The Problem: Foundation Deterioration and Uneven Floors

Foundation movement often develops gradually over many years. Homeowners may first notice sloping floors, sticking doors, cracks in walls or uneven floor elevations before realizing that the underlying foundation needs repair.

For this Vallejo home, Ward Construction completed a floor level survey showing the house to be approximately 2.9 inches out of level. Based on the condition of the existing foundation, a repair plan was developed to replace significant portions of the foundation while improving the home’s overall level and drainage.

The Solution: Replacing the Existing Foundation

Ward Construction began by installing temporary structural supports to safely carry the weight of the home during construction.

The existing foundation was then removed and replaced along the right and rear sides of the residence, while leaving the newer foundation beneath the entry porch in place. The new foundation was constructed to conform to Uniform Building Code (UBC) standards for a two-story home, providing modern structural support beneath the repaired sections of the house.

Strengthening the Connection Between the Home and Its Foundation

After the new foundation was completed, Ward Construction installed a pressure-treated sill plate secured with 5/8-inch anchor bolts.

These anchor bolts create a strong connection between the wood framing and the concrete foundation, helping the structure perform as an integrated system. As part of the repair, portions of the existing plywood panels were also removed and replaced where necessary to complete the work.

Improving the Home’s Level

Once the new foundation was in place, Ward Construction re-leveled the home as much as practical over the repaired foundation.

Older homes rarely return to perfectly level after decades of natural settlement, but carefully controlled lifting can often improve floor elevations while avoiding unnecessary stress on the structure. The floor level survey included with the proposal documented elevation changes throughout the home, providing valuable information for planning the repair strategy.

Installing a New Foundation Drainage System

Protecting a newly constructed foundation requires more than structural improvements alone.

To help manage groundwater and roof runoff, Ward Construction installed a new drainage system alongside the replacement foundation. The drainage system was designed to discharge safely to the street, helping move water away from the repaired portions of the home and reducing moisture around the foundation over the long term.