Foundation repair in CA

New Members of EagleLIFT, Inc.

Wed, April 4 2012, 00:00:00 -500

Great News!!! EagleLIFT, Inc. is continuing to expand its operations and its staff.

Although expansion is a very positive sign for a company, sometimes, expansion can be a painful process that must be experienced and cleverly directed as that company grows. Why? This is a direct result of change.

Change is painful. Most of us are used to doing things the way we have always done. Some people are good at adapatation and change, others like to experience the same thing every day. Don't get us wrong. There are always positions for those 'same thing every day people.' Positions like data input, research and the like. We need those steady eddies.

We also need those people that thrive on differences, adaptation and never encountering the same thing twice. Isn't that really why we have salesmen in the world? Haven't you personally experienced that one person who made you glad they were the one person who could answer your question or handle your need?

EagleLIFT, Inc.has hired on some new game changers onto our staff and we would like to welcome them:

1. Todd Blaquiere - Marketing Director

2. Marla Chudy - Sales/Production Assistant

3. Susan Stolle - General Receptionist

Each of our employees brings a special skill and experience with them that can help EagleLIFT, Inc. towards reaching its new goals for 2012.

We appreciate everyone who works at EagleLIFT, Inc. and a special welcome to all our new members!

Eaglelift Inc. Receives Award at International Convention in Connecticut

Fri, September 30 2011, 00:00:00 -500

Rancho Cucamonga, CA – Eaglelift Inc. was recently honored at a meeting of over 600 guests from all over the United States and Canada at this year’s Team Basement Systems Convention. The annual convention is held each year between Seymour, Connecticut, (where the Basement Systems headquarters is located) and Hartford, Connecticut, and brings together dealerships of the international network for classes, seminars, training, parties and networking.

This year Eaglelift Inc. received an award at the Team Basement Systems International Convention. Eaglelift Inc. ranked in the Top 15 Foundation Supportworks Dealers in the United States and Canada.

The convention featured guest speakers Krish Duhnam (of the Zig Ziglar corporation), and the “Pit bull of Personal Development” Larry Winget. A sports-themed party at the Connecticut Convention Center ended the convention week with music, food and performances by the Harlem Wizards and the New England Patriots Cheerleaders.

Eaglelift Inc. is a certified Foundation Supportworks contractor specializing in crawl space repair, foundation stablization, and foundation repair in Irvine, CA and areas throughout Southern California, Arizona and Nevada. Eaglelift Inc. provides free estimates to homeowners in San Diego, Santa Ana, Riverside and other nearby locations.

Basement Systems is an international network of basement waterproofing, crawl space repair and basement finishing contractors. The international headquarters, based in Seymour, Connecticut, also provides sales and service throughout Connecticut and Westchester County, NY. Larry Janesky's Basement Systems has been helping homeowners increase their usable living space for over 20 years across the United States, Canada, Ireland and the United Kingdom. They have 27 patented basement and crawl space products, designed to help homeowners get more out of their basements and increase their home's value.

Drought Conditions Can Cause Foundation Problems

Tue, August 30 2011, 00:00:00 -500

It’s logical to associate foundation problems with wet weather. We think of storms, heavy rainfall, drainage problems and the increased leakage potential caused by hydrostatic pressure as the soil around a foundation gets saturated with water.

Foundation cracks that normally wouldn’t admit water can become sources of leaks when hydrostatic pressure increases outside the foundation. More severe foundation damage can occur when water increases the weight of the soil that bears against foundation walls. This added weight can crack poured-concrete and concrete block walls and also cause foundation walls to bow or tilt inward.

Another way that excess water can damage foundations is by washing away the soil that supports foundation walls, footings and piers. Such erosive action can create voids, or empty spaces, beneath a foundation. When this happens, the foundation is likely to settle or sink down into the void, usually cracking in the process.

Too little rain can be just as bad

Many people don’t realize that a lack of moisture in the soil can also cause foundation problems.
Before delving into the details of draught-induced foundation problems, it’s important to note that the severity of these problems depends on soil characteristics, which can vary greatly.

In many parts of the southern and southwestern U.S., soil can contain a large proportion of clay. Clay-rich soil reacts much differently to moisture than sandy soil does. While sandy soil is highly permeable, allowing water to pass through it rather than absorbing the water, clay-rich soil behaves in the opposite way. Instead of passing through clay-rich soil, water is absorbed. As the clay takes on the water, the soil expands.

