California Foundation Works is a Los Angeles based construction company that specializes in foundation repair and concrete work, earthquake retrofitting and different drainage solutions for your property. If you are a home owner, general contractor, architect or a real estate agent, we are certain this blog will provide you with relevant information regards foundation integrity, floor leveling, seismic safety and drainage solution in Southern California.
Earthquake Effects and the Need for Seismic Retrofitting
There are many appealing aspects of settling down in Southern California, but earthquakes are certainly not one of them. While major ...
The Ultimate Guide for the Soft Story Retrofit Cost Recovery Program
Many Los Angeles County residents have received mandatory soft-story retrofit ordinances in the mail, requiring them by law to update their ...
The Effects of Moisture on Foundation and How to Solve Them
When it comes to protecting your property value and ensuring for the lasting structural stability of your building, maintaining a healthy ...
Benefits of Waterproofing Your Property
When it comes to home maintenance, there are many aspects of upkeep that homeowners should be aware of. One of the ...
Different Types of Drainage Systems
Have you noticed drainage system failures in your yard? From soggy areas to destroyed vegetation and water intrusion, the effects of ...
What if You Don’t Finish Your Soft Story Retrofit in Time?
In Los Angeles alone, over 20,000 buildings have been served mandatory soft-story retrofitting ordinances, making the need for a soft story ...
The Ultimate Homeowner Guide to Floor Leveling
When it comes to home repairs, some problems are easier to spot than others. One of the most apparent problems that ...
Cracks in the Wall? Here’s What You Need to Know
Maybe you’re performing a routine home inspection or simply walking around your home when you notice something that would cause panic ...
Why You Should Install a Drainage System in the Spring/Summer
Drainage systems are necessary components of healthy homes. Improperly installed drainage systems can ruin landscaping and lead to water intrusion in ...
Asphalt vs. Concrete Driveways
Whether you’re building a new home or improving upon your current dwelling, driveways make for important areas of renovation. Damaged driveways ...
4 Steps to Soft Story Retrofitting
The process of soft-story retrofitting, step by step Soft-story structures are a growing concern for Southern California residents, with thousands of ...
5 Reasons Why You Should Convert Your Garage Now
What Is Garage Conversion? You might not realize it, but you could be sitting on some untapped space. Many Southern California ...
5 Reasons Why Foundation Erodes
Poor Drainage The most common type of foundation damage is caused by water over-saturation of the soils surrounding the foundation. The ...
Garage Conversion in Los Angeles
Garage Conversion Los Angeles homeowners can now convert their garages into dwellings after the Senate Bill No. 1069 legalized garage conversions. ...
Understanding The Causes of Foundation Damage
Understanding The Causes of Foundation Damage The durability of a house relies on a solid foundation. As the base of the ...
Foundation Underpinning Retrofit with Piers
Foundation Underpinning Retrofit with Piers The foundation of your home is essential in providing the strength and stability of your dwelling. ...
When Is Foundation Replacement Necessary?
When Is Foundation Replacement Necessary? When it comes to protecting the investment value of your home, it’s essential to maintain the ...
Yard Drainage Installation for California Homeowners
Yard Drainage Basics In order to ensure for the structural integrity of your home, you must have a proper drainage system. ...
Foundation Replacement
Foundation Replacement Major home repairs, such as foundation replacement, are a process that no homeowner enjoys. However, in some cases, they ...
Los Angeles Floor Leveling
Your Home Is Your Fortress Los Angeles homeowners may have secured themselves a coveted piece of real estate, but there are ...
Earthquake Retrofitting 101: Securing Your Home
Solutions To Seismic Safety A number of solutions can be ideal for houses susceptible to earthquakes, especially if they are located ...
Benefits of Foundation Bolting
How Your House Can Benefit From Foundation Bolting The structural integrity of your home depends on a strong foundation. Houses in ...
Foundation Inspection In Preparation For Rain
Keep Your Property Well-Drained Winter or right before the beginning of winter is the best time to get a foundation inspection ...
Ways In Which Rain Can Destroy Your House
Water Damage Apart from the cold weather that winter comes with, it also brings rain which can cause damage to your ...
