A Homeowner's Guide to Foundation Repair Options

Understanding the Different Types of Foundation Repair Methods

A strong, stable foundation is critical to the health and safety of any home. But over time, various factors—like soil movement, water intrusion, and natural settling—can cause foundation issues. If you’ve noticed cracks in your walls, uneven floors, or doors that won’t close properly, your foundation might be telling you something.

Thankfully, there are several proven methods for repairing and reinforcing a foundation. Here’s a breakdown of the most common foundation repair techniques, how they work, and when they’re used:

1. Push Piers 

Best for: Settling foundations in stable soil deep below the surface.

Push Piers are the best foundation repair option when soil conditions are unknown, providing a permanent solution for settlement issues. Push Piers connect the house to stable, load bearing soil or bedrock. A steel bracket connects each pier to the foundation to prevent foundation settlement and is used with hydraulic jacks to lift the structure back to the original position.

 Advantages of Foundation Supportworks Push Piers:

• Quick installation
  
  
• Minimally invasive
  
  
• Best opportunity to lift home to original position

Foundation Supportworks Push Piers feature an external sleeve that strengthens the pier at the critical tension point below the bracket. These piers are backed by a 25-year, nationally-backed manufacturer's warranty, as well as a lifetime warranty from Frontier.

2. Helical Piers

Best for: Light structures or areas where soil conditions prevent the use of push piers.

Helical piers look like giant screws and are twisted into the ground until they reach stable soil. They're ideal for homes, porches, and other structures built on weaker or loose soil. Because they're installed using torque measurements, they offer precise load-bearing capacity.

 Advantages of Foundation Supportworks Helical Piers:

• Effective in a wide range of soils
  
  
• Can be installed in limited access areas
  
  
• Immediate load-bearing capability
  
  
• Year-round installation

Foundation Supportworks Helical Piers are covered by a 25-year, nationally-backed manufacturer's warranty, as well as a lifetime warranty from Frontier.

3. Slab Pier Systems

Best for: Homes with slab-on-grade foundations experiencing settlement.

These piers are similar to push piers but are specifically designed to be installed through a concrete slab. They provide deep support and help lift and level a sunken interior slab floor (PolyLevel expanding foam is often used to raise settled concrete as well. Injecting this high-density foam beneath the slab will fill voids and consolidate weak soil while also raising settled slabs back to their original position. Learn more about concrete leveling and what makes PolyLevel an effective concrete repair solution here).

 Advantages of Foundation Supportworks Slab Piers:

• Targets interior foundation issues
  
  
• Minimally disruptive to flooring
  
  
• Stabilizes and can lift the slab
  
  
• Completely hidden after installation holes are filled

Foundation Supportworks Slab Piers are covered by a 25-year, nationally-backed manufacturer's warranty, as well as a lifetime warranty from Frontier.

4. Crawl Space Pier and Beam Repair

Best for: Homes built on crawl spaces or pier-and-beam foundations.

This method involves shimming, replacing, or adding new piers and beams to support the structure. If moisture or wood rot is an issue, damaged materials are replaced, and supports may be reinforced with concrete or steel.

 Advantages of Foundation Supportworks SmartJacks:

• Tailored to older homes and crawl spaces
  
  
• Allows for floor leveling and wood repair
  
  
• Can be combined with crawl space encapsulation
  
  
• The ONLY crawl space support jack that addresses problem soils

Foundation Supportworks SmartJacks are covered by a 25-year, nationally-backed manufacturer's warranty, as well as a 5-year warranty from Frontier.

5. Wall Anchors

Best for: Bowing or leaning basement walls due to pressure from expansive soils.

Wall anchors are metal plates installed in the yard outside the home and connected to steel rods that anchor to your basement wall. Tightening these rods gradually pulls the wall back into position and keeps it stable over time.

 Advantages of Foundation Supportworks Geo-Lock Wall Anchors:

• Stops further wall movement
  
  
• Can improve wall appearance
  
  
• Affordable and long-lasting
  
  
• Year-round installation
• Potential to strengthen walls over time

Foundation Supportworks Geo-Lock Wall Anchors are covered by a 25-year, nationally-backed manufacturer's warranty, as well as a lifetime warranty from Frontier.

6. Carbon Fiber Reinforcement

Best for: Minor to moderate wall cracks and bowing.

Carbon fiber strips are bonded to basement walls to add strength and prevent further movement. They’re incredibly strong, don’t protrude from the wall, and require no outside excavation.

 Advantages of Foundation Supportworks CarbonArmor:

• Low-profile and non-intrusive
  
  
• Permanent solution for small cracks
  
  
• Fast installation
  

Our solution: Foundation Supportworks CarbonArmor is covered by a 25-year, nationally-backed manufacturer's warranty.

Choosing the Right Repair Method

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to foundation repair. The right method depends on your home’s structure, the type of foundation, the severity of the damage, and the soil conditions around your property. That’s why it’s so important to work with a professional foundation expert who can perform a thorough inspection and recommend the most effective, long-term fix.

Concerned About Your Foundation?

If you’ve seen signs of trouble in your basement, crawl space, or concrete slabs, don’t wait. Foundation problems only get worse over time. Contact us today to schedule a free inspection and let our team help you find the best solution to protect your home.