Frequently Asked Questions

It depends on how much of the house has moved, how many piers or supports are needed, access around the slab and whether drainage work is part of the fix. Sealing a crack costs far less than lifting a section of the house. We give you a written estimate after we have measured the floor and looked at the cause.

Look for stair-step cracks in the brick, gaps between the brick and window frames, drywall cracks above doors, doors that drag or will not latch, and floors that feel uneven. Cracked floor tile and gaps where baseboards meet the floor are also common. One sign alone is not proof, but several together are worth an inspection.

No. Almost every concrete slab develops thin shrinkage cracks as it cures, and they rarely affect the structure. Cracks that are wide, offset so one side sits higher than the other, or keep growing are different. Those usually point to movement in the soil under the slab.

This clay can swell considerably when wet and shrink just as much when dry. A slab sitting on it moves with every wet spring and dry summer. Over time, uneven moisture around the house causes one area to rise or fall more than another, and that difference is what cracks brick and drywall.

Piers are used when part of the slab has settled and needs to be lifted and supported on firmer ground below the active clay. A floor elevation survey shows whether the drop is large enough and in a pattern that calls for them. If the measurements show only minor seasonal movement, we will tell you that instead.

Not always, but it is a good idea for larger repairs, unusual damage or when you are buying or selling a home. An engineer's report gives an independent view of the problem and the repair plan. We can work with your residential civil or structural engineer or recommend that one gets involved.

Yes. Water that collects next to the slab makes clay swell on one side of the house while other areas stay dry. Downspouts that empty against the wall, beds that slope toward the house and low spots in the yard are common culprits. Fixing drainage is often part of a lasting repair.

Many slab pier jobs take a few days from the first dig to backfill. Drainage work, permits, weather and the size of the repair can add time. You get a realistic timeframe with your estimate, and we keep you updated if anything changes.

Often many of them do, at least partly, as the house comes back toward level. Some cracks will need cosmetic patching and some doors may need a small adjustment afterward. We explain what to expect before the lift so the results do not come as a surprise.

Yes. Older homes on pier and beam foundations often have sagging floors from settled piers, worn shims or damaged beams. We check the crawl space, re-shim or re-level where that is enough, and add or replace supports where it is not.