Ways in Which Decorative Concrete is Used
Why Concrete? Concrete is a widely used construction material that is trusted and has been around for many years. Not only ...
Why You Need To Install a Drainage System in The Summer
When To Install? After experiencing rainfall during the winter, it is wise for homeowners to take advantage of the summer to ...
The Foundation Leveling Process
What Is Foundation Leveling the process of getting a foundation back to its original position and this can be achieved by ...
Reasons Los Angeles Homes Need Foundation Inspections
Why Foundation Is Damaged? Foundation damage is a serious and costly problem for homeowners all over the country but it does ...
How Landscaping Affects Your Foundation
Landscaping Can Cause Trouble Everybody wants to have an inviting home with beautiful curb appeal, but in the process of doing ...
Types of House Foundations
Which One Fits Your House? The type of foundation each house is built on mostly depends on the soil type of ...
Things To Put Into Consideration Before Garage Relocation
What To Consider There are many reasons as to why you might want to relocate your garage to a different location ...
A Leaning Chimney Could Mean Foundation Damage
It’s time to call a professional if your chimney is leaning away or over your house or if it just doesn’t …
What Affects The Cost Of Soft Story Retrofit ?
Previous earthquakes in the Los Angeles area have proved to be very devastating to the residents of Los Angeles. Be it …
What Affects The Cost Of Seismic Retrofit
Earthquakes can either be low intensity earthquakes or high intensity earthquakes which might claim lives and cause damage to properties, hence …
Ways in Which Concrete Can Increase Your Yard’s Curb Appeal
‘Whether you just want your yard to look impressive to your neighbors and visitors or you are planning to sell your …
Safe Sidewalks LA Program
The city of Los Angeles has sidewalks that have deteriorated to an extent where most of them are a danger to …
How To Apply For The Earthquake Brace and Bolt Program
Los Angeles is prone to earthquakes and the long awaited mega earthquake called the Big one along the San Andreas fault …
How To Maintain Foundation Moisture Level In Summer
Summer is fast approaching and Los Angeles Homeowners and commercial building owners are beginning to prepare their properties for the moisture …
Questions To Ask Your Concrete Contractor
Los Angeles residents are beginning to think about outdoor activities as summer approaches, hence the need for the installation of new …
How Expansive Soils Can Affect Your Hillside Home
Owning a home on expansive soils can be tough but owning a hillside home on expansive soils can be even worse. …
What Type of Retaining Wall Does Your Los Angeles House Need ?
Owning a house in an area like Los Angeles can be a bit of a challenge due to geographic and climatic …
Do You Need A Crawlspace Encapsulation ?
Moisture problems in your crawlspace are not always easy to notice and worse still not easy to find the right solution …
What Is A French Drain ?
You need a good drainage system in order to have good drainage for your yard and landscape. Good drainage will come …
Do You Have a Sinking Driveway ?
A compromised driveway is not only unsightly but it is also not safe for you and your family. Sinking of the …
Preparing Your Home Foundation For Summer ?
It’s almost summertime and as enjoyable as the summer season is, it presents a number of problems for your home. …
When Should You Resurface Your Driveway ?
Driveways will last for a very long time if you are able to take care of them accordingly. Driveway resurfacing …
Protect Your Los Angeles Home Against Mudslides and Landslides
Mudslides and Landslides are powerful events that not only result in injuries and deaths but also cause damages of over …
Slab Foundation or Pier and Beam Foundation ?
Chances are you either have a slab foundation or pier and beam foundation and as a homeowner you should know the …
Foundation Damage Caused By The Storms in Los Angeles
Los Angeles residents have been on their toes as storms have been sweeping through Los Angeles in the past weeks. However …
Poor Drainage Can Destroy Your Landscape
A good drainage system can mean the difference between a landscape with curb appeal and one that’s an eyesore. You …
How To Deal With a Sinking House
A sinking house is initially a puzzle to homeowners as they don’t know what’s happening to their property when signs …
Drainage Solutions That Your Los Angeles House Needs
Water related damage accounts for the vast majority of property damage in Los Angeles, especially homes. There are various ways …
Common Misconceptions About Foundations
Because of how important a foundation is, a lot of people will tend to believe in certain negative misconceptions about foundations …
When should you get a foundation repair ?