When clay-rich soil dries out, the soil contracts. In drought conditions, shrinkage can be extreme, causing widespread cracks in open areas. During prolonged dry periods, soil shrinkage often extends below the surface of the ground. The soil that once supported a foundation wall, footing or pier can subside due to shrinkage, leaving a void where there should be solid support. Since soil composition isn’t uniform, shrinkage and subsiding won’t be either. The weight of the foundation wall and structure above a void can cause this unsupported section of the foundation to crack and settle.

Problems also occur when dry soil gets wet

The behavior of clay-rich soil during dry spells can create conditions that will lead to foundation damage once the rain comes. A common problem occurs where the soil abuts a foundation or a retaining wall. Dry conditions cause soil shrinkage that creates a gap between the ground and the wall. Over time, this gap collects debris such as loose stones, vegetation and even fill that is deliberately added by homeowners. Eventually, wet weather comes, causing the soil to expand as it absorbs water. The extra material that fills the gap around the foundation causes the expanding soil to put extra pressure on the foundation wall. If the wall can’t withstand the soil’s expansive pressure, cracking and tilting walls can result.

The solution to these soil problems often involves several repairs and improvements. Foundation repair contractors have the tools and expertise to determine what conditions have caused cracked walls, settled slabs and other foundation problems. They can use wall anchors and bracing systems to straighten walls that have bowed or tilted, saving homeowners the cost and disruption of total foundation replacement. Where soil has subsided, foundation repair experts often drive piers beneath the cracked or settled foundation to connect it to more stable soil at greater depth. By improving drainage around and outside the house, they can control moisture and nullify its damaging effects.

EagleLIFT is your expert for foundation repair in Reno, Nevada and all surrounding locations.

Using Piers to Overcome Unstable Soil

Tue, August 30 2011, 00:00:00 -500

Soil can contain a variety of different materials, including sand, gravel, stone, silt, clay, organic matter and even landfill debris and waste. The composition of soil will determine how it responds to different to moisture and load conditions. Unstable soils that are prone to settling, shrinking or expanding can cause damage to building foundations. Fortunately, foundation repair specialists have developed strategies that can permanently repair foundations damaged by unstable soil, and can help to prevent further damage.

Soil Isn’t Always Perfect

Soil that has a high percentage of sand and gravel provides the best base for building a foundation because it drains well and has excellent load-bearing characteristics. Architects, builders and developers value these soil characteristics and always look for stable, highly permeable soils when deciding where to build. Unfortunately, ideal soil for building foundations is not always available.

In many parts of the country (including the Southwest), native soil tends to be rich in clay and/or silt. This type of soil tends to shrink and settle when dry, and expand with surprising force when wet.

Foundations can sustain different types of damage because of such unstable soil. When soil settles due to shrinkage or poor load-bearing qualities, concrete slabs can break and settle. Foundation footings and walls can also crack and settle. In upper levels of a building, this damage shows up in a variety of ways: skewed openings that make doors and windows difficult to operate, cracks in drywall, gaps between floors and walls, and cracks in building exteriors composed of brick, stucco or other masonry.

Restoring Stability in Unstable Conditions

Foundation repair contractors rely on different techniques to repair damaged foundations and overcome the limitations of unstable soil. Since water is what makes clay-rich soil swell and shrink, foundation repair contractors often improve drainage around a foundation to stabilize the soil’s moisture content.

Where the soil has shrunk or settled, causing the masonry to crack and sink, the repair strategy can involve driving helical piers into the soil beneath settled slabs, footings and walls. Helical piers work like giant screws. As the contractor turns the shank of the pier, helical plates (like screw threads) pull the pier deeper into the soil. The contractor can add pier sections in order to reach stable soil beneath the foundation.

Once the pier is anchored to this soil, the foundation can be lifted back into position and held securely by a steel bracket that’s secured to a pier. A number of piers are often used to repair a settled foundation. This technique, sometimes referred to as “underpinning” a foundation, results in a permanent repair. Voids, or empty areas beneath a slab or footing may need to be filled as part of the repair procedure. But the piers do the “heavy lifting,” enabling the foundation to bypass unstable soil and remain anchored to solid, stable soil.

What’s Next?

Sometimes you just won’t know that your home is at risk of foundation trouble, especially if soil and rock inspection isn’t your specialty! Here’s where the experts come and help.

Is your foundation built on unstable soil? Contact the experts at EagleLIFT today for a free estimate for foundation repair in Las Vegas and all nearby areas!

