Crawlspace Stabilization in a 1920s Home - Los Angeles, CA

Challenge

Aura had lived in her charming 1920s home in Los Angeles for over 20 years. Shortly after moving in, she began noticing her doors and windows sticking, and over time, her floors became increasingly bouncy and uneven. As the issues worsened, she knew it was time to address the underlying cause—her aging crawlspace foundation.

The home’s original wooden posts and beams were no longer providing the necessary support for the floor joist system. Years of settling and moisture in the crawlspace had led to instability, leaving Aura’s floors sagging and doors misaligned. Without proper reinforcement, the issues would only continue to deteriorate, compromising both the safety and value of her home.

Solution

After a thorough inspection, we determined that a combination of SmartJack® supports, supplemental beams, and new wood posts would provide the necessary stabilization and restore the home’s structural integrity.

1. Replace Wood Posts: The existing 4x4 wooden posts, weakened over time, were replaced with new, sturdy 4x4 posts, secured with post caps to the girder beam above.

2. Install Supplemental Beam: To reinforce the floor joist system, we installed a metal supplemental beam as outlined in the job plan. The addition of the Joist Assist Bracket provided extra support to ensure long-term stability.

3. Install SmartJack® Supports: We strategically placed SmartJack® adjustable steel supports beneath the floor joists. These high-capacity jacks can be adjusted over time to accommodate any future settling, ensuring the home remains level and secure.

Following the installation, Aura's floors were noticeably firmer, and her doors and windows operated smoothly once again. The SmartJack® system provided the necessary support to raise the sagging floors back to their proper level, and the combination of new wood posts and a supplemental beam ensured long-lasting stability.