A Homeowner’s Guide to Understanding Foundation Leveling

Is your home level? This is not a question most homeowners assume they need to ask. However, if you have noticed signs that your home’s foundation may be shifting, it’s important to take action and resecure your home’s level as quickly as possible. This process is known as foundation leveling. It is a common necessity for homes in East Texas, where unstable soil and occasional floods can undermine the stability of your foundation, no matter how well-built your home may be.

It’s also natural to have questions before investing in major home repairs. This is your guide to foundation leveling and what you need to know to make the right decision for your home.

Foundation Leveling vs. Repair

Let’s start by clarifying what foundation leveling really is, how it works, and why it might be necessary. You may also be wondering about the difference between foundation leveling vs foundation repair.

What Is Foundation Leveling? 

Foundation leveling is the process of boosting your foundation back to its optimal position, ensuring the entire slab is even and stays that way. This is accomplished through methods like slab jacking and supportive piers that run deep into the soil while pushing up on the foundation to keep it in place.

Foundation leveling lifts your foundation back where it belongs and prevents further shifting to protect your home.

How is Foundation Leveling Different From Repair?

Foundation leveling is a type of foundation repair. It is among the most important, especially if your foundation has shifted and/or is in danger of shifting further. 

Other types of foundation repair include crack sealing, basement repairs, and crawl space reconstruction. These may or may not be paired with a foundation leveling service.

Signs of Foundation Settlement Issues

How do you know if your home needs foundation leveling? You will likely notice the clear signs that your foundation is settling unevenly. A shifting foundation will cause distinct types of damage to the home.

These signs include

• Drywall cracks around doorways and windows
• Stairstep cracks over brick
• Leaning chimneys
• Uneven doorways
• Doors and windows that are hard to open/close
• Cracks in basement walls
• Visible foundation slab cracks
• Dips in the floor
• Wall separation

What Causes Foundation Settlement Issues

A foundation will settle when the soil underneath the slab or crawl space shifts due to changes in moisture or natural disasters.

• Expansive soil: that swells when moist and contracts when dry, which may swell and contract unevenly.
• Excessive rain: storms or flooding causing soil erosion
• Poor drainage: causing soil around the foundation to hold water and soften

Methods to Address Foundation Settlement Issues

The good news is that East Texas Slab Masters can provide foundation leveling services using a variety of solutions to stop, reverse, and stabilize your foundation settlement issues.

• Slab Jacking – Jacking up your slab to its optimal position and providing new concrete support below.
• Hydraulic Jacking – A powerful method to jack piers into the space below your foundation that works well in tight spaces
• Support Piers – Push piers, helical piers, or slab piers are used to provide deeply rooted support for your foundation
• Pier and Beam – For homes with a crawl space, new supportive piers attached to beams support the ground floor.

When to Get Your Home Foundation Leveled

If you have noticed signs that your foundation has shifted or continues to shift, there’s no time to waste. Foundation settlement can cause extensive structural damage to your home and typically gets worse over time. The smart route is to call for a home inspection and foundation leveling estimate as soon as you realize that your foundation is the likely cause of those mysterious cracks and sticking doors.

House leveling is not only worth the investment; it can become absolutely necessary for the safety and longevity of your home.

Contact the Foundation Experts

Has your home’s foundation already begun to shift? East Texas Slab Masters is ready to come to the rescue with skilled and high-powered foundation leveling solutions. Contact us today to schedule your initial inspection and customized estimate based on the design and foundation leveling needs of your home.