Repairing Your Slab Foundation with Concrete Pressed Piers
Cracks in walls or brick, sticking doors, uneven floors, and visible cracks in a concrete slab can all be signs that your foundation has moved. When portions of a slab foundation settle or lose proper support, the movement can affect the structure throughout the home.

DFW Foundation Repair provides professional slab foundation repair throughout Dallas, Fort Worth, and surrounding DFW communities. We inspect the foundation, identify areas of movement, and recommend a repair plan based on the condition of your home.

If you are concerned about your slab foundation, we can inspect the property, explain what we find, discuss your repair options, and provide a free estimate.

Call 214-730-3077 to schedule your free slab foundation evaluation.

Signs Your Slab Foundation May Need Repair
Slab foundation problems do not always begin with a major crack or sudden change. In many homes, the first signs develop gradually.

Common warning signs include:

• Cracks in interior walls or sheetrock
• Cracks above doors and windows
• Cracks in exterior brick or mortar
• Doors that stick or no longer close properly
• Windows that become difficult to open or close
• Uneven or sloping floors
• Cracks in tile, flooring, or the concrete slab
• Gaps between walls, ceilings, floors, or trim
• Areas of the home that appear to have settled
• An uneven or changing roofline

If you notice one or more of these symptoms, it does not automatically mean that major foundation repair is needed. A professional inspection can help determine whether foundation movement is occurring and whether repairs are necessary.

What Is a Slab Foundation?
A slab foundation is a concrete foundation constructed directly over the ground beneath the home. Unlike a pier and beam foundation, there is no crawl space between the structure and the ground.

The concrete slab supports the structure above it. When the soil beneath one area of the slab settles, expands, contracts, or otherwise stops providing consistent support, portions of the foundation can move differently from the rest of the home.

Even relatively small amounts of movement can eventually become visible through cracks, uneven floors, sticking doors, difficult-to-open windows, or changes in exterior brick and mortar.

Slab Foundation Repair in DFW
Every slab foundation is different. Before recommending a repair, we evaluate the structure to determine where movement has occurred and which areas may require additional support.

Depending on the condition of the foundation, slab foundation repairs may include:

Concrete Pressed Piers
DFW Foundation Repair commonly uses concrete pressed piers, also called concrete pressed piles, to support areas of a slab foundation that have settled.

Precast concrete cylinders are hydraulically pressed into the ground beneath the foundation until substantial resistance is reached. These piers create new support points beneath affected portions of the structure.

Foundation Leveling
Once adequate support has been installed beneath the foundation, hydraulic equipment can be used to carefully raise affected portions of the structure toward their natural position.

The structure is lifted gradually and systematically to reduce unnecessary stress on the home.

Concrete Supports and Steel Shims
After the structure has been raised to the appropriate position, concrete support components and steel shims are installed to maintain support between the foundation and the newly installed pier system.

Foundation Stabilization
The goal of slab foundation repair is not simply to make a crack disappear. The underlying foundation must be properly supported so that affected areas of the structure are stabilized.

How Concrete Pressed Piers Work
Concrete pressed piers use hydraulic pressure and the weight of the structure to install precast concrete cylinders beneath affected portions of the foundation.

A typical concrete pressed pier installation may include:

1. Excavating access points beneath the perimeter of the foundation at predetermined pier locations.

2. Placing loose soil on plywood or protective material to reduce disturbance to the surrounding property.

3. Using hydraulic equipment to press precast concrete cylinders into the ground.

4. Continuing the installation until substantial resistance is reached.

5. Installing a concrete cap above the pier cylinders.

6. Positioning hydraulic lifting equipment between the pier and foundation.

7. Carefully raising affected portions of the structure toward their natural position.

8. Installing concrete support cylinders and steel shims to secure the foundation.

9. Removing the hydraulic equipment once the structure is properly supported.

10. Backfilling the excavated areas.

11. Removing excess soil and repair debris.

12. Cleaning the work area after the repair is complete.

The number and placement of piers depends on the condition of the foundation and where movement has occurred.

Benefits of Concrete Pressed Piers
Concrete pressed piers are commonly used for slab foundation repair throughout Dallas-Fort Worth and Texas.

Benefits can include:

• Relatively compact equipment requirements
• Installation beneath the existing foundation
• Precast concrete components that are ready for immediate use
• Hydraulic installation beneath affected portions of the structure
• Ability to lift and stabilize areas of the foundation
• Steel shimming for precise support
• Limited disruption to surrounding landscaping compared with some larger systems
• A system that can be adjusted when appropriate

DFW Foundation Repair will determine whether concrete pressed piers are appropriate for your property after evaluating the foundation.

What Causes a Slab Foundation to Move?
Foundation movement does not always have a single cause. Conditions beneath and around the home can change over time and affect how consistently the soil supports the concrete slab.

Changes in Soil Moisture
Periods of wet or dry weather can change the condition of the soil beneath and around the foundation. When those changes occur unevenly, different areas of the slab can receive different levels of support.

Poor Drainage
Water repeatedly collecting near one portion of the foundation can affect the surrounding soil and contribute to changing support conditions beneath the home.

Extended Dry Conditions
Long periods of dry weather can also change soil conditions around a foundation and may contribute to settlement.

Poorly Compacted Soil
If portions of the soil beneath a structure were not adequately compacted before construction, settlement can occur as the soil changes over time.

Plumbing or Water Problems
Leaks beneath or near a slab foundation can alter moisture conditions in the surrounding soil and may contribute to foundation movement.

Our Slab Foundation Repair Process
A proper repair begins with understanding where the foundation has moved and determining what type of support the structure needs.

