The Problem: Strengthening the Foundation of an Older Berkeley Home

Many Berkeley homes were built decades ago and can eventually require additional structural support as soil conditions change or foundations age. In some cases, engineers recommend installing deep concrete piers to transfer the weight of the home to more stable soils below.

For this Berkeley project, Ward Construction worked from preliminary engineering plans prepared by Dave Olnes to provide additional support beneath the rear of the residence. The project focused on creating a stronger structural foundation system while preserving the existing home above.

The Solution: Installing Reinforced Concrete Foundation Piers

To provide long-term structural support, Ward Construction constructed five reinforced concrete piers, each approximately 18 inches in diameter, along the rear of the residence.

The project also included reinforced concrete haunches to connect the new structural elements to the existing foundation system. These new piers were designed to provide additional support beneath the home while working in conjunction with the existing foundation.

Deep Bench Piers for Additional Support

In addition to the primary foundation piers, Ward Construction installed two bench piers extending approximately five feet deep within the sub-area beneath the home.

Deep foundation piers are commonly used when engineers determine that additional support is needed below existing foundation elements. By extending deeper into the ground, these piers can provide a stable base for supporting structural loads.

Protecting the Existing Home During Construction

Because the work was performed beneath an existing residence, portions of the home’s wood deck were temporarily removed and later replaced as necessary to provide construction access.

The project also included obtaining the required building permit before construction began, ensuring that the work complied with local building requirements and followed the engineer’s design.

Optional Foundation Lifting

After the new pier system was installed, the proposal included an option to lift the existing foundation as much as practical using the newly constructed support system.

Foundation lifting can sometimes improve the alignment of portions of a home after new structural supports have been installed. However, the amount of movement that can safely be achieved depends on the condition of the structure and is evaluated on a project-by-project basis. For this project, foundation lifting was presented as an optional phase following completion of the pier installation.