Foundations, Drainage & Seismic repair

Since 1960, Bay Area homeowners have turned to Ward Construction to solve their structural problems including foundation settlement, retaining walls, leveling, seismic retrofits, and drainage. Ward Construction has successfully completed over 7000 jobs for clients with structural problems similar to yours.

 

Schedule Your Professional Estimate!

Call: (510) 215-3636

Exceptional Structural Repair Work:

Your home is one of your biggest investments and the Bay Area seismic, drainage, and soil conditions can contribute to foundation and retaining wall failure.

We work primarily in Alameda, Contra Costa, Solano, and Marin Counties and are well known for our expertise in foundation and earth-movement repair, drainage, and the repair of water-related problems. Working closely with architects and soil and structural engineers, our highly trained crews efficiently identify and repair all types of structural failures.

Get your expert, professional estimate from Ward Construction today by calling 510-215-3636 or using our schedule request form.

retaining wall

Foundation Repair

Our Bay Area foundation repair operations are comprehensive. We repair, lift, replace, and level all types of foundations.

 

Retaining Walls

It is often necessary to install a retaining wall to prevent soil movement.  Our team installs solid, well-designed retaining walls to prevent landslides, mudslides, and ultimately, foundation problems.

Drainage

Proper drainage around homes is critical for stabilizing the soil and preventing damage to the foundation from excess water.  Your foundation is designed to be supported by dry soil, not wet soil. We design and install drainage systems and retaining walls, to keep your home safe and dry.

Leveling

Our leveling services address uneven floors and misaligned structural components by restoring your foundation to its proper position, preventing further damage, enhancing the overall stability of your home and relieving stress on the structure so it will perform better during earthquakes.

Seismic Retrofit

Seismic retrofitting involves strengthening your existing foundation and structure to better absorb and distribute the energy generated by an earthquake. This reduces the risk of catastrophic failure, ensuring the safety of your home and family during a seismic event.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is proper drainage important for my foundation?

Poor drainage can lead to water pooling around your foundation, and a damp crawl space causing soil expansion, and erosion, which can weaken your foundation over time. Installing proper drainage solutions helps protect your home from costly structural damage. We offer estimates and make recommendations, so please call for your professional estimate. 

What are the signs of poor drainage around my home?

Signs include water pooling near your foundation, damp or musty smells in your basement or crawl space, cracks in foundation walls, mold growth, and soil erosion around your home. If you notice these issues, a professional drainage consultation is recommended. 

What drainage solutions do you offer?

We offer a variety of drainage solutions, including French drains, sump pumps, surface drains, and grading improvements to direct water away from your home’s foundation.

What is a French drain, and how does it work?

A French drain is a trench filled with gravel and a perforated pipe that redirects groundwater and rainwater away from your foundation. It helps prevent water buildup and reduces pressure on foundation walls. We can provide a consultation to see if a French drain is your best option.

Do I need a sump pump for my home?

If there is not enough elevation change to slope the drainage system to the street, or to another approved point of discharge such as a creek or storm drain, a sump pump might be necessary.  Water from the drainage system would need to be collected into a sump, and then a pump will discharge the water to the designated area.

How do I know if my home needs foundation repair?

Common signs of foundation problems include cracks in walls or floors, doors and windows that stick or don’t close properly, sloping or uneven floors, and gaps between walls and ceilings. If you notice any of these issues, it's best to schedule a professional estimate to determine if foundation repairs are needed.

What causes foundation problems?

Foundation issues can be caused by a variety of factors, including soil movement, poor drainage, seismic activity, tree root intrusion, and water damage. Expansive clay soils, which shrink and swell with moisture changes, are a common cause of foundation settling in the Bay Area.

How much does foundation repair cost?

The cost of foundation repair depends on the severity of the issue, the size of your home, and the repair method needed. We can provide a professional estimate for your specific situation.

Can you fix sloping or uneven floors inside my home?

Yes, uneven floors often indicate foundation settling or shifting. We assess the cause of the issue and provide leveling solutions, such as foundation replacement, underpinning, or cosmetic leveling, to provide stability and a level living space.

Testimonials

What People are Saying

I had Ward Construction remove and replace a failing retaining wall (6 foot exposure by 45 ft long) several years ago. Ward created the new design, drafted blueprints, arranged for the county permits and inspections, provided million dollar proof of insurance to East Bay Regional parks (we share a boundary with EBRPD) and managed all aspects of the project and sub-contractors. Over the years I've had numerous construction and renovation projects completed on several homes by various contractors. Ward Construction was the most professional and honest, easiest to deal with, most on-time, hardest working and most cost-effective contractor that I've worked with. At our final county inspection, the inspector measured everything against the permit documents, shook my hand and simply said "beautiful work". I can recommend Ward Construction without reservation.

Burt Bechtel Avatar Burt Bechtel
May 14, 2024

Strickly professional 👍

mlucero552004 Lucero Avatar mlucero552004 Lucero
June 4, 2024

Great experience with Ward Construction a few months ago. They did a major drainage project in our house. Top quality work and a wonderful crew that communicated very well. We would definitely recommend them.

Jens Birkholzer Avatar Jens Birkholzer
September 8, 2025

I was very impressed with the team, working diligently through some very unfavorable conditions (there was a week of epic rain just after they started trenching). They were on time and respectable throughout. Even the neighbors commented on how kind they were.

We live in a small community with specific parking and work conditions and the crew was very mindful of that. Now that it's been a few months, with various rain storms, I'm happy to see the new drain doing its job, with runoff still coming out even a week after the rain stops (while I see none coming from other nearby properties). The crawlspace has stayed dry as a result. It's working. 

In addition, you're the only company that came by and tried to assess the proper depths needed for the drains, as well as the placement (based on the slope of the back patio). That was what led me to select your group for the job.

Thank you for the expert service.

MIKE S.
APRIL 4, 2025

protect your home today

Preventive repairs can save you stress and money. Don't let drainage problems or structural deficiencies endanger one of your biggest investments.  Schedule your expert estimate today.

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Ward Construction serves Alameda, Contra Costa, and parts of Marin and Solano Counties.