A slab foundation is a flat concrete structure. Most homes in Texas less than 50 years old are built on this type of foundation. Slab foundations are generally poured directly onto the ground and do not have basements or crawl spaces.
Concrete slab foundations are designed to have a grade beam around the perimeter of the slab. Depending on the age and size of the home, there will also be grade beams throughout the interior of the slab in a checkerboard type layout. A slab with a grade beam is much stronger and more durable than a slab without a grade beam. A slab foundation without a grade beam is a monolithic slab.
There are a number of ways to repair a concrete slab foundation. Before recommending any plan of repair, a foundation repair company needs to consider many variables, including: soil types, site drainage, age of home, size and weight of home, an elevation survey, and signs of stress.
The most common systems used to repair slab foundations are concrete piers, steel piers, drilled piers, and mud-jacking.
Note: Signs of stress may present themselves as brick cracks, drywall cracks, window separation, door separation, cracks in tile, uneven flooring, sticking doors and windows, or bowing drywall.
Contact Perma-Pier Foundation Repair of Texas for a slab foundation no-charge evaluation.