Repairing Outdoor Concrete

Tue, August 30 2011, 00:00:00 -500

Concrete elements located outside the house include sidewalks, patios, driveways, retaining walls and concrete stairs. The use of concrete to create these details is easy to understand. As a material, concrete has the strength and durability to withstand every day use under all kinds of weather conditions. It demands little in the way of maintenance, and can look good in its unfinished form or with a variety of stains and other finish treatments.

Despite its reputation for strength, durability and weather resistance, outdoor concrete details like those mentioned above can develop problems that need to be corrected for aesthetic, functional and safety reasons. A quick review of common problems with outdoor concrete elements will help to understand possible causes and solutions.

Settling and heaving slabs require safety repairs

It’s very common for sidewalks, patios and other concrete slabs to settle downward or heave upward in response to different conditions. Heaving can be caused by tree roots that extend beneath a sidewalk or other slab, pushing upward as the tree grows. Other causes of uplift include frost heaving and street creep. The latter condition is common when temperature changes cause concrete to expand, forcing one slab or section to push against another.

Slabs: Slabs can settle or sink because the soil beneath them compresses or washes away during heavy rains. Settling and heaving usually cause slabs to crack and shift, creating gaps and ridges that people can trip over. To prevent injuries and avoid expensive legal issues, this type of damage should be repaired right away.

Stairs: The same goes for precast concrete stairs that can settle and shift. This type of stairway is sometimes installed on the outside of a house. Because of its weight, a precast concrete stair can settle or shift if the soil it rests on doesn’t have adequate load-bearing qualities. Re-leveling a concrete stairway is an important repair for safety reasons.

Control joints are supposed to solve problems

Concrete will expand and contract with moisture and temperature changes, like many materials. Installing control joints at regular intervals is a common way to avoid random cracking in a concrete slab by creating a deliberate crack at each control joint location. This technique essentially separates a large expanse of concrete (such as a sidewalk, patio or other slab) into individual slabs that can expand and contract independently. Control joints usually do their job effectively, except when they’re not installed at the right intervals, or when debris fills a joint and causes one slab’s movement to affect another’s. These flaws can lead to random cracks in concrete, as well as concrete buckling and shifting. Repair strategies include cleaning out control joints, cutting new joints, and filling them with a resilient exterior-grade sealant that prevents debris from accumulating in joints.

Foundation repair specialists handle outdoor concrete repairs

The right contractor to call when outdoor concrete problems occur is a foundation repair specialist. This type of specialty contractor won’t simply patch or replace damaged outdoor concrete; he’ll deal with the conditions that caused the damage in the first place. A foundation repair contractor can utilize specialized products and techniques to assess and overcome problematic site conditions like poor load-bearing soil, drainage issues, expansive clay soil, and control joint issues. Solutions such as steel piers (to connect concrete elements to stable soil at greater depth) and mud jacking (to fill voids beneath settled slabs and restore the slab to its original level) provide foundation repair contractors with a problem-solving repertoire not available to general home repair contractors. For permanent repairs to damaged outdoor concrete, it’s best to utilize a specialty contractor who will treat the cause of the problem as well as the symptom.

Contact EagleLIFT today for a free estimate for foundation repair in Phoenix, Arizona and nearby locations!

New Vehicles and New Branding

Fri, March 4 2011, 05:51:57 -500

EagleLIFT, Inc. has purchased three (3) new Ford F-450s to its growing arsenal of vehicles. These three have replaced our older, worn out and leased Ford 250s and 350. This brings our motor vehicle count up to nine (9) with three (3) additional trailers and one (1) enclosed foam trailer.

We had chosen the most efficient truck model we could, built them out for our specific needs and have been enjoying the ride since. We had made the decision to update the vehicles after reviewing the maintenance costs for the older vehicles, listening to our installation crews input and to complete our desire for standardizing our new look. (We would like to thank the Trashers at FSI for giving us the opportunity for looking in depth at their fleet and operations.

For those of you who are familiar with our older logo, you can see we have completely re-branded the company and our website. We felt we needed to update the image of the company and since we had indeed changed the way we operate our business, were gearing up for a move, had completely reworked our webpage, it was the perfect time to make the change throughout the company. Everything from our stationary to our trucks and building have been rebranded with the new look. We believe it provides a better look and 'feel' to the image of the company, while the consistency of image helps with clients remember who we are.

We would like to than all of the guys and gals at Guerilla Suit in Texas for helping us in our rebranding efforts.

EagleLIFT, Inc. has moved!

Fri, March 4 2011, 00:00:00 -500

Last year, EagleLIFT, Inc. had looked at new locations, had signed a new lease for a new location, had the check ready and didn't move. We had decided to rough it out for a bit more, enjoy some profits and wait for the economy to tank.

