SLAB FOUNDATION REPAIR

Slab Foundations are the most popular foundations you see in New Braunfels, TX and surrounding areas. What is a slab foundation? A slab foundation is a concrete foundation, meaning the foundation is constructed of concrete with poured concrete beams. A slab foundation sits directly on the soil (slab on grade) meaning that there is no crawl space. The plumbing for a slab foundation is placed underground beneath the slab. The most common reason that a slab foundation will shift is because of the expansive soil that it sits on here in the Central Texas region as explained above. Plumbing leaks or foundation leaks are another cause that can lead to severe damage of a slab foundation especially when unnoticed and untreated for a long period of time. In this region, other reasons for slab foundation movement could be caused by tree roots impacting or pressing against the slab foundation, loadbearing walls not ailing with the concrete beams of the slab foundation, and cracks of the slab’s concrete beams. These can all result in weakening of the slab foundation. Once your concrete slab foundation is compromised, this means the support for the rest of your structure is now compromised because the slab foundation is what supports the entire building or home. Our team at FiveStar Foundation & Construction has seen it all when dealing with a compromised slab foundation. If the slab foundation is not properly stabilized, it can really jeopardize the integrity of the structure.

If you are noticing cracks on your brick resembling stairs, your expansion joints on your exterior brick are starting to separate, your doors are not shutting and locking properly, it sounds like it's time to call your trusted experts at FiveStar Foundation & Construction to find the most reliable solution to stabilize your slab foundation.  Prior to determining the right foundation repair plan, FiveStar Foundation & Construction will thoroughly evaluate the slab foundation and properly measure and record the elevations. Upon examining the interior and exterior of the structure and recording the elevations, we will help you determine the possible cause of the slab foundation movement. Based on this information we can provide an honest opinion on how to best treat your slab foundation issues. 

The foundation repair of a slab foundation consists of digging beneath the structure and installing pressed piling piers. There are two different pier systems that can be used for this method which are pressed concrete piers and pressed steel piers.  Let us explain the two pier systems to give you a better understanding.

Conducting slab foundation repair by installing pressed concrete piers is often the best way to stabilize, support, and level a slab foundation. These piers are constructed using concrete cylinders, typically 6" in diameter with a ¾" hole through the middle. The hole allows for steel to be placed inside which is used to interlock each concrete cylinder that is installed. Holes will first be excavated where each pier system needs to be installed. The cylinders are then hydraulically driven into the ground until they reach a point of resistance. Once they have reached the depth needed, a top cap is installed on top of the last installed concrete cylinder. The structure will then be lifted, leveled, and shimmed into place. Any concrete breakouts that were required will be resurfaced and all excavated dirt will be replaced.

Pressed steel piers are also commonly used to stabilize and level a slab foundation. Like the concrete pier, these steel cylinders- 2¾" in diameter- are hydraulically driven into the ground until proper resistance is achieved. They are designed as sleeve locking sets, meaning they securely lock into place with one another. Once necessary depth is reached, a steel cap will be placed on top of the pier system. After lifting and leveling, they will be shimmed in place.

No matter the signs you may be experiencing within your concrete slab foundation, how big your structure may be, whether residential or commercial, call your local concrete slab experts at FiveStar Foundation & Construction to get an honest and reliable diagnoses.

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