RWR supports and repairs foundations 

WE DO

• Foundation repairs including
  • Pier & Grade Beam Foundations
  • Spread Footing Foundations
  • Foundation Crack Repair
• Underpinning/support of existing foundations with
  • Reinforced concrete piers
  • Driven steel minipiles
  • Helical anchors and piles
  • Push piles
  • Hand-dug pits
• Replacement of existing foundations
• Installation of foundation drainage systems
• excavating and demolition

Foundation problems are suspect when
you notice cracking in walls, doors or windows jamming, or unlevel floors.

Foundation problems here in the Bay Area
often develop due to an inadequate original design, where the foundation does not penetrate down into competent bearing material. Surface and subsurface water further aggravate the problem by softening and causing movement in soil around and under foundations.

A further cause of differential movement
(uneven movement of the foundation) is where a foundation has been built over fill material that has not been properly drained and compacted, or built on expansive soils without the proper design. Expansive soils expand when moisture is present, and shrink when moisture is absent, much like a sponge, creating stresses on foundations.

 Depending on the cause of the problem,
foundations can be repaired by extension of the foundation down into competent bearing material, installation of drainage to prevent water infiltration, or strengthening or replacing the foundation itself.

Underpinning

Underpinning is the extension of the existing foundation down to competent bearing material, which is material that will support the weight of the house and foundation without settling. Techniques include installing reinforced concrete piers, driven steel piles or push piles, hand-dug pits, helical anchors or self-drilling anchors.

Underpinning of existing foundation with helical anchors; top brackets showing.

Drilled pier reinforcement for underpinning of house on hillside.