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Fixing Out-of-Level Foundation wall for Mudsill

LearningtoBuild2025 | Posted in Construction Techniques on February 24, 2025 06:19pm

Hello, I chatted with Quikrete about this today but wanted to post here to see what feedback I would get.

We’re building a small 16×24 studio cabin, on a CMU block wall crawl space foundation – CMU filled with rebar and concrete. 
Our foundation contractor’s skill level was not stellar. 
Previously I posted about compensating as the foundation is also out of square.  This time I’m asking about fixing out-of-level.

We may call the contractor back to come fix this, but there’s the possibility we will decide to DIY the fix. Either way, we want to have a solid understanding and plan for how to fix it. 

In some places, the foundation wall is out of level by as much as 2-2.5 inches.  See picture as illustration.  The board is propped up on a couple bearing plates and a 2×4 board, so in this location the board is raised a total of 2″ to get the mudsill board level.
Overall, the majority of the wall is out of level unfortunately, needing built up in a range from 1/2″-2.5,”  (In addition to ibeam level method shown in picture, we have a basic laser level, doesn’t work well in daylight but we’ve taken it out at night and checked the whole perimeter with the laser.)

Quikrete chat product specialist recommended Polymer-Modified Structural Repair, which comes in 20lb bucket ($26) or supposedly also a 50 lb bag which I THINK is typically basically the same price as the 20lb  bucket.  But I can’t locate the 50 lb bags.  The 50 lb bags are listed unavailable in store and online on the big box websites, and calling my local store I was told they cannot special order them.  To use the 20lb buckets would get quite expensive given the amount necessary.  As I calculated for 50 pound bags, my first rough average calculation came to us needing around qty 7 of the 50 pound bags.

I’m waiting on a reply from Quikrete to see if there’s any other alternative product/method.  While I’m waiting, thought I’d ask here.  What’s best practice for fixing this unlevel foundation wall?

A few related notes – 
-Jurisdiction uses IRC 2018
-The foundation contractor installed cast-in-place anchor bolts but we will have to cut them all off and replace with Simpson Titan HD Screw Anchors.
-A layer of drylock was applied on the wall, including the top as capillary break underneath mudsill.  According to Quikrete, I understand this would need to be grinded off before adding any type of structural repair for leveling, as Quikrete advised it would affect adhesion.

Appreciate any responses to help us get back on track with this in an efficient and structurally sound way.

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