotten wood replaced. Also, to stabilize their home, they had a few jacks installed in the crawl space. This time they were worried about their uneven floors and the fact that they get very cold in the winter. They suspected that they had a moisture problem, but the upstairs did not smell musty or moldy.
Our Initial Inspection
Since the couple was familiar with the state of their home and had been living there for the past decade, they were able to provide us with important information and we had a general idea of what to look for when we got to their home. Since their home is located in the largest city in the state, Birmingham, this was not the first time we had dealt with this type of issue. A lot of homeowners have problems due to the city’s climate, which features abundant rainfall and severe thunderstorms all year round. Fortunately, as AFS has more than 15 years of experience handling crawl space water issues, we were able to easily detect the problem and then fix it in a day.
Although the homeowners reported that there were no signs of leakage or standing water in the crawl space, our experienced professionals were able to detect the presence of moisture in this area. And even though there was a liner in the crawl space, it was damaged and wasn’t protecting this space anymore. This led to some wood damage, and our inspector was also able to notice that previously installed support jacks were failing.
All of this damage caused the floors to be uneven and cold, and everything needed to be fixed or replaced before the big renovations took place. The homeowners planned to move soon, which meant they had to fix up the house so the existing issues do not lower the property value. While the upstairs was in good condition, the crawl space showed signs of damage that needed to be repaired as soon as possible. As the homeowners reported, the problem was there for a long time, and it was only getting worse.
Repairing the Damage
To fix all of the problems the couple was facing, we needed to approach the issue from several different angles. First, we turned to the issue with malfunctioning concrete supports. To stabilize the home and add some lift to the floor framing foundation, we installed five floor support jacks with a 7’ wood supplemental beam.
Since the liner in the crawl space was not keeping the moisture out, we encapsulated the area to keep it dry and clean. A 120-mil vapor barrier was installed, but since the home was located in an area of high thunderstorm activity, we implemented other solutions to solve the moisture problem. Apart from the encapsulation, we also installed an interior drainage system and a sump pump to control groundwater seepage and keep the crawl space dry. Once the crawl space was waterproofed and encapsulated, a dehumidifier also was installed.
With waterproofing measures in place and the installation of floor support jacks, the homeowners were able to move forward with renovation knowing that their home was in great condition once again.
Solving this problem on your own can be a challenge if you do not possess the required skills and experience. Luckily, you do not have to repair the damages by yourself. With the help of our team of professionals, you can live in a safe and healthy home. Contact our local team and schedule a free home inspection. After assessing the state of your home, our experts can provide you with a free quote and suggest repairs that will suit you best.