Although we had made the decision to stay as long as we could until the perfect location opened up for us, we were bursting at the seams at our 6,800 s.f. Arrow Route, Rancho Cucamonga, CA location. We had been at that location for six (6) years and it had treated us well but it really was time to move. We had hired on new personnel in the Call Center, new administrative help, a new Production Manager, a Warehouse Manager, brought in a working Vice President, bought new vehicles, added new patented processes.....we were hurting for space.

Well, the perfect opportunity and perfect location, ( and pricing ) opened up. We are now located in a 10,000 s.f. building with more than double the office space. We now have an official conference/training room and an extra large room to cover the expansion of our Call Center. (It sure is nice for everyone to have their own offices.) We also have the same s.f. of warehouse which is great!

March 4, today, is our official Grand Opening for the new location at 10410 Trademark St., Rancho Cucamonga, Ca. 91730. We are celebrating by bringing in all of the crews, inviting all of the salesmen, providing some outside training and company updates, and Mr. & Mrs. Moody are hosting a Cajun Feast of authentic Louisiana crawfish to christen our patio and kitchen, ( they were flown in for the festivities, the crawfish and shrimp, not the owners.)

We are all very excited about the new location and we are slowly getting used to more space than we need.....for now. We are already looking at hiring on more new people as we grow. We know this is a pivotal year for EagleLIFT, Inc. and we look forward to reaching all of our goals. Our first goal is now achieved, we have moved!

New Product for EagleLIFT

Fri, March 4 2011, 00:00:00 -500

EagleLIFT, Inc. is now the CA, NV and AZ distributor for the new ESSL process. We already have more than a couple of jobs under our belts using this process and all have been successful.

ESSL - EcSS 3000 Soil Stabilizing Products

PROFILE: Chemical Injection Soil Stabilizer

ESSL distributes and applies EcSS 3000, a soil stabilizer that improves the physical and mechanical characteristics of clay soils for building pads and roadways.

EcSS 300 Chemical Injection permanently changes the structure of clay soil and is a proven method of expansive clay stabilization. Expansive clay soil causes more damage to U.S. commercial and residential property each year than all hurricanes, tornados, earthquakes and floods combined.

Research confirms that ESSL's treatment process with EcSS 3000 is the most effective and permanent solution available today for commercial and residential soil stabilization. See how we can help you protect your property from costly 'ground attacks'.

Our particular area of the country has encountered some very expansive clay soils and the ESSL product is coming on the remediation/mitigation scene with perfect timing. We look forward to great success with the new process.

If anyone else has run into expansive clay soils causing them extensive problems, just give us call. We are always happy to talk with our partners.

House Slab Foundation Repair, How To Tell You Need It

Thu, April 8 2010, 00:00:00 -500

House slab foundation repair is not an everyday topic of conversation around the dinner table, but

how can you tell that you may need it?
are you starting to notice cracks in your walls?
are your doors and windows not closing properly anymore?

If so, these may be signs of foundation problems. Your home and everything in it rests on the foundation. Any foundation repair problems left unattended may have serious consequences in the future.

"New cracks in drywall, doors sticking, or windows that don't open mean that your house isn't level anymore," states Glenn Salter General Manager of EagleLift Inc.

EagleLIFT, Inc. is foundation repair contractors serving California, Arizona and Nevada. They specialize in the lifting and stabilizing of concrete foundations, driveways, pools and slabs as well as densifying soil
and infrastructure sealing to reduce water and soil infiltrations leaks.

"Another sign that foundation repair may be required is that gaps start appearing where the driveway meets your house or at the concrete joints. This all means your house, pool or driveway is movingâ¦.or settling!"

"A foundation's structure can be weakened by the unstable shifting soils located underneath the home. This can happen with both newly constructed foundations and older homes."

"These situations can be remedied with a two- step process that can literally "lift" your house, pool and driveway back to the original height and make it level."

EagleLIFT use steel 'piers' or supports which are driven by a hydraulic process into the bedrock beneath the structure. Each pier is installed around the affected areas of the foundation or slab.
The piers are "pushed" hydraulically into the soil around the home with small construction equipment or hand held equipment. As the piers reach the proper depth, solid steel brackets are attached and mounted to the footing of the home's foundation.

