Pier Pressure Foundation Repair offers professional slab repair in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, area. We provide foundation leveling, crack repair, pier system installation, and other repair solutions. Our team has years of experience and is a trusted name in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Here, we’ll discuss slab foundations, issues that can arise with them, and ways we can help.
What Is a Slab Foundation?
A slab foundation consists of a flat poured concrete slab placed on prepared soil. With slab foundations, there are no basements or crawl spaces. Many slab foundations are between four and six inches thick and have steel rebar or wire mesh reinforcement. Slab foundations are commonly found in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Signs You Need Slab Foundation Repair in DFW
Here, we’ll discuss some signs your DFW-area home needs slab foundation repair. Please note that this list is not conclusive.
- Windows or doors have gaps: Windows or doors that have gaps around them may be a sign of an unstable foundation.
- Countertop pulls away from wall: A moving foundation can cause countertops to warp and pull away from walls.
- Cabinet misalignment: When walls aren’t level, cabinets become misaligned. This can result in cabinets being hard to close or keep closed.
- Floors slope or sag: A sloping floor is an indication that a home is unlevel. A sagging floor may be due to post, joist, or girder damage.
- Bricks on the exterior of a home crack: A vertical crack on an exterior brick can indicate uneven foundation settling, which may be caused by one side being better supported.
- Interior wall cracks: While hairline cracks along wall corners and drywall ceilings are a normal part of settling, irregular or large wall gaps or cracks (such as jagged cracks) may indicate a serious issue.
- Floor has a crack: Although hairline cracks in a floor are likely due to normal settling, cracks with larger gaps indicate a shifting foundation.
What Causes Slab Foundation Damage in North Texas?
There are several potential causes of slab foundation damage. We’ll explore some causes in this section, but please note that other causes can exist beyond these.
Tree and large shrub roots: Tree and large shrub roots can damage foundations in multiple ways. A professional may be able to apply a root barrier to help protect your foundation.
Slab leaks: When a slab leak occurs, water can pour into the soil, causing it to shift.
Drainage issues: If water does not drain properly away from a building, it can damage the foundation, washing out soil or causing it to expand and contract.
Slab Foundation Leveling Solutions
We offer several types of slab foundation leveling solutions. Here, we’ll discuss three pier systems we can use to ensure your home is level.
- Concrete: Concrete piers are cost-effective and work well when the soil is fairly stable and foundation issues aren’t too bad.
- Steel: Steel piers work well when a house has experienced significant settling or is located in an area with soil that’s prone to expanding and contracting.
- Hybrid: Hybrid pier system utilizes both concrete and steel. They involve driving a steel pier into the ground until it can reach a load-bearing stratum. After the steel section has been placed, a concrete cap is added to the top. Hybrid pier systems work particularly well in locations with stable and unstable soil layers.
Our experts can help you determine which pier system is right for your foundation.
Foundation Cracks and Structural Damage
Foundation cracks come in many different forms and may indicate structural damage. Here, we’ll explore several types of foundation cracks and what they can mean for your home. While some foundation cracks are more of a cause for concern than others, if you are unsure, please reach out to a professional.
Vertical cracks: Vertical cracks are often the most common foundation cracks. These cracks often occur during the natural concrete curing process or settling. They often run up and down, as their name implies, and tend not to be much of an issue. However, if they widen or become more extensive, they need to be inspected.
Horizontal cracks: Horizontal cracks are a greater cause for concern than vertical ones. These often are caused by excessive lateral pressure on a foundation. They must be addressed by a professional promptly as they weaken a foundation’s structural integrity. Water accumulating behind the crack exerts significant pressure on the foundation, which could lead to a catastrophic failure.
Diagonal cracks: Diagonal cracks can result from differential settlement, in which one side of a building shifts or sinks more than the other. This crack can be a sign of major issues with a foundation. It is important that a professional addresses diagonal cracks, as severe structural damage can occur.
Flaking or crumbling: A concrete foundation that is flaking or crumbling may indicate spalling. It will need to be addressed by a professional.
Stair-step cracks: Stair-step cracks can occur in block or brick foundations and look like a flight of stairs. These cracks are often caused by mortar joint issues or differential settling. A professional must inspect these.
Bulging cracks: Bulging cracks are commonly associated with leaning or bowed foundation walls. They may signal water intrusion or excess pressure from soil, so you’ll want to have them inspected by a professional.
Drainage Problems and Slab Movement
Drainage problems can lead to slab movement. When water accumulates, it can cause soil to shift, causing the house to settle. In the Dallas-Fort Worth area, the highly expansive clay soil expands when it gets wet and contracts as it dries, potentially causing foundation problems.
Our Slab Foundation Repair Process
Our slab foundation repair process follows five steps.
Step 1. For the first step, we perform a thorough inspection and measurement of the foundation.
Step 2. Next, an independent engineer examines the inspection report and verifies the placement of leveling piers. If desired, you can provide your own engineer.
Step 3. When the engineer has approved the plan, we begin the pier installation process. We’ll dig 2’ x 2’ holes in the chosen areas for the piers.
Step 4. When the piers have been driven into place, our lifting team lifts the foundation from the holes we’ve dug at the same time.
Step 5. Finally, we’ll clean up our work site.
Why Choose Pier Pressure Foundation Repair?
There are many reasons to choose Pier Pressure Foundation Repair for your foundation needs. The following are just a few examples.
- Free estimates
- Family-owned and operated local company
- Over 40 years of experience
- Lifetime transferable warranty on every foundation repair job we do
Schedule a Free Foundation Inspection in Dallas-Fort Worth
If you suspect you have foundation issues in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Pier Pressure Foundation Repair can resolve them. Don’t wait for problems to escalate. Our free foundation inspection can provide you with peace of mind.
Contact us to receive a free estimate on foundation repair in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
FAQs:
Poor soil preparation during construction causes most slab foundation problems in DFW.
Yes, slab foundation cracks can be repaired.
The cost of slab foundation repair can vary. Our specialists will be able to give you a more accurate estimate after we have done an evaluation to understand the extent of the damage and what needs to be done.
Slab foundation repairs can take around 1 to 5 days to complete. We’re generally able to repair most homes within two days.
Oftentimes, slab foundation repairs come with a warranty. Please note that it is important that you understand what your warranty entails.
We offer a lifetime warranty with unlimited transfer to new owners of the home. Please call us when you purchase the home, and we will transfer the warranty to you. Our warranty follows the home, not the homeowner. The warranty must be transferred after the sale of the home.