There are two main options when it comes to foundation repair methods – slabjacking and piering. Once one of our foundation repair experts visit your home and review your foundation, we’ll be able to make a recommendation that’s best for your home.
Foundation Piering
Foundation piering is the most popular form of foundation repair. Often referred to as piling, concrete pilings are pressed into the ground at each predetermined location. Pilings/cylinders are driven as far as required and resistance needed to support the weight of the home and where stable soil conditions (bedrock, clay, etc.) are met.
A piling cap is then positioned on top of the last pile/cylinder driven. Pilings/cylinders are then placed between the piling cap and the bottom of the foundation beam. After the piling caps are properly placed, hydraulic jacks are placed on top and on one side of the piling cap. A cylinder is then placed next to the jack and the foundation is raised under the direction of a technician. After the raising is complete, steel spacers/shins are placed between the cylinders and the beams to support the home/structure.
While piering is a more invasive and longer process, it is generally the preferred method. The benefits of piering include that it tends to provide a more permanent solution than slabjacking. Not only does piering repair the foundation, but it directly addresses the shifting expansive clay and soil beneath and around the house.
Slabjacking
A less invasive alternative to traditional foundation concrete replacement, slabjacking is the process of drilling holes into the slab. The holes are then filled with a special mixture that raises or “jacks” up the slab using the force of the mixture. This process is not only less invasive but it can be completed quicker and is often less expensive. Slabjacking is considerably less disruptive than landscaping and can be done in most weather conditions. In addition, traditional construction frustrations like dust, dirt and noise are less of an issue. The one major obstacle with slabjacking is that it may only be a temporary fix – it may be ineffective if there are structural shifts to the soil surrounding your home.