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We Service Kensington!
Perched in the East Bay Hills, Kensington boasts breathtaking views but also presents unique foundation and structural challenges. The area’s hilly terrain makes homes particularly susceptible to soil movement, especially during heavy rains or periods of drought when the soil expands and contracts. Over time, this shifting soil can lead to foundation settling, uneven floors, and cracked walls, which may require professional foundation leveling and reinforcement.
Like much of the East Bay, Kensington is at significant risk of seismic activity due to its close proximity to the Hayward Fault. Many of the homes in this area were built decades ago and were not designed with modern earthquake safety standards in mind. Without proper seismic retrofitting, these homes may be at high risk of damage or collapse in the event of a major earthquake. Retrofitting measures such as foundation bolting, cripple wall bracing, and shear wall installation can provide much-needed stability.
In addition to seismic risks, drainage issues are a common concern in Kensington. The steep slopes mean that rainwater can quickly accumulate, leading to erosion and foundation instability. Homeowners often need to invest in retaining walls, drainage systems, and proper grading to direct water away from their foundations and prevent long-term structural issues.
Retaining Walls
Retaining Walls Retaining walls are often necessary to correct drainage problems around the homes in the hilly areas of Alameda, Berkeley, El Cerrito, Oakland, Walnut Creek, El Sobrante, Alamo, Orinda, Dublin, Hayward, Lafayette, Moraga, and Marin County. Retaining...
drainage for basement flooding
Ward Construction provides services in the greater San Francisco Bay Area including, Oakland, Berkeley, Richmond, San Francisco, Walnut Creek, Lafayette, Orinda, Moraga, Hayward, Marin and other East Bay and North Bay cities. Here's an example of the type of services...
seal the foundation wall
Ward Construction provides services in the greater San Francisco Bay Area including, Oakland, Berkeley, Richmond, San Francisco, Walnut Creek, Lafayette, Orinda, Moraga, Hayward, Marin and other East Bay and North Bay cities. Here's an example of the type of services...
drainage discharge trench
Ward Construction provides services in the greater San Francisco Bay Area including, Oakland, Berkeley, Richmond, San Francisco, Walnut Creek, Lafayette, Orinda, Moraga, Hayward, Marin and other East Bay and North Bay cities. Here's an example of the type of services...
raise house floor leveling
Ward Construction provides services in the greater San Francisco Bay Area including, Oakland, Berkeley, Richmond, San Francisco, Walnut Creek, Lafayette, Orinda, Moraga, Hayward, Marin and other East Bay and North Bay cities. Here's an example of the type of services...
Buckled wall and severe cracks in foundation
A perimeter foundation that has tipped, bowed, or severely cracked requires substantial reinforcement or replacement to prevent further deterioration. Washed-out areas If a broken water pipe, a plugged gutter, or a drainage problem in your yard sent enough water...
Foundation Repair Considerations
Foundation repairs can be simple matters that you can get yourself or they can require major work by a qualified contractor. Read on to learn about your options, to evaluate how serious your problem may be, and whether it's necessary to obtain professional advice from...
Minor Cracks in Concrete – Foundation Repairs
The easiest foundation repairs usually involve narrow cracks less than 1/4 inch wide . When the cracks are located in places where concrete tends to crack naturally the repairs are the easiest. Natural cracking occurs from shrinking. You can probably even ignore these...
Larger Cracks Requiring Foundation Repairs
When cracks get to be 1/4 inch or larger, it is important to examine the cause very closely, and get to the source of the problem. Cracks that appear in stairs, vertical cracks, horizontal cracks and cracks in bricks or blocks suggest there may be serious underlying...
Drainage for Foundation Repairs
A common source of foundation problems is water accumulating in the soil around the foundation. The water causes the soil to expand which actually put pressure on the walls in the footings of the foundation. This pressure can cause cracks to appear. Start with the...