"The piers effectively 'lift' the house back to the right height and level it. Then, the holes which were made in the soil for the piers, are filled using the process of injecting the soil with resin polyurethane that is 100% environmentally friendly. This resin expands to compact the soil into a rock like hardness eliminating any future soil settling problems. The resin is also used to 'lift' pools, patios and driveways." "What is even more incredible is this whole process isn't affected by the elements, including water." "It almost sounds too good to be true, but this magical process "really works." I am very excited about this process," concludes Salter.

For a FREE no-obligation estimate & inspection for foundation repair, house slab stabilization or crawl space repair contact EagleLift.

Reference: http://www.prlog.org/10545624-house-slab-foundation-repair-how-to-tell-you-need-it.html

Sagging Crawl Space Support

Wed, March 3 2010, 00:00:00 -500

A sagging crawl space can mean a sinking, uneven floor above, as well as leading to cracks in walls within your home. Sinking crawl spaces are also often a sign of rot in the crawl space, which can mean mold spores and odors are making their way into your home.

EagleLIFT in CA, AZ and NV has the solution for structural problems in crawl spaces, such as settling columns, sagging beams, or fatigued floor joints; all common in a crawl space. You need to repair your crawl space issue once and for all-- with adjustable stainless steel crawl space jacks.

Call us or Contact us online for fixing your sagging crawl space in California, Arizona and Nevada.

A sagging crawl space can occur in three ways:
1. The crawl space structural supports are sagging due to poor supporting soils underneath
2. The crawl space wood is rotting or experiencing damage and can no longer support the weight above
3. A combination of these two causes

Repairing your crawl space with concrete blocks, pre-cast concrete pillars, and other solutions creates a temporary solution that cannot adjust properly to future movement. Ripping out and rebuilding the crawl space isn't necessarily the best option for crawlspace repair. There are many installations that can be done in about a day that will both reinforce the structure and help return the floor to its original position.

Crawl Space Jacks

Crawl space jacks, such as the SmartJack provided by Foundation Supportworks, are adjustable metal columns that are easily and cost-effectively installed in a crawlspace.

Call us or Contact us online for installing crawl space jacks for your crawl space structural problems in California, Arizona and Nevada.

Zig Ziglar Seminar

Sat, January 23 2010, 00:00:00 -500

EagleLIFT, Inc. is completely serious about its commitment to our staff, crews and salesmen in 2010. We are going to be pulling many surprises this year to help 'open' our minds to growth, to tap into our potential, guide us as we grow and to help make our challenges absolutely fun!!!!

We want to give YOU the best seats in the house on Wednesday, February 17, 2010, at The Get Motivated Seminar with Rudy Giuliani and Zig Ziglar at the Honda Center - Live in Person. At age 83, Zig is not retired, but "refired." Join Zig and the Dream Team of Expert Trainers for a day that you will never forget. Inspiration, motivation, celebration and business training combine to make this a powerful day that will change your life. Zig will be making only one stop in Anaheim on his 50-city USA Tour.

Mr. Ziglar has lined up the hottest speakers and trainers in the world for a one-day, power-packed, motivational business training extravaganza. What do you want? To make more money? Sharpen your business skills? Sell more? Achieve your goals? Learn cutting-edge marketing, communication, time management, and money management strategies? Great News: You'll get all of that and much, much more at the Get Motivated Seminar. This show is so hot it sizzles.

The Get Motivated! Business Seminar Is Coming to Anaheim, February 17th. Some of the guest speakers are:

Americas #1 Motivator, Zig Ziglar, will be joined by this Dynamic Team of Experts:

Rudy Giuliani
America's Mayor

Condoleezza Rice
Former Secretary of State

Gen. Colin Powell
World Famous Soldier-Statesman

Rick Belluzzo
Legendary President of Microsoft


Lou Holtz
Renowned Notre Dame Head Coach


Michael Phelps
14-Time Olympic Gold Medalist


Tamara Lowe
Top Sales Expert and Author of Get Motivated! Get Fired Up.

" Legendary President of Microsoft, Rick Belluzzo, will show you how to manage, lead and succeed
" Renowned Notre Dame Head Coach, Lou Holtz, will show you how to lead your team to victory
" 14-Time Olympic Gold Medalist, Michael Phelps, will show you how to sharpen your competitive edge
" Top Sales Expert and Author of Get Motivated!, Tamara Lowe, will strengthen your sales and negotiation skills
" America's Mayor, Rudy Giuliani, will show you how to make it through any crisis
" Former Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, will teach you how to become a person of influence.
" World Famous Soldier-Statesman, General Colin Powell, will show you how to be a "take-charge" leader

SPECIAL OFFER
Everyone who attends will receive Zig Ziglar's 5 Key to Igniting Motivation and Success along with TWO special bonuses: Golden Rule Relationships and Gaining with Goals. Plus everyone who attends will receive the very best elements of America's top business books. You'll get a new Success Summary to add to your Library every week for 52 weeks......yours FREE when you attend.