Don’t wait for a huge crack in your foundation before you can be sure that your house needs a foundation repair, …
When Do Cracks Mean Structural Damage
When it comes to cracks you’ve probably been told that any cracks you see on your building, especially the foundation is …
What Effect Do the Storms Have on Your Los Angeles Home ?
It’s refreshing to know that almost all of Los Angeles is out of drought after experiencing storms in the past weeks, …
Insurance and Foundation Damage
Foundation damage is one of the worst forms of damage a homeowner can experience not just because it’s relatively expensive to …
Ways to Prevent Damage to Your Retaining Wall
Even though a retaining wall requires little to no maintenance, not inspecting it or having routine maintenance will shorten it’s lifespan. …
How To Choose a Drainage Contractor
How do you choose a drainage contractor ? Drainage contractors are experts who provide water management related services with regards to …
Is Your Parking Lot Flooding ?
One of the most important aspects of a parking lot that is often overlooked is its drainage. Whether the parking lot …
Do it Yourself or Hire a Professional Drainage Contractor ?
Hundreds if not thousands of home and property owners experience a water damage or emergency at home or work everyday. For …
Prevent Soil Erosion This Winter
Soil erosion is when the upper most layer of the soil is moved from one spot to another by a number …
Yard Drainage Problems During Winter
It’s normal to have a flooded yard for a few hours after a rain storm, but if your yard turns into …
Wet Weather Is A Big Problem For Los Angeles Homes
Wet weather is a big problem for Los Angeles homes because it tends to affect the properties very negatively. Wet weather …
Does Foundation Waterproofing Help ?
It’s estimated that US households exceed over 1 trillion gallons of water in annual leakages and that the cost to repair …
My Foundation Is Leaking, What Do I Do ?
My foundation is leaking, what do i do ? is the question most homeowners ask themselves because of the lack of …
Your Winter Preparedness Checklist for Your House Should Look Like This
Winters in the Los Angeles area can range from moderate to property damaging storms. Harsh winter conditions can cause flooding, wind …
Signs You Might Have Poor Drainage
Not only do most drainage problems occur during winter but winter rain also tends to expose a lot of underlying drainage …
Prepare Your Gutters For Winter
Rain gutters help to direct large amounts of rainwater away from basement walls or foundation walls to prevent damage or flooding. …
When Is a Sump Pump Needed ?
A sump pump is a pump that is installed in the lowest part of a crawlspace or basement. The job of …
Are You Planning To Buy A House ? 5 Things You Need To Know About Foundations
Knowing that you are about to be a homeowner can be a very exciting feeling and in some instances it can …
Spotting Foundation Problems During Winter
As we welcome the winter rainfall, it’s important for homeowners to understand that 90% of all foundation problems involve water. Whether …
Prepare For Winter By Getting A Foundation Inspection
It’s common amongst homeowners to inspect and repair windows, doors, heating and ventilation before the start of winter but one of …
Does Your Soft Story Building Need Reinforcement ?
A high magnitude earthquake could cause damage to a great number of buildings but even worse is what it can do …
Should You Retrofit Your Commercial Building ?
In the last five years, the residents of Los Angeles have become much more aware of the fact that a high magnitude …
Hiring A Foundation Waterproofing Contractor
Waterproofing a foundation prevents damage to your foundation and other costly structural damages. It prevents water from penetrating your foundation and …
How to Protect Your Driveway During Winter
To keep your driveway intact, certain measures and maintenance techniques should be put in place especially during winter. Both asphalt and …
Is Your Hillside Home Retrofitted ?
The most iconic homes in Los Angeles are built on hillsides and their landscapes are breathtaking. Because of Los Angeles’s mountainous …
Earthquake safety tips
The likelihood of a high magnitude earthquake in Los Angeles always seems to be on the rise as days go by. …
3 Ways Rain Can Damage Your Foundation
Water is responsible for most of the foundation problems experienced by homeowners. With rain being one of the main sources of …
How to Solve the Foundation Moisture Problems During Winter
As winter approaches, so do foundation moisture problems. Depending on the type of foundation you have, you should be on the …
Ways Of Waterproofing Your Foundation For Winter
With water being one of the main causes of foundation damage, It’s wise to do whatever you can to keep water …
Preventing Foundation Damage During Winter
Foundation damage during winter is very common because of the the extreme cold and frequent downpour of rain. Winter in California …
When Do You Need A Post and Pier Repair Or Reinforcement ?
