Foundation Services: Repair, Replace & Reinforce in the Bay Area

For any home, regardless of location, its foundation is its bedrock. If it fails, the whole house is at risk. 

In the San Francisco Bay Area, the importance of a strong property foundation is increased tenfold. 

This area, though beautiful, sits on several active faults. Scientists even suggest there’s a 72% chance a magnitude 6.7+ earthquake will hit the area in the next 30 years. 

If your home doesn’t have a strong foundation before this, it could end catastrophically. That’s why foundation services, including repair, replacement, and reinforcement, are essential in the Bay Area. 

Why Strong Foundations Are Important in the Bay Area 

In the last 150 years, the region has experienced 22 earthquakes of magnitude 6.0+. More will come as well. 

When this happens, not if, and your foundation fails, it can result in six-figure damage and, more severely, death. In fact, Bay Area regulators warn homeowners in the region to prepare for “liquefaction and landslide” hazards when quakes hit. 

Source: ABAG 

Strong, code-compliant foundations, however, will protect your home, investment, and loved ones. They keep the floor level, resist cracks, and hold your house plumb during seismic shaking. 

Common Foundation Issues in the Bay Area 

When it comes to foundation issues for properties in the Bay Area, they usually experience one of the following: 

• Soft Soils and Liquefaction: Much of the Bay Area is built on landfill or bay mud. These soils can act like quicksand, causing the home’s foundation to settle, tilt, or crack. 

• Expansive Clay Soils: Some inland areas in the Bay Area have clay-rich “shrink-well” soils. This solid has a lot of movement, causing hairline cracks in walls or uneven floors. 

• High Seismic Activity: The Bay Area is seismic country, so small, moderate, or heavy quakes can cause damage to the foundation, like loosening bolts, cracking concrete, etc. 

• Soft-Story Vulnerabilities: Soft-story homes are commonly found in the Bay Area, especially in California. If they don’t have proper bracing, these can collapse in a quake. 

• Landslide and Erosion Risks: The Bay’s hillsides are steep and often have loose soil. This can result in some homes being prone to landslides with improper foundations. 

• Poor Drainage and Flooding: Some foundations will sink due to improper drainage. This can cause the ground to erode, causing settlement or cracks. 

At Avant-Garde, we offer services that can repair, prepare, and combat each of the mentioned foundation issues. 

Foundation Work as a Long-Term Investment

Many Bay Area homeowners and investors hesitate to get foundational work done because of the perceived cost. 

But in reality, delaying repairs is generally the most expensive option. Minor cracks can grow into structural failures, uneven floors can cause stress distribution, etc. 

Therefore, addressing these issues not only protects your safety, but it also preserves the value of your property which in some cases, is your most valuable asset. 

Alongside this, having documented foundation repairs or upgrades for a Bay Area home helps it sell faster and at a higher price. Simply, buyers want peace of mind and are looking for a home built on a solid foundation, literally and legally. 

Plus, it will help preserve your property. When we do encounter a major earthquake (which will happen), you, your family, and your property will have the extra protection you deserve.

These are the very reasons why you shouldn’t look at foundation work as a burden. It’s an investment in your home, life, and future. 

Foundation Evaluation Services 

Before any work begins, it’s essential to understand the problem you’re dealing with. That’s why we offer foundation evaluation services to determine the condition of your home’s foundation. 

• General Foundation Evaluation & Report: We are a licensed contractor with decades of experience, and we will examine your home for things like cracks, uneven floors, and signs of moisture. We then take this information and create a report recommending repair options (if required). 

• Foundation Escrow Evaluation & Report: For real-estate assessments, we’ll perform a complete review to catch major issues like settlement or cracks, helping buyers (and sellers) make better investments. 

• Site Elevation Surveys: During a site survey, we map floor levels and surrounding grades, then we recommend options to ensure a level and stable foundation plus water drains away from your foundation adequately. 