We will all carpool, experience the seminar together, we will have a great time and maybe learn a little something. EagleLIFT will pay for the tickets and the lunch while there. This is, also, a great chance to meet some of the most prolific individuals of our era. If you are into self improvement, this will be an absolutely great time for you. Don't forget to bring some cash as all of the speakers will have books and literature for sale.

Let me know who wishes to go as we will be having to close down the shop for this one day. I need your answers by Friday of this coming week. See you there! We have learned from our past....We are working towards our goals and ....We are making our future right now!!

Choosing Crawl Space Vapor Barriers in CA, AZ and NV

Mon, January 11 2010, 00:00:00 -500

An Ugly, Black Crawl Space Liner Installed on the Floor Only

There's a lot of crawl space vapor barriers out there. Unfortunately, very few of them are made with the quality and durability needed to keep your crawl space dry.

A crawl space liner should cover all surfaces that are in contact with the ground- including all walls and floors, even in a concrete crawl space. The liner should be durable, and it should make good use of lighting. And it shouldn't interfere with what a crawl space is meant for- meaning that you, and service workers, should still be able to access the space.

If you're in the market for a crawl space liner for your home, EagleLIFT would like to help. They've carefully researched many styles of crawl space liners, and they believe they've found the best product in all of California, Arizona and Nevada, including areas like Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Phoenix, Tucson, Flagstaff, Las Vegas, Henderson, Reno and offer free crawl space sealing estimates.

While you're doing your own research, keep these three points in mind:

1. Your Crawl Space Liner Should be Thick Enough to Last

A Ripped, Punctured Clear Crawl Space Vapor Barrier Installed in [state]

Your crawl space was created for a reason- so you can access utilities underneath the home. If you use a thin, flimsy crawl space liner to protect the space from humidity and moisture, you can count on it to rip and puncture as serviceman crawl on it.

Code requires a vapor barrier to only be 1mil thick. Most contractors will install a vapor barrier that's between 4 and 6 mil thick. However, even at that thickness, these liners are easily damaged by service workers and homeowners who need to access the space.

EagleLIFT of California, Arizona and Nevada installs a 20-mil liner with polyester cord reinforcement in all their crawl space encapsulations. This thick, tough liner includes a 25-year warranty, so you can feel comfortable accessing the space for service. You'll also be able to use the space for storage, freeing up space in the rest of the home.

2. The Liner's Color Matters!

Many crawl space liners come in a black color. This is because these liners are made from recycled plastics, which are cheapest when they come in black. However, there is no other good reason for a crawl space liner to be black. Black liners make a crawl space dark and inconvenient to access.

The best crawl space liners come in a bright white color. Bright white liners reflect light, making best use of available lighting in this cramped space. This makes accessing the space easier and more convenient.

3. Find a Vapor Barrier Compatible with Termite Inspections

Crawl Space Contractors Showing off a CleanSpace Liner Installation

If you have block walls, you'll want to make sure the top of them is covered off as well. Otherwise, humidity can rise straight up the blocks and enter the crawl space. However, in this case, a white vapor barrier will not do, as termite inspectors need to see that surface during their visits.

The answer to this is not to use a clear liner on all surfaces of the crawl space. Instead, use a white liner, and use a plastic covering only on the tops of the block walls. This way, you can have the benefits of termite inspector access to the tops of the blocks, while still having all the benefits of a white liner.

Local Crawl Space Contractors in California, Arizona and Nevada

When it comes time to have a contractor install your crawl space liner for you, be sure to take advantage of a FREE, no-obligation crawl space repair estimate from EagleLIFT. They'd be glad to help!

Each estimate includes a free on-site crawl space inspection with a specialist, a no-obligation written quote, and a free 88-page "Crawl Space Science" book, valued at $14.95 on Amazon.com. EagleLIFT's specialist will have all the time you need to talk about the best options, answer questions, and go over any details. Call or e-mail EagleLIFT today to get started!

Does Humid Air Go Up or Down? Keeping Your California Home Dry

Wed, January 6 2010, 00:00:00 -500

If humid air sinks, where do clouds and rain come from?

There are two classic arguments to explain where humid air goes.

Argument 1: Wet air is heavier than dry air. Ventilate and dehumidify the basement to solve this.