A post and pier foundation is one of the most preferred types of foundations amongst homeowners because of their ease of …
Is A Retaining Wall Necessary ?
Retaining walls are not just there to enhance your yards’ scenery, they are actually very practical and serve multiple purposes. There …
How to Retrofit Your Home Against Earthquakes
Whether of low or high magnitude, An earthquake will definitely put your building structure to the test. In areas such as …
6 Common Causes of Foundation Damage
Foundation damage is caused by a number of factors, factors which are either caused by homeowners or by nature. As a …
What If You Delay Foundation Repair ?
It’s human tendency to put off certain tasks such as home maintenance but foundation repair is one of those tasks that …
Foundation Damage Caused by Trees
Trees will literally make or break your property. Your property’s curb appeal can be greatly enhanced by the presence of trees …
How Are Foundation Cracks Fixed ?
Foundations are rigid structures that are prone to cracks over time. Even though not all cracks lead to foundation damage, It’s …
What is A Sister Wall Foundation ?
There are several ways of dealing with a flawed foundation and building a sister foundation is one of them. A sister …
When Do You Need A Foundation Replacement ?
The biggest question running through a homeowners head when faced with foundation problems is usually whether they need a foundation repair …
Taking Care of Your Driveways In Summer
It seems with every new summer in Southern California comes to a record-shattering heat wave, and It’s hard to overlook the …
How Can An Asphalt Parking Lot Help Your Business?
Whether you run or own your own business, finding new ways to bring in customers is most definitely on your to …
The Summer Effect On Your Drainage System
Summer is a beautiful blessing. The warm weather brings about the beautiful plants and atmosphere but below the ground it wreaks …
Your House May Have Been Built on Expansive Soils, and You Should Be Worried
Expansive soils which are sometimes referred to as clay soils, swelling soils or shrink-swell soils can create enough force to cause …
How The California Drought Affects Your Foundation
A drought dries the soils to the point where severe settlement of the home can lead to critical structural damage. During …
Home Drainage Advise Before Winter Starts!
Your house is probably the most important investment that you could ever have. Just like your car, your house needs maintenance …
Preventative Drainage Solutions For Your Home in Los Angeles
Having trouble with your drainage can cause expensive damages if not properly repaired. Structural damage may lead to cracks and foundation …
How to choose a licensed foundation contractor?
Your home is a very precious investment that could stay in your family for years to come. It is an important …
Draining Solution Tips For The Los Angeles Homeowner
When a home is built atop a crawl space this places it at risk for foundation damage from pooling water. Excessive …
First Steps In Evaluating Your Home Foundation:
Does your home show signs of slab failure ? It’s essential to inspect your home at the 1st indication of foundation …
Insurance Agencies Don’t Cover Foundation Repairs
Homeowners insurance can compensate you when your home or property is damaged in ways that your policy covers. Damage to the …
A Foundation Which Appears Level May Need Repair
Despite popular misconception, simply examining the levelness of a slab is not a sufficient means of determining whether underpinning is needed. …
We Help Solving Foundation Problems
Common Warning Signs for Foundation issues: Inside the Building: • Wall, ceiling or drywall cracks. • Stuck or difficult to open …
Why You Should Retrofit Your Home in Los Angeles?
1. Cracks in your walls or foundation allow water to seep in to your home: – Every time there is a …
Peace of Mind with Concrete Waterproofing
The foundation is basically what the house is built on, what keeps the building where it was built, transferring the dead …
Are Engineering Reports Needed or Not?
Often when embarking on a foundation repair project it is unknown if an engineering report will be necessary or not. Some …
Foundation Damage Due to Droughts
California summers in the past few years have been among the driest on record. While moisture is one of the worst …
Structural Tips When Buying a Home
There are many aspects one must check when buying a home. Structural integrity is one of the most important. Structural issues, …
Beware of Foot in the Door foundation repair estimate from foundation repair companies in Los Angeles, CA.
