The Problem: An Existing Foundation in Need of Structural Work

Older Berkeley homes can require significant foundation and structural improvements, particularly when existing construction no longer meets the needs of the building or an engineer recommends repairs and strengthening.

At this Berkeley home, preliminary engineering plans called for a substantial portion of the existing foundation to be removed and replaced. The project also incorporated several structural components intended to strengthen the connection between the home and its foundation.

Because the foundation work affected existing exterior concrete and finishes, the project required careful coordination of temporary structural support, foundation construction, waterproofing, concrete replacement and stucco repairs.

The Solution: Replacing 115 Feet of Foundation

Ward Construction began by installing temporary support as necessary so that sections of the existing foundation could be safely removed.

Approximately 115 feet of foundation was removed and replaced. The new foundation included a new sill and anchor bolts, creating a new connection between the wood-framed structure and the concrete foundation below.

Foundation replacement of this scale is considerably different from repairing an isolated crack or small deteriorated section. It requires temporarily supporting the structure while the existing concrete is removed and the new foundation is constructed according to the project’s engineering plans.

Adding Shear Panels, Hold-Downs and Structural Connections

The project also included several components commonly associated with strengthening a wood-framed home’s resistance to lateral movement.

Ward Construction built seven plywood shear panels with epoxy-set anchor bolts and hold-downs. Four angle-iron straps were also installed as part of the engineered structural work.

Together with the new foundation, sill and anchor bolts, these components strengthened connections between different parts of the structure.

For Berkeley homeowners considering foundation repair or seismic improvements, this project demonstrates how the work can involve more than the concrete foundation itself. Depending on the engineering design, strengthening may also require improvements to the framing and the connections between the house and foundation.

Rebuilding Concrete Walks and Steps

Replacing the foundation also required removing exterior improvements that were located above or adjacent to the work area.

Approximately 85 square feet of concrete walkways and steps were removed and replaced. New pressure-treated framing and waterproofing were installed beneath the reconstructed concrete.

Ward Construction also installed flashing and patched the exterior stucco where necessary to complete the areas affected by construction.

An Integrated Foundation and Structural Repair

Major foundation projects frequently involve several trades and construction details that homeowners may not initially associate with foundation repair.

For this Berkeley property, the completed scope brought together:

• substantial foundation replacement;
• new sill plates and anchor bolts;
• plywood shear panels and hold-downs;
• structural angle-iron straps;
• waterproofing and pressure-treated framing;
• concrete walkway and step reconstruction; and
• flashing and stucco repairs.

Ward Construction also handled obtaining the required building permit.

The result was a comprehensive structural project based on engineering plans rather than a stand-alone concrete repair.