The idea here is that as air becomes humid in a home, it becomes heavier, causing it to sink down into the basement and lower levels of the home. Therefore, ventilating the basement with outside air will circulate this humid air out of the home and keep the basement dry.

If humid air sinks, will this ground level vent keep the basement dry?

Problem 1: Humid air is less dense than dry air.

Dense things sink and less dense things rise, right? Well, according to Isaac Newton, in his book Opticks, (and USA Today) humid air is actually LESS dense than dry air.

It makes sense. If humid air didn't rise, why would rain fall from the sky when the temperature drops?

So, in a home, humid air rises upwards, not downwards.

Problem 2: If humid air WAS denser than dry air, basement vents still wouldn't work.

Let's pretend for a minute that dry air IS lighter than wet air. Where are the vents going to be in the basement and crawl space? At ground level, right? If humid air did sink, wouldn't it flow downwards into the basement through the vents?

Is this vent keeping the basement dry and mold-free?

Problem 3: Outside air isn't always dry.

If it's raining, humid, or damp outside, how dry will ventilated outside air make your basement? Not very, right? And what happens to your utility bills if you're venting cold air into the home in the winter, or hot air in the summer? You can count on some heavy utility bills. We insulate this air out of our home for a reason- because we don't want it in the house.

Argument 2: Sealing off the outside air and dehumidifying the space will keep it dry.

Even with a seemingly dry basement wall, this white powder (efflorescence) reveals that moisture has been passing through the concrete walls

Other basement contractors will seal off the area from outside air as much as possible. Once the space has been isolated from the outside, they will install a dehumidifier to remove any extra humidity and to maintain the proper humidity level in the future.

To seal off the space, all vents in basements and crawl spaces must be sealed. Crawl space doors and entrances should create an airtight seal when closed to keep out outside air.

Moisture can also pass continually through the porous concrete, mortar, or dirt, entering a basement or crawl space straight through the walls and floors. Along with the moisture, water brings a white, powdery mineral salt called efflorescence. If you seal the walls with a paint, this salt will build up behind the seal, causing it to blister and peel. Instead, mechanically fasten a sheet of plastic- at least 25 mil in thickness- to the walls. This will keep moisture out of the space, helping you fight mold and moisture damage in the home.

A dehumidifier is a great idea as well. Be sure to pick one that is self-draining, powerful enough for the entire space, and is Energy Star rated to keep your utility bills low while protecting your investment.

Dry Below-Grade Spaces

There's only one good way to keep your basement and crawl space dry: seal the space and install a dehumidifier. If you're interested in taking your Crawl Space to the next step, EagleLIFT of California, Arizona, Nevada would like to help you. We offer FREE crawl space waterproofing estimates in areas like Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco. Call or contact us online today to get started!

EagleLIFT, Inc. expanding

Sat, December 26 2009, 00:00:00 -500

EagleLIFT, Inc. has literally outgrown our present facility as we have run out of room for our trucks and staff. So we had been searching for a new, larger location in the surrounding area. Mr. Moody, Glenn Salter, Cliff Frazao and Tim Watson have all put in their own time in trying to find that perfect location. We literally looked at every lease within a twenty (20) mile radius of our existing office. Well, we found the perfect location, and we have chosen not to move! You may be asking "Why?" after we have put in all the effort and time and the new building seemed to be the perfect fit. Well, the truth is, we actually came very close to going ahead with the decision.

EagleLIFT, Inc. had already signed the lease papers and we were to simply turn them over to the Real Estate agent with our downpayment check. We had the money set aside and the check ready to cut. The day this was to be completed, Mr. Moody and I sat down together and discussed the matter. The conclusions we arrived at that day, changed the course of our actions as well as our future.

Mr. Moody and I looked at each other and we both agreed to one basic, major point.....we owed EagleLIFT, Inc. the right to its profit. Although we are and have been a profitable company, we are just now becoming the 'real' company we should be. We are starting to reap the fruits from our increased labors, hiring and retaining the right people, implementing the right systems and procedures and forward thinking guidance. Why should we give that up to a significantly increased lease just to look and feel better?

If we were to move forward with the five (5) year lease, we would have a newer, larger facility which looked great, but we decided we were putting the cart before the horse. ( Have you read "The Highest Calling" by Larry Janesky?) What made us come to this conclusion?

1. EagleLIFT, Inc. is going to quadruple our income and save as much profit as possible, while reducing our debt.

2. EagleLIFT, Inc. can save enough money in two (2) years to be able to afford it's own building while achieving #1.

3. EagleLIFT, Inc. would be 'frozen' to the upcoming changes in the real estate economy. After five (5) years, the real estate market will have

risen again and we would be paying much more for our own building.