1. Inspect the Foundation
We evaluate the home for visible and structural signs of foundation movement.

2. Identify the Problem Areas
We determine which portions of the slab appear to have settled or lost proper support.

3. Develop a Repair Plan
The repair plan is based on the actual condition of the foundation and the areas of the structure that require additional support.

4. Prepare the Pier Locations
Access points are excavated at the locations identified in the repair plan.

5. Install the Concrete Piers
Precast concrete cylinders are hydraulically pressed into the ground beneath the foundation until substantial resistance is reached.

6. Carefully Level the Structure
When leveling is required, hydraulic equipment is used to gradually raise affected portions of the structure toward their natural position.

7. Stabilize the Foundation
Concrete supports and steel shims are installed to maintain support beneath the repaired portions of the foundation.

8. Complete the Repair and Clean the Work Area
After the foundation has been stabilized, excavated areas are backfilled and debris created during the repair process is removed.

Why Slab Foundation Repair Requires Experience
Foundation repair is not a one-size-fits-all process. A crack in one home may be caused by a completely different pattern of movement than a similar crack in another property.

The number of piers, their placement, how much correction is appropriate, and how the structure responds during lifting all need to be considered as part of the repair process.

DFW Foundation Repair evaluates the condition of the structure before recommending repairs so the repair plan is based on what the home actually needs.

Do Foundation Cracks Mean I Need Slab Repair?
Not necessarily. Cracks can develop for several reasons, and a crack by itself does not always reveal what is happening beneath the home.

Cracks may be more concerning when they appear along with other signs of movement, such as:

• Sticking doors
• Uneven flooring
• Cracked exterior brick or mortar
• Separating trim
• Windows that no longer operate properly
• Multiple cracks developing in the same area of the home

A foundation inspection can help determine whether the cracks are associated with structural movement and whether foundation repairs are appropriate.

Why Homeowners Choose DFW Foundation Repair
Foundation problems can be stressful. You want to understand what is happening with your home, what actually needs to be repaired, and what the work will involve before making a decision.

DFW Foundation Repair offers:

• Free on-site foundation evaluations
• Free foundation repair estimates
• Experienced foundation repair professionals
• Concrete pressed pier foundation repairs
• Repair recommendations based on the condition of your home
• Residential and commercial foundation repair
• Service throughout Dallas-Fort Worth and surrounding communities
• Warranty coverage on qualifying foundation repairs

We explain what we find and provide a repair recommendation so you can make an informed decision about your property.

Free Slab Foundation Inspection
The most important first step is determining whether you actually have a foundation problem and what is causing it.

During your foundation evaluation, we can:

• Examine signs of movement throughout the home
• Evaluate areas of apparent settlement
• Review cracks and other visible symptoms
• Identify areas that may require additional support
• Explain the recommended repair approach
• Answer your questions
• Provide a foundation repair estimate at no charge

Most foundation inspections take approximately 30 minutes to one hour. Homes with more extensive foundation issues may require additional time.

Slab Foundation Repair Throughout Dallas-Fort Worth
DFW Foundation Repair serves homeowners throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area, including Dallas, Fort Worth, Plano, Irving, Denton, Arlington, Garland, Richardson, Carrollton, Frisco, McKinney, Allen, Mesquite, Grand Prairie, Grapevine, Flower Mound, Lewisville, Coppell, The Colony, Keller, Bedford, Hurst, Euless, and surrounding communities.

If you have a concrete slab foundation anywhere in the DFW area and are noticing signs of movement, contact us to schedule an evaluation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Slab Foundation Repair

How do I know if my slab foundation needs repair?
Cracks in walls or brick, uneven floors, sticking doors, difficult-to-operate windows, and other signs of structural movement can indicate a foundation problem. The best way to determine the cause is through an on-site foundation inspection.

What are concrete pressed piers?
Concrete pressed piers are precast concrete cylinders hydraulically pressed into the soil beneath a foundation. They create support points beneath affected areas of the slab and can be used as part of the foundation stabilization and leveling process.

Can a slab foundation be leveled?
In many cases, affected portions of a slab foundation can be carefully raised after adequate support has been installed beneath the structure. Hydraulic equipment is used to make gradual adjustments while monitoring the response of the home.

Will slab foundation repair fix cracks in my walls and brick?
Foundation repair addresses movement and support beneath the structure. Cosmetic damage such as cracks in drywall, paint, brick, mortar, or other finishes may still require separate repairs after the foundation has been stabilized.

How many piers will my home need?
There is no standard number of piers that applies to every property. The number and placement depend on where movement has occurred, the size of the affected area, and the repair plan developed after the inspection.

How much does slab foundation repair cost?
There is no single price that applies to every slab foundation. The cost depends on the condition of the home, the number of piers required, accessibility, and the amount of repair needed.

We provide an on-site evaluation and repair estimate at no charge so you can understand what your particular property needs before deciding how to proceed.

How long does a slab foundation inspection take?
Most inspections take approximately 30 minutes to one hour. More extensive foundation problems may require additional time to evaluate properly.

Do you provide a warranty on slab foundation repairs?
Warranty coverage is available on qualifying foundation repairs. The specific warranty applicable to your repair can be explained as part of your estimate.

Do you repair slab foundations outside Dallas?
Yes. DFW Foundation Repair provides slab foundation repair throughout Dallas, Fort Worth, and surrounding communities across the DFW area.

Schedule Your Free Slab Foundation Evaluation
If you are noticing cracks, uneven floors, sticking doors, or other signs that your slab foundation may be moving, let us take a look.

DFW Foundation Repair will evaluate your slab foundation, explain what we find, and recommend a repair plan based on the condition of your home.

Call 214-730-3077 today to schedule your free foundation evaluation.