Foundation Underpinning

Homeowners should pay attention to their home foundation and look for signs of deterioration. Depending on the severity of the damage, one might need a foundation underpinning.

A foundation underpinning pad is essentially a concrete pad that is installed underneath the footing of your foundation to add structural support to a specific section, which has become weakened over time. Our installation department is certified to perform installations for all the different types of foundations out there. A home or foundation inspection will reveal any issues that require foundation underpinning.

These underpinning pads are extremely efficient at reinforcing a specific area without replacing the entire foundation. As you may know, significant earth movement or soil erosion is a frequent cause of foundation damage, and the installation of underpinning pads is a far more cost-effective alternative to foundation replacement.

Foundation Crack Repair

Why Foundation Underpinning?

Underpinning is the process of strengthening and stabilizing the foundation of an existing building or other structure. Foundation underpinning may be necessary for a variety of reasons.

California Foundation Works provides cost-effective solutions for settlement problems due to unstable soils and shifting foundations.

Foundation underpinning and column support strengthen and stabilize the existing structure. Foundations that sit in shallow soil are often susceptible to various issues due to natural soil breakdown.

Foundations underpinning can correct instability issues when columns are placed in problem soils, subjected to extreme moisture conditions, or lack proper drainage. Other benefits include stabilization of soils near excavations and building foundations that prevent undermining of footings.

When correctly designed and installed underpinning provides support for the structure along with eliminating settlement issues. Some causes of a settlement are: Inadequate Footings, Improper Soil Compaction, Damaged and Leaking Underground Utilities, Decaying of Organic Material and Extreme Hydration or Evaporation of Soils

Process Of Foundation Underpinning

Major foundation underpinning is typically done in the A-B slot method. For example, every other 5′ section of the foundation is underpinned (A), and subsequently, the other 5′ sections (B) are underpinned. This method is used to eliminate or minimize the need for shoring.

Underpinning is accomplished by extending the foundation in depth or in breadth so it either rests on a more supportive soil stratum or distributes its load across a greater area.
Underpinning pads are generally used when the loads from the foundations need to be transferred to stable soils at considerable depths.

Underpinning pads may either be augured or driven steel cased, and are normally between 12-36 square feet. Each foundation underpinning retrofit is a unique situation and will be designed by a professional structural engineer.

Foundation Maintenance Guide

Why Us? Why Now?

Don’t allow a foundation damage to turn into a structural stability risk. We at California Foundation Works are proud to be a the experts on anything foundation related to your house. With combined 40 years of experience in the field, we bring our professional experience and out best intentions to serve the client in the best way possible.

At California Foundation Works, we’re happy to guide you through the entire process from the first inspection to the final touches. We will ensure that your Los Angeles home meets all current California codes. Don’t delay when it comes to the safety of your residents and the property value of your building.