4. EagleLIFT, Inc. can make the location where we are presently, work for another two (2) years as we attain our goals.

Bottomline, we concluded we owed our company the capability to increase itself in all positive aspects....it is time to grow...so let's do so. We can reach all of our goals at the present location and maximize our efficiences and profits. We deserve this as a company....our employees deserve this and our future deserves it.

We are all very excited about our decision, we know it is correct......it is 2010, the pivotal year for EagleLIFT, Inc.

Glenn Salter

General Manager

Values Do Matter

Mon, August 3 2009, 00:00:00 -500

Author = Glenn Salter/EagleLIFT, Inc.
Bio = General Manager with years of construction and Risk Management background.
Headline = Values Do Matter

Post:
Hello Again;

I witnessed a couple of interesting situations and it got me to thinking about convictions. Convictions are based on our values, both business and personal. Yes, I know, some of you think business values and personal values don't mix. Well, if you think that way, research shows differently. Let's take a quick look.

Whether we know it or not, values are what drive our every day life. We use them in our moral judgment with responding to others, in fulfilling our promises, in establishing our goals in life. Values are the internal wiring and switch which keeps us in check in the many decisions we make every day. Generally, when a situation runs counter to our value system, we seem to hesitate or 'think' about the repercussions of our decisions. We, also, seldom act counter to those established values. Those few times when we do act against those values, we often feel convicted, sorrowful, saddened. A great deal of the time, leaving us asking ourselves "Was it worth it?"

It has been proven that when values are clear in our personal life, we are more in control of that life. Those enduring beliefs also help us determine when we say yes or no in our decisions and helps us to understand why we did so. It further helps us to understand who we are and helps provide simple clarity to our lives. Such clarity of values grants us independence in that we don't have to rely on another opinion or authority. We do what is right because the end and the means are equally important to us and as such, gives us the confidence to act independently.

Remember when you went to that job interview, took the tour of the facility, met the people and thought to yourself.."I really don't fit in here. This place is not for me. I don't belong here." That place didn't fit with your values and you knew it inside. What about when you went to that other interview and you just knew " This is it. This job is exactly for me." You got all excited and you were thrilled with the thought of being a part of that organization. You were making a value assessment which immediately triggered something in you which stated this is or isn't right.

Values help us to see what is right and wrong so we can also exercise choice about how to respond in every situation. That same "exercise of choice" occurs every day in our personal lives as well as our work place. Those people with the clearest personal values are more prepared to exercise those choices based on principle, both theirs and the organization's, because both are a fit with that person. I guess you can say there comes a point when we just know whether our job is a good fit with our values and beliefs.

An article titled...( bear with me on this )..."Values Congruence and Differences Between the Interplay of Personal and Organizational Value Systems", by Pozner & Schmidt (Journal of Business Ethics 12): 171-177, revealed how people with higher clarity of organizational values AND higher clarity of personal values resulted in a significant difference in behavior at work. People who scored a higher clarity of organizational values AND higher clarity of personal values had the highest degree of commitment to the organization.

What else did the research reveal? It also revealed 'people who know what they believe in but never have learned the corporate credo are more likely to stick around than those people who've heard the corporate litany but have never listened to their own inner voice. In other words, personal values are the route to loyalty and commitment and we all know companies have spent millions to find that loyalty and commitment. People with different personal values cannot fully commit to an organization or a movement that does not fit with their own beliefs. This could explain those situations where everything else works with someone but they always seem to be at odds with others or it's something about them you just can't put your finger on. Ultimately, it's people who decide if the organization is a great place to work. None of us will stick around when we really don't feel like we belong.

You might ask yourself: 1. How am I 'fitting in' where I work?

2. Do my personal values 'fit' with the corporate values where I work?

3. Am I in constant turmoil at my workplace?

4. Do I always seem to be on the 'opposition' end of discussions and find myself flopping around in my decisions?

The answers to these questions could show signs of a different set of values than those of which your organization are currently aligned. If so, then you must ask if you are willing to re-align your values to fit in. Or, is it time to move on to another job which more closely is aligned with your values.

Additionally, leaders must pay as much attention to personal values as they do to organizational values if they want dedicated employees. Take the time to reconsider your friends and employees. How do their values fit in with your personal life and workplace? Have you asked about their values? Have they asked you about your values? Right or wrong, finding out your personal values and how they align with your company values could make decisions very clear for you.