If you’re like most homeowners, you’re probably a bit confused about the difference between concrete leveling with polyurethane foam and foundation repair using pier systems. Or maybe you’ve never heard of either- we won’t judge. There is a bit of overlap, but knowing the difference between what JACKCRETE can do and what a foundation repair company can do could end up saving you quite a bit of time and money during your search for a suitable contractor.

What is foundation repair?

Foundation repair is the installation of various pier systems to control the effect of unstable soil on the structural integrity of a home. When a home is unstable and has warning signs such as wall/brick cracking, bowing walls, or hard to close doors/windows, the foundation may be settling into the unstable soil under the house. To fix this, foundation repair companies install long piers that anchor to the stable bedrock below the unstable soil, giving a strong foundation to the home to put it back in it’s original position and to prevent any further damage.

Of course, concrete lifting is another type of foundation repair if the concrete being lifted is an interior home slab. While foundation repair companies are needed for most types of foundations, homes built on a poured slab of concrete can benefit from a much more affordable fix.

Foundation Repair or Concrete Lifting

Sinking Concrete Foundation

In almost every case, this is going to require poly foam lifting. Depending on the size of the slab and how much it has settled, the project should be quick and non-intrusive. Most foundation lifting projects are completed in less than a day, and at a significantly lower price than foundation repair with helical piers.

Cracks Appearing in Bricks and Drywall

We’re sorry to hear that. Depending on your house, you may need foam lifting or foundation repair through pier supports. If you have a poured concrete slab foundation, Jackcrete will be able to lift it back up to level and stabilize the soil to minimize the chance of further damage. If you have a crawlspace or a basement, the fix is going to require piers from a foundation repair company. Our foam injection generally takes less than 5 hours to be completed in full, but foundation repair will be a few day process and is generally a bit more expensive.

Sloping Floor Without Settlement

Though somewhat rare, it may also be possible that your poured slab isn’t sinking but was just poured incorrectly. This is often the case where the concrete looks level but wood flooring still sways, or where there is a bit of a slope leaning down from the middle of the room. For this issue, neither foam lifting nor concrete repair is needed. A self-leveling concrete compound should be used to fix the sloping.

Sinking Garage Foundation

Garages are either made with a cinder block footer with a concrete slab in the middle, or a concrete slab supporting the whole structure. In either case, polyurethane concrete lifting will be able to re-level the garage. For monolithic garage structures (that is, garages with walls built directly on top of the concrete slab) it is important to address settlement quickly to avoid damage to the walls of the garage.

Leaning or Separated Chimney

This issue will also require the work of a trained foundation repair company, but assuming there aren’t other issues with your foundation, this will be a much less involved fix. The price of fixing a leaning chimney will be significantly less than foundation repair for a compromised home.

Final Word on Repairing A Home Foundation

If you have a basement or crawlspace, you will have to hire a foundation repair company and have a helical pier support system installed. The process will generally take 2 to 3 days to complete with a price tag of $5,000 to $12,000 for most projects. If you have a poured concrete foundation, you can have your foundation lifted and stabilized with polyurethane foam jacking. This process can be completed in a few hours and costs $2,500 - $6,000 for most projects. The price of a concrete lifting project is based on the presumed amount of foam that will be used, so depending on the scope of a project the price may be more or less than this average.

Generally speaking, you need to repair a compromised foundation. Do not wait to have it repaired, regardless of whether you need a helical pier system or concrete lifting. The longer you wait, the more severe the fix becomes, and the more expensive of a project you will have. Recognizing the warning signs early and taking action promptly can save you quite a bit of stress and money.

Request a Free Foundation Lifting Inspection

Based on this info, does it sound like you need concrete lifting for your settled foundation? Leave your information below and our team will reach out promptly to learn a bit more about your issue and to schedule an inspection.