Today we are going to discuss the practice that some companies refer to as “Foot in the door” estimates. What is …
5 Important Reasons to Repair your Home’s Foundation
1. Cracks in your walls or foundation allow water to seep in to your home: – Every time there is a …
Preventive Care for Foundation Repair
Whether new construction or existing homes, there are certain actions homeowners can take to prevent or minimize foundation cracks and shifts. …
Proper Drainage Can Prevent Costly Foundation Repairs for Los Angeles Homeowners
Inadequate drainage can be a serious problem for homeowners in the Los Angeles area for a variety of reasons. Among the …
The Winter Effect on Your Property Foundation
Los Angeles residential and commercial property owners may not recognize the adverse impact that the winter season has on the structural …
It’s Rain Season Again!
Is your home protected against the potential damage that can be caused by rain and pooling water? As many homeowners know, …
Driveway Drainage Issues After Rain ?
Inadequate drainage can become a serious problem for homeowners in the Los Angeles area for many reasons. Erosion and cracking of …
How to Asses When Your Home Needs Foundation Repair
The foundation of your home determines its durability since it will prove how it will last longer. As you age, your …
Foundation Repair: What to Expect at Your Inspection
Foundations are very essential to the integrity of a home and other structures. A cracked foundation is a sign of potential …
What Can I Do to Avoid Foundation Damage?
Every homeowner knows the vital role of a home foundation. A poorly constructed home foundation is prone to destruction and causes …
Foundation Cracks: To Worry or Not to Worry, That is the Question
If you happen to see cracks in your foundation, should you be worried or not? Obviously, most homeowners are worried about …
Factors to Consider – Symptoms, Methods and Costs of Foundation Repair in Los Angeles
Every homeowner desires to secure the value of their property. They always guarantee that their houses are in good condition. In …
Engineering and Foundation Repair
The strong structural engineering of your home provides stability to the entire structure. Oppositely, even the slightest damage might turn into …
Drainage Problems and Your Foundation
Having trouble with your drainage can cause expensive damages if not properly repaired. Structural damage may lead to cracks and foundation …
How To Spot Foundation Damage Caused By Drought
You don’t have to be a weather geek to be well aware of the severe heat waves and drought that have …
Retrofitting a Los Angeles Home for Earthquakes
It is not uncommon for houses to experience a certain level of damage due to calamities like earthquakes, especially if you …
Causes and Solutions to Common Drainage Problems
It is your responsibility as a homeowner to ensure that all the parts and systems that you have in your home …
Los Angeles Foundation Repair: Choosing the Right Methods
There are several characteristics about the Los Angeles area that should be considered when dealing with your home foundations and Foundation …
How to Determine if Your House Needs A Foundation Repair
Your house rests on a foundation, most commonly either a cement slab or a raised foundation. In a slab foundation there …
How to Determine if Your Home Needs a Floor Leveling
Have you noticed that your floors are uneven, that your doors and windows are hard to open or close and that …
Pier and Beam Foundation Repair and Leveling
Depending on what part of the country you live in, buy enough houses and odds are great that you’ll eventually end …
Preparing Your Slab Floor for Flooring Installation
No matter what kind of finished flooring you plan to install, the substrate must be properly prepared. In the case of …
Why You Should Hire A Professional Foundation Contractor To Build Your Retaining Wall?
The need for a retaining arises when the earth begins to shift, erode, crumble, or otherwise change its position due to …
Save Thousands By Having A Foundation Drainage Inspection
Everyone knows that the economy is tough and that nobody has any extra money to spend on unnecessary home repairs. But …
Why Does My Home Need to be Retrofitted?
Homes foundation is the main support and back bone for the rest of the house. If it is not level, intact, …
New Spotlight on house bolting – Sill Bolt and Plate Washer Interference
Despite the widespread use and familiarity of structural connectors, when not installed properly, they can become a source of headaches on …
A Chance to Make Peoples Homes a Safer Place
In light of recent events in Japan, Chile, and other parts of the world, devastating earthquakes causing unprecedented devastation, we here …
Installing Proper Drainage Systems in Your Home
If you want a dry crawl space and a sound foundation, you must have an adequate foundation drainage system. The water …
How to Make an “Economic” Foundation Repair in Recession Times?
