Understanding Foundation Leveling: Signs, Causes and Solutions
Many homes are now built on slab foundations—large slabs of reinforced concrete that the home is built on. They offer benefits like more energy efficiency, faster construction, and better pest control. However, they can pick up cracks and damage over time, especially with East Texas’s clay soil. At East Texas Slab Masters, we provide slab foundation repairs and fixes to common slab foundation problems. Learn more about the causes of foundation damage and what steps to take for East Texas slab foundation repair.
Why Slab Foundations Fail in East Texas
The biggest cause of slab foundation problems in East Texas is the clay soil. Clay can absorb a lot of water when it rains—and it contracts when that same water starts to evaporate. This causes severe soil movement foundation issues because the soil is growing and shrinking several times throughout the year, moving each time significantly. This can cause massive cracks in concrete slabs when the soil pulls back too far, and there’s insufficient support for the house’s weight. Tree root intrusions and poor drainage can also cause foundation issues.
Common Slab Foundation Problems Homeowners Face
While clay soil movement is one of the leading causes of foundation damage, it can also contribute to other problems. Consider:
- The same clay soil movement can shift pipes and fixtures out of alignment, causing leaks beneath the slab.
- During droughts, tree roots can dig greedily into pipes and up under the foundation, causing cracks in the concrete slab and significant tree root foundation damage.
- When it’s too dry, the soil pulls away from the perimeter of the slab perimeter. Sudden rainfall then surges into the gap and lets too much water under your house.
- Given enough time, foundation cracks can cause structural settlement problems inside and outside the house.
What signs of foundation problems will you see? Homeowners should look for visible cracks, especially diagonal cracks around doors and windows. You might also see new gaps around fixtures like cabinets or in exterior bricks. Over time, the floors might slope, and the plumbing might develop unusual leaks.
Professional Repair Solutions That Restore Stability
East Texas Slab Masters specializes in East Texas slab foundation repair services, including drainage and foundation repair. Repairing slab foundation cracks and foundation leveling are two of our core services for keeping homes safe from growing foundation damage across East Texas. Our services include common foundation fixes and comprehensive repairs:
- Foundation leveling and reshimming to reposition flab foundations that are crooked or tilted
- Installing concrete and steel piers to lift up dropped sections of foundation or to support the middle of a foundation.
- Introducing measures for stabilizing the soil and containing moisture, such as irrigation systems and landscape drains
- Recommending tree root management solutions, whether it’s tree root guard or removing trees too close to the slab perimeter
- Sealing existing cracks and gaps to stop future damage and prevent pest and moisture problems
Whether you have small foundation problems you want to get in front of or a sudden crack that needs immediate repairs, East Texas Slab Masters is here to diagnose the problem, recommend repairs and long-term preventative measures, and give you peace of mind.
When to Call East Texas Slab Masters for an Inspection
The best time to get a foundation inspection is before you see visible damage. If you see dirt pulling away from the edge of your foundation or a neighbor next door is getting foundation work done, schedule an inspection to make sure your foundation is holding strong. Our inspectors will assess the structural integrity of your foundation, look for cracks and water damage, and measure the level variations across your slab. Reach out today to schedule your inspection and to learn more about our solutions.