Structural Engineering Services

Foundation problems often require more than a visual inspection or surface repair. When a home has settlement, bowing walls, structural cracking, drainage pressure, or load-bearing concerns, an engineered repair plan helps ensure the solution is safe, code-compliant, and built for long-term performance.

At Cochren Foundation & Repair, we provide structural engineering support for foundation repair and stabilization projects throughout Hamilton, Toronto, the GTA, and Southern Ontario. Our team prepares CAD drawings, repair specifications, permit documentation, and site-specific designs for solutions such as helical piers, push piers, wall anchors, wall braces, backfill requirements, sump systems, and foundation stabilization work.

Every foundation issue is different. Our engineering support helps homeowners, contractors, and project teams understand the cause of the problem, select the right repair method, and document the work needed for permits, construction, and long-term stability.

• CAD drawings and permit documentation: Detailed drawings and repair layouts for foundation repairs, structural modifications, and municipal permit submissions.
• Foundation stabilization design: Site-specific designs for helical pier and push pier systems used to stabilize settlement and transfer loads to deeper support.
• Wall reinforcement specifications: Engineering support for basement wall anchors, wall braces, and structural reinforcement for bowing or leaning foundation walls.
• Drainage and soil pressure considerations: Guidance on backfill height, sump pit installation, drainage correction, and hydrostatic pressure control.
• Repair planning and construction support: Practical engineering input that connects design requirements with real-world foundation repair methods.

Explore common foundation engineering topics and repair systems used to support safe, code-compliant foundation work.

Window Well: Design considerations for safe drainage, grading, and basement window protection.

Allowable Height Of Backfill On Basement Wall: Guidance for understanding soil pressure and safe backfill limits.

Basement Wall Anchor: Engineered stabilization systems for bowed or displaced foundation walls.

Wall Brace: Structural reinforcement options for basement walls affected by lateral pressure.

Helical Pier System: Deep foundation support for settlement repair and load transfer.

Push Pier System: Steel pier systems used to stabilize and lift settling foundation sections.

Why Foundation Walls Crack: Common causes of cracking, movement, soil pressure, and drainage-related damage.

Sump Pit & Pump Systems: Drainage solutions that help manage groundwater and reduce hydrostatic pressure.

Structural engineering may be required when foundation damage affects the stability, safety, or load-bearing performance of the home. It may also be needed when a repair involves permits, structural drawings, wall reinforcement, foundation underpinning, pier systems, or significant movement.

• Foundation settlement or uneven movement
• Bowing, leaning, or displaced basement walls
• Large structural cracks in foundation walls
• Load-bearing wall or footing concerns
• Foundation repairs requiring permit drawings
• Helical pier or push pier stabilization
• Wall anchor, wall brace, or reinforcement design
• Drainage or backfill conditions creating pressure on the foundation

A foundation repair should address the cause of the problem, not just the visible symptom. Engineering-driven repair plans help determine how soil pressure, water, structural loads, wall movement, and settlement are affecting the building. This allows the repair to be designed for the specific site conditions rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach.

Cochren Foundation & Repair provides structural engineering support for foundation repair and stabilization projects throughout Hamilton, Toronto, Burlington, Oakville, Mississauga, Brantford, Cambridge, Guelph, Kitchener-Waterloo, Niagara, and surrounding Southern Ontario communities.

Whether your home has foundation settlement, bowing basement walls, structural cracking, drainage pressure, or requires engineered repair drawings for permits, our team can assess the issue and develop a practical repair plan.