If you’re involved in a construction project or building rehab, chances are you’ve heard an important phrase floating around: methane barrier installation. These three words hint at a specific problem that the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety takes incredibly seriously. Methane soil gas intrusion poses an extremely dangerous risk to occupants of a…
With the ever-increasing value of land in metropolitan areas, property owners are encouraged to make improvements on underutilized properties. This generally involves making additions to dwellings or structures when ample land is available. Property improvements are typically done in coordination with remodeling projects. Sometimes, even the smallest dwelling addition can trigger the soils/geology report requirement…
Geotechnical engineering plays an enormously important role in the building of any structure. The soil and rock the building sits atop will form the all-important foundation, and needs to be solid enough to support whatever is being built upon it. Without a proper foundation, a building could soon collapse and cause catastrophic damage or loss…
San Francisco’s fourth-tallest skyscraper has a big, expensive problem: it’s sinking. Not only that, but it’s sinking twice as fast as originally feared. How does something like this happen? What can be done? The Curious Case of The Sinking Tower Usually, you might think that a massive, 58-story skyscraper in one of America’s wealthiest…
Many people looking to start a new home construction project are surprised to find out that they need a geotechnical engineering report. The reason? You don’t want to be building your home’s foundation on just any soil. Starting Off On The Right Foundation New home construction is an exciting time for anyone jumping into such…
