Alameda Engineering has been providing a wide range of foundation and drainage services for residential clients throughout the Bay Area since 1989. The family-owned and operated company has the capabilities to work on challenging repairs such as failing retaining walls, failing or failed hillsides, sinking and subsiding foundations, and flooding and seepage problems. It also has special expertise with French drains and sump pump installations.
Owner Lance Capilla says Alameda Engineering’s entire team takes pride in delivering honest, straightforward service and helping customers overcome stressful situations. “Foundation and drainage problems can threaten a home’s safety, so being able to resolve those issues is incredibly fulfilling. Our clients know they can trust us to tell it like it is and focus on efficiently solving their problems.”
Alameda Engineering prioritizes customer satisfaction by addressing underlying concerns with a common sense approach—first and foremost fixing the problem, and then leaving every job site in the best possible shape. "For most people, their yards are important to them because they took years of planning and planting to be established,” says Mr. Capilla. “Although some things are unavoidable, we strive to leave each homeowner’s yard in the best possible condition. Ultimately, we aim to deliver peace of mind and a job well done."
“Our clients are our top priority, so we’re committed to fixing their issues while providing them with excellent service. Whether it’s preventing flooding or repairing a foundation, our goal is to leave every client satisfied with both the results and their overall experience working with us.”
Protect your home by taking steps to correct drainage issues.
Poor drainage can be a real problem for homeowners, particularly those who live in sloped areas or at low elevations. When the soil around a home is saturated with groundwater, it can cause the foundation to expand, leading to cracks and settlement over time. Additionally, water running down sloped areas can wash soil away, causing damage to gardens, sidewalks and foundations—a process known as soil erosion. Further symptoms of improper drainage include pooling water, decaying landscape materials, uneven or damaged hardscapes or paved areas, and flooding.
So, what can homeowners do about this problem? Lance Capilla, owner of Alameda Engineering in Castro Valley, says effectively managing improper drainage requires the expertise of a professional. “A foundation contractor can help solve your drainage problems by diverting excess water away from your home. There are a few ways to do this, depending on the nature of your home’s location and landscape features.”
One common way to combat drainage issues is by installing a French drain—a trench filled with gravel or rock that redirects water away from the home’s foundation or other problem areas. A similar measure is installing a drainage basin at the lowest point on the property and connecting a corrugated pipe to an outlet.
For sloped areas where soil erosion is an issue, a potential solution is installing a retaining wall. This type of structure is often used in sloped areas where extra support is needed to prevent the soil from moving downhill. Not only do retaining walls prevent soil from washing away, but they also improve safety by making hillsides less prone to mudslides. Retaining walls can also be used to create more usable space on a property by leveling out sloped landscapes.
Other ways to address drainage issues include improving your soil, aerating your lawn and regrading your landscape. An experienced foundation contractor can assess your property and identify the most effective steps you can take to combat improper drainage.
Maintaining customer satisfaction is a key component of any business, but it’s even more important for foundation contractors that have earned Diamond Certified. For Alameda Engineering, the easiest way to keep clients happy is to take a “hands on” approach to every job. “I’ve been in this industry for over 40 years, and even though I’m the owner of the company, I regularly visit jobsites and keep tabs on the progress of each project,” says owner Lance Capilla. “A lot of company owners prefer to reign from afar at this point in their careers, but I like to stay immersed in my business.”
Alameda Engineering has been providing foundation and drainage services for residential clients throughout Alameda County since 1989. The family-owned and operated company works on everything from foundation repairs and replacements to drainage systems and retaining walls, and it also has special expertise with sewer lateral replacement projects.
Unlike less experienced foundation contractors that become less customer-focused as they expand their operations, Alameda Engineering prioritizes quality work and customer care over corporate growth. “If you want a bigger company where you’re talking to 10 different guys, that’s not us,” says Mr. Capilla. “We’ve made it a point to stay small, which allows us to focus on each individual customer. We take a personal interest in every job and we’re always there when our customers need to reach us, which they really appreciate.”
Ultimately, Mr. Capilla sees Alameda Engineering’s vast amounts of industry experience as its most important attribute. “After 40 years, we’ve pretty much seen it all,” he affirms. “Even before we start the job, we can typically give the client an idea of how it’s going to go. We’ll explain how long it will take, go over any problems that we might run into and take the time to answer their questions."