These services are the foundation (pardon the pun) for a safer property. After these services, we can then focus on making the repairs and reinforcements. 

Repair and Reinforcement Services 

After an evaluation is complete, we’ll know what to repair and reinforce. While performing these services, we use proven methods for Bay Area soils, seismic activity, and local building codes. 

• Foundation Repair and Replacement: We pour new footings, epoxy cracks, or completely replace deteriorated foundations to restore structural integrity. 

• Concrete Slabs and Grade Beams: Slabs that have settled are lifted using foam injection or mudjacking. Grade beams can also be installed to distribute weight more evenly. 

• Foundation Concrete Piers and Push Piers: To lift and level the home, we can install concrete piers and push piers.  

• Home Leveling and Shoring: By using synchronized jacks, we can raise the home. This helps us align everything before we begin a foundation repair, replacement, or reinforcement. 

Most homes, from minor to major repairs, can benefit from our foundation services. 

Full Foundation Replacements & New Construction Services 

For new builds or complete rebuilds, our team offers full-scope foundation construction and site-prep services. 

• New Foundations and Framing: This includes everything from excavation to framing, ensuring new foundations meet California and local seismic codes. 

• Site Grading, Excavation & Hauling: We can also cut and fill to create level building pads, install a drainage system, and haul away any excess soil, ensuring proper grading. 

• Demolition & Hauling: Our team will also demolish old foundations and dispose of any debris following the correct environmentally friendly practices. 

At Avant-Garde, our goal is to provide complete end-to-end structural services to property owners, buyers, and investors in the Bay Area. 

Why Choose Avant-Garde 

We’re chosen by Bay Area residents, investors, and property developers because we understand the area and provide a full range of services. 

Local Bay Area Experience 

We live, breathe, and work in the Bay Area. We understand its unique geology, microclimates, and city permits. Our team has worked on projects across the entire region. From the thousands of homes in San Francisco all the way to Silicon Valley and beyond. 

That’s why we’re the go-to in the Bay Area. Our experience in Bay Area solids (clay, serpentine, and bay mud) and local building codes (city/county standards) ensures our clients get the most effective solution for their home’s needs. 

Code Compliant Solutions 

Safety and compliance are our number one priority. That’s why every foundation repair or installation meet state and local seismic codes (for example, California Residential Code, ASCE 7, etc.).

Our team will also go as far as obtaining all the necessary permits and scheduling inspections. This hands-off approach ensures that you remain compliant and safe without any additional hassle. We’ll take care of everything. 

Clear Communication 

Foundation work, to the untrained person, can be overwhelming. We understand this. That’s why we keep our communication clear, simple, and honest, turning an overwhelming project into something peaceful. 

Our team will walk you through the entire process. In plain language, we’ll explain what we find, what could happen, your options, and keep you informed along the way. No jargon or confusion, just clear updates so you know what’s going on. 

End-to-End Services 

We are your single source for everything from evaluation to the finished foundation. We’ll handle everything from A-Z, from surveying to repairs to complete rip-outs. No matter the property, Bay Area location, or issue, we’ll be more than happy to help. 

Service Areas 

From our headquarters based in San Leandro, we serve all homeowners, investors, and contractors in the SF Bay Area: 

• Alameda
• Contra Costa
• Marin
• Napa
• San Francisco
• San Mateo
• Santa Clara
• Solano
• Sonoma

The quotes and prices of our service will include additional charges based on the distance of your property from our headquarters. 

Contact Avant-Garde Today 

If you’ve noticed foundation cracks, sloping floors, or have an older home in the Bay Area, schedule a meeting with Avant-Garde today. A minor issue, if not taken care of promptly, could turn into a big issue, resulting in six-figure property damage. 

Don’t wait for this to happen. Be proactive now and get Avant-Garde to perform an evaluation and report. See what’s wrong with your property’s foundation today and get accurate recommendations based on your problem, location, and budget.