Foundation Repair
Foundation repair encompasses a range of specialized structural methods intended to support, stabilize, or adjust concrete and masonry foundations that have experienced movement, settlement, or lateral soil pressure over time.
6 possible tasks · typical 5-step process
What it is
Foundation repair involves evaluating and addressing physical movement, soil settlement, and material wear within concrete slabs, crawlspaces, and basement assemblies. Work in this category can encompass mechanical lifting, crack sealing, structural reinforcement, and earth-retention methods around the perimeter of a building. Foundation repair projects are typically focused on primary load-bearing footings and structural components; they generally do not include above-slab framing alterations, finish carpentry, cosmetic drywall repairs, or interior plumbing work.
What Foundation Repair can include
Helical and Push Pier Underpinning
This method can involve driving or rotating steel piers into load-bearing soil strata to provide supplemental support or to facilitate the mechanical lifting of settled concrete footings and slabs.
Foundation Crack Injection
This technique involves introducing pressurized epoxy or expanding polyurethane resins into cracks within poured concrete walls to help seal fissures against moisture or assist with structural cohesion.
Carbon Fiber Reinforcement
Contractors can apply high-tensile carbon fiber straps or fabric sheets to interior basement walls using specialized epoxy systems to help stabilize walls showing signs of lateral deflection.
Wall Anchor and Tieback Installation
This approach typically involves placing exterior earth anchors connected to interior wall plates using steel rods, which are intended to help counteract inward pressure from surrounding soils.
Polyurethane Foam Lifting
High-density expanding polymers can be injected beneath sunken concrete slabs to fill subterranean voids and assist in raising settled surface sections closer to their original alignment.
Crawlspace Support Jacking
This process involves placing adjustable steel support posts or supplemental beams beneath floor systems to help support sagging joists and stabilize post-and-beam frameworks.
How the work is typically performed
- 1
Site Assessment and Elevation Mapping
Technicians visually inspect structural surfaces, measure wall alignment, and often use laser levels or manometers to record elevation variations across the building footprint.
- 2
Site Preparation and Excavation
Crews typically excavate soil around targeted footings or core small access openings through interior concrete slabs to reach designated mechanical contact areas.
- 3
Mechanical Installation and Stabilization
Contractors install structural components such as steel piers, earth anchors, crawlspace jacks, or chemical injection ports into the specified locations.
- 4
Hydraulic Lifting and Monitoring
When elevation recovery is attempted, hydraulic systems can be used to raise foundation sections while technicians monitor structural reactions and movement tolerances.
- 5
Site Restoration and Core Sealing
Technicians patch drill holes using non-shrink cement or epoxy compounds, backfill any exterior excavations, and regrade the soil around the immediate work area.
Common reasons customers look for this service
- Observation of stair-step, horizontal, or diagonal cracking along exterior brick, block, or concrete surfaces
- Presence of uneven, sloping, or unlevel flooring across interior living areas
- Doors and windows that bind, stick, or do not close cleanly within their frames
- Separation or gaps appearing between interior walls, ceilings, baseboards, or floor coverings
- Visible inward bowing, shearing, or tilting observed along basement or crawlspace walls
About Foundation Repair
What is the difference between push piers and helical piers?
Push piers are driven into the ground using the structural weight of the building as resistance and are often utilized on heavier structures situated over deep load-bearing strata. Helical piers utilize screw-like plates that are mechanically rotated into the soil, making them common for lighter structures, specific soil conditions, or tension applications. Selection depends on the specific building design and subsurface conditions.
How does foundation repair relate to cosmetic interior issues like drywall cracks?
Adjusting or stabilizing a foundation can influence framing alignment, which may shift or partially close existing drywall cracks and frame separations. However, cosmetic adjustments, such as repainting or patching finishes, are typically handled as separate interior projects after structural work is completed, and structural response can vary.
What occurs when access holes are drilled through concrete slabs during repairs?
Small access ports are often cored through slabs to allow the insertion of lifting foam or underpinning equipment. Once the mechanical work or injection is complete, these openings are typically patched and sealed with non-shrink hydraulic cement or structural epoxy compounds.
This page provides general information about Foundation Repair for reference only. It is not professional, safety, medical, legal or financial advice, and it does not describe the services of any particular provider. Scope, methods and timing vary by provider and situation. Kuldesac does not perform these services; contact a qualified provider directly to discuss your specific needs.