Austin's Engineering-Led Specialists
Slab Foundation RepairBuilt on Data, Not Sales
Austin's expansive clay soil requires a structural engineering approach. We diagnose whether your home is experiencing heave or settlement using precise elevation readings, ensuring you fix the actual cause;not just the surface symptoms.
Request Your Free Inspection
Privacy Guarantee: We never sell your data.
*P.E. Reports coordinated for all structural repairs.
Understanding Your Foundation
Heave vs. Settlement: Why Diagnosis Matters
In Austin's clay soil, misdiagnosis is common. We use structural engineering data to determine the actual mechanism before designing a solution.
Occurs when soil beneath the slab dries out and shrinks, causing portions of the foundation to sink. Most common during extended droughts; a regular occurrence in Central Texas summers.
Common Causes
- Prolonged drought conditions
- Poor drainage directing water away unevenly
- Plumbing leaks washing out supporting soil
- Inadequate soil compaction during construction
Repair Approach
Steel or helical piers driven to stable strata beneath the active soil zone, then used to lift the slab back to level.
Occurs when expansive clay soil absorbs moisture and swells upward, pushing portions of the slab higher than their original position. Common after heavy rains or plumbing leaks saturate the soil.
Common Causes
- Plumbing leaks saturating soil beneath the slab
- Improper drainage flooding the perimeter
- Seasonal rain cycles on high-plasticity clay
- Tree root systems altering moisture patterns
Repair Approach
Moisture management and source elimination first, followed by structural stabilization once soil conditions equalize.
Slab Repair Methods
Steel Push Piers
Hydraulically driven to bedrock or load-bearing strata. The gold standard for permanent slab stabilization; supports the full weight of the structure independent of surface soil conditions.
Warranty
Lifetime transferable
Helical Piers
Screw-in piers torqued to a calculated resistance. Ideal for lighter loads or sites where driving piers isn't feasible. Every installation produces real-time torque data confirming load capacity.
Warranty
Lifetime transferable
Polyjacking / Foam Injection
High-density polyurethane foam injected beneath the slab to fill voids and lift settled areas. Minimally invasive; small injection ports, no excavation, often completed in a single day.
Warranty
5-year limited
Slab Repair FAQ
- How do I know if my slab foundation needs repair or just monitoring?
- If your elevation differential is less than 1 inch across the slab and you see no active movement (new cracks forming, doors getting progressively worse), monitoring may be appropriate. Our free inspection includes elevation measurements so you'll have data; not guesswork; to make that call.
- How much does slab foundation repair cost in Austin?
- Most slab pier installations in the Austin area range from $4,000 to $15,000, depending on pier count and depth. A typical home needing 8–12 piers runs $6,000 to $10,000. Polyjacking for minor issues can start around $2,000. We provide free, itemized quotes.
- Will piers damage my landscaping or plumbing?
- Pier installation requires small excavations (about 3 ft × 3 ft) at each pier location along the perimeter. We restore landscaping after completion. We also camera-inspect accessible plumbing lines before and after repair to ensure no pipe damage from the lift.
- Can I stay in my home during slab repair?
- Yes. There's no need to vacate. The work is done from the exterior perimeter of your home. You'll hear some noise from the hydraulic equipment, but it's not disruptive to daily life.
- What's the difference between your approach and a "pier count" sales pitch?
- Many companies quote a pier count based on a walk-through. We base our scope on engineering data; elevation readings, soil conditions, and a P.E. report. This means you get exactly the piers you need, not the maximum a salesperson can justify.