Houston Foundation Repair

Below are the top three things that cause damage to a house foundation in the Houston area.

1. Lack of moisture in the soil is the most common cause for foundation issues in Houston. Soil shifts when it shrinks due to a lack of moisture from high heat and little rain. This shifting can lead to your foundation slab sinking and sloping. If not addressed at first notice, this can become a much larger issue.

2. Soil expansion is another cause for concern in the Houston area. When the soil becomes too moist around and under your home, the soil will expand. This soil expansion can lead to upheaval of the slab foundation and cause it to become uneven.

3. Leaking plumbing under your slab can be a cause for issues related to your foundation as well. If you have a break in your plumbing under the slab continuous moisture in the soil will lead to slab upheaval. These types of leaks are often discovered while repairing the foundation. It is best to have a hydro static test completed on your plumbing system if you suspect that you may have a leak.

If you are having concrete piers installed under your home’s slab foundation, the task is difficult if you are not an experienced contractor. Here are the basic steps to the repair process.  Check out our post for more in-depth information of the foundation repair process.

First, holes must be dug around your home, and in some cases inside your home as well. Soil must be removed from the areas where piers will be placed. Then the concrete pilings will be inserted deep into the earth with a special type of hydraulic pump. This equipment uses the weight of the home to press the piers into the soil. Once the point of resistance is reached and the piers can no longer be pushed into the soil, the hydraulic equipment is removed and each hole has a manual jack placed into it. Finally, team will raise the home in unison until the slab is back to where it needs to be.