Have you noticed small cracks in your walls, doors that don’t shut properly, or floors that seem uneven? These could be warning signs of foundation problems in your home. Foundation issues might seem minor at first, but if left unchecked, they can lead to serious structural damage.
The foundation is the backbone of your house, and keeping it stable is essential to maintaining the safety and value of your property. If you’re unsure where to start or how to fix it, don’t worry—you’re in the right place.
In this guide, we’ll discuss the best foundation repair methods to help you determine which is best for your home.
What Causes Foundation Issues?
Understanding the root cause of foundation problems is essential before diving into repair options. Here are the top reasons:
- Insufficient Drainage: Poor drainage or a lack of gutters causes water to pool around your home, weakening the soil and leading to foundation cracks.
- Poor Construction: If your home’s foundation wasn’t built with proper soil compaction, shifting soil can cause foundation issues over time.
- Plumbing Issues: Leaky plumbing beneath your foundation can cause excess moisture, which leads to soil expansion and contraction, weakening the structure.
- Poor Soil Stabilization: Some soils, like clay, expand when wet and shrink when dry, causing stress on your foundation and leading to long-term damage.
If you’re looking for ways to protect your home from these issues, check out our detailed guide on Tips for Homeowners to Prevent Foundation Damage.
Signs of Foundation Problems
How can you tell if your house has foundation issues? Look out for these warning signs:
- Cracks in the walls, ceilings, or floors
- Uneven floors or floors that slope
- Doors and windows that don’t close properly
- Foundation sinking or pulling away from the house
Common Foundation Repair Methods
There are several ways to repair a foundation but not all of them will provide the best solutions for your home. Below, we’ll explore foundation repair techniques and which ones we know are most effective.
1. Slab Jacking
This foundation repair technique is commonly used for homes with uneven concrete slabs. Slab jacking involves drilling small holes in the foundation and injecting a material, such as polyurethane foam, underneath to lift and level the slab. It’s a cost-effective and minimally disruptive method for minor foundation repairs. However, while it’s a cheaper fix, it’s often only a temporary solution. Since the foam sits between the slab and the soil, if the soil settles again—as it did initially—the foam and concrete will settle with it, leaving you back where you started with an uneven slab.
2. Mudjacking
If your concrete foundation is sinking or uneven, mudjacking is another commonly used option. This foundation repair technique involves drilling holes into the concrete slab and pumping a mixture of mud and cement underneath to raise the slab. Alternatively, polyurethane foam can be used, which expands to lift the slab, the same process mentioned in slab jacking. However, mudjacking with concrete adds more weight to the existing foundation on top of already compromised soil, which may be unable to support the additional load.
3. Helical Piers
At Virginia Foundation Solutions, we recommend helical piers as one of the most permanent and reliable solutions for properties experiencing foundation issues due to shifting or unstable soils. Helical piers are essentially large screws that are driven deep into the ground, bypassing weak or unstable soil layers until they reach more stable ground. Once securely anchored, they provide long-term support for your foundation, preventing further sinking or shifting. This method is particularly effective for homes in areas with constantly changing soil conditions, like those in Virginia and North Carolina.
4. Resistance Piering
At Virginia Foundation Solutions, we specialize in piering, one of the most reliable and permanent foundation repair methods, especially for homes experiencing significant settling issues. This involves driving steel or concrete piers deep into the ground to stabilize and support the foundation.
- Push Piers, are driven into load-bearing soil or bedrock, providing long-lasting stability for homes with severe settling problems and are installed on the footing of the foundation.
- Slab Piers are also driven into load-bearing soil or bedrock, providing long-lasting stability for homes with severe settling problems, but are installed on interior concrete slabs in non-footing areas.
Our customers have shared positive feedback about their experience with piering installations, often praising the professionalism of our team and the noticeable improvements in the stability of their homes. Piering systems provide a minimally disruptive, permanent solution that ensures peace of mind for years to come.
So, What is the Best Method for Foundation Repair?
While slab jacking or mud jacking and other methods have been used in the past for foundation repairs, we now know that they can often be a band-aid fix providing temporary results or even lead to further damage in the long run. With advances in technology and a better understanding of soil conditions, it’s clear that helical piers, push piers, and slab piers are the most permanent and reliable solutions for stabilizing foundations. These methods provide long-term support, unlike temporary fixes that may fail if the soil continues to shift or settle.
Although slab jacking may seem more affordable and less intrusive for minor issues, it’s not always the best choice for lasting results. To avoid future complications, it’s essential to consult with professional foundation repair contractors who can evaluate your home and recommend the most effective, permanent solution based on your specific needs and soil conditions.
Is Your Home Safe?
Are you unsure if your home’s foundation is in good shape? What is the best foundation repair method for you?
It’s a question every homeowner should ask themselves. With so many repair options available, choosing the right one for your home’s needs is crucial. Whether you’re dealing with minor cracks or major foundation settling, taking action now can save you from costly repairs down the road.
Our professional foundation maintenance solutions give you peace of mind about your home’s integrity. Let us protect your investment with structural foundation care you can trust. Contact us now for a free foundation inspection.