In these trying times of a recession, one doesn’t like to spend money on non-essential items. Buying a new 52” Vizio …
The Cost of House Foundation Repair
When we think of a home with a foundation problem we think of how much of a hassle it can be …
Easter Quake Study Reveals Surprising New Findings
New images suggest it put us at higher risk for a major earthquake When a 7.2 magnitude earthquake rocked San Diego …
4 Reasons Why You Should Retrofit Your Soft-Story Building Now
Preventative protection. Although the cost of a retrofit may seem daunting in today’s economy, spending the money now to protect your …
Thousands of Soft-Story Structures Still Need Retrofitting
Since the Northridge quake, little has been done to prepare some soft-story structures Full story: NBC Los Angeles It’s been 17 …
5 Main Reasons For Foundation Repair
1. 25% of homes will experience foundation problems across the United States, 45% more expected in California due to a higher …
Foundation Repair & Insurance
Generally, foundation repair is not covered by most insurance policies. Insurance is designed in such a way as to cover for …
House Leveling & Construction
On most structures, after long period of time, building foundations will have some degree of settlement. There are a variety of …
What is Your Home Worth in Today’s Market?
Many people associate foundation problems with older homes, however Consumer Reports found that an alarming 20% of new homes had serious …
$17.2 Million Damage to Homes
Many California residents who endured flooding, mudslides and evacuations during a weeklong onslaught of rain must now clean up or even …
Selling a Home with Tree Roots Vegetation and Foundation Problems
Tree roots and shrubs can be the source of home foundation problems. Trees and shrubs withdraw large amounts of water from …
Be Careful of Foundation Problems When Getting Your Home Ready for the Market
In today’s tight economy selling a house isn’t easy these days. There are a huge number of homes on the market, …
Brace your Garage Door Opening
Garages are particularly vulnerable to earthquake damage, and especially if there is living space above the garage. The narrow walls on …
Earthquake Preparedness Tips for Your Home
Here is a list of 13 Earthquake Preparedness Tips for homeowners living in earthquake country. 1. Check chimneys, roofs, and wall foundations …
Baja Earthquake Puts Strain On Los Angeles
The magnitude 7.2 earthquake that rocked desert communities in Baja, Mexico on 4 April 2010 appears to have transferred strain onto …
Landslide Threat: Mandatory Evacuations Near Los Angeles
Landslide Threat: Mandatory Evacuations Near Los Angeles December 22, 2010 | LA Times Parts of Southern California have received over 12 …
Latest Southern California Rains Might Jeopardize Your Home’s Foundation!
California Foundation Works Warns of Poor Drainage Problems Can Damage your Home Foundations! If you live near Los Angeles, in the …
Requiring Sidewalk Repairs at the Point of Sale
How does a point-of-sale strategy work? Before any sale, the city inspects the sidewalk fronting the property. If the inspector finds …
Crawl Space Encapsulation
Health Effects of Mold Mold has become a big issue in recent years — the subject of lawsuits, closed schools, and …
Testemonials
customer feedback: “i did my homework….they were the lowest price, and they gave me a great price on my foundation replacement. …
Property Retrofitting
Specializes in helping the Real Estate Industry and property sellers with the installation of safety and/or water conservation devices required by …
Chimney Rebuilding
There is no completely effective way of preventing earthquake damage to an unreinforced masonry chimney. The best solution is …
How will i know if i need retrofitting ?
How will I know if I need retrofitting? What to look for … To check your home’s earthquake fitness, all you need …
Are You Prepared for the next Earthquake?
Unlike hurricanes or some other natural disasters, earthquakes strike suddenly and without warning, therefore the only thing you can do is …
What is the risk?
The Northridge Earthquake in January 1994 approximately rearranged almost 2000 square miles of Los Angeles, leaving portions of it almost two …
Improve The Marketability of Your Buildings!
Sellers of residential buildings are always looking for ways to make their properties more marketable. One way to improve the marketability …
