Austin Foundation Repair | Perma-Pier Foundation Repair of Texas

Perma-Pier has been serving the Austin area for over two decades. As members of the Austin Board of Realtors, Austin Association of Facility & Maintenance Engineers, Community Associations Institute, Structural Engineers Association of Texas, and the Austin Apartment Association, Perma-Pier is heavily – and locally — involved in the Austin area.

Getting to Know Austins Soil

Ask the average foundation repair contractor about Austin soils, and you’re likely to hear all the foundation problems are on the east side of I-35. While I-35 does tend to separate some of the major soil configurations, it is important for a foundation repair company to understand the intricacies and idiosyncrasies of the many smaller soil configurations that encompass much of Austin west of I-35. If a foundation repair company fails to take those smaller deposits into account, they could be prescribing the wrong solution for your foundation.

The greater Austin/Travis County area is supported by the Fredericksburg Group. This conglomerate of multiple limestone formations, like the Glen Rose formation, produces soils which tend to be clay-rich and shallow in their horizons. Taylor marl, found in the easternmost part of the county, produces very expansive clay soils with horizons that tend to be deep and well developed. Austin Chalk, sometimes referred to as the White Rock Escarpment, produces one of the most expansive clay soils in Texas called Houston Black. These soil horizons are typically shallow to medium in depth and are poorly drained due to their high clay content. Understanding these varied soil types is key to forming a successful foundation repair plan.

Austin Slab Foundation Repair

The most common type of foundation for homes in Texas less than 50 years old is a slab foundation. This type of foundation is a flat concrete structure, poured directly onto the ground without a basement or crawl space. Generally, this type of foundation is designed to have a grade beam surrounding the perimeter of the slab.

Most homes will have a grade beam, as this strengthens the structure, however, if a slab does not have a grade beam it’s called a monolithic slab. There can also be beams throughout the slab, depending on the age and size of your home.

There is nothing more stressful than suspecting damage to your home’s foundation. If your home has a slab foundation, it’s vital to have a qualified foundation repair company complete a detailed evaluation. There are a variety of factors that need to be considered before any repairs are done, so a thorough evaluation will determine the best course of action. You should consider the age of your house, visible signs of stress, the size and weight of your home, the type of site drainage, the surrounding and underlying soils, and an elevation survey.

If you are in need of a knowledgeable, experienced foundation repair company, contact Perma-Pier for a no-charge evaluation.

Pier and Beam Foundation Repair in Austin

Many older homes in the Austin area have a pier and beam foundation. This type of foundation consists of concrete piers and wooden beams supporting the home, elevating the structure off the ground. A properly constructed pier and beam foundation will have a crawl space beneath the home. The wooden structure holding up your home is supported by a concrete grade beam, drilled concrete piers, sonotubes, pad and blocks, or some combination of these four systems.

Pier and beam foundation repairs come with their own set of challenges, making it essential to choose an experienced, knowledgeable foundation repair company that understands the differences between pier and beam foundation repair and slab foundation repair. At Perma-Pier, our team of specialized evaluators and construction professionals has serviced over 30,000 commercial and residential properties, including thousands of pier and beam foundation repairs.

Back by science and industry trust, we are able to provide an adequate evaluation and determine the absolute best method of repair for your home. We will work hard to secure your foundation's integrity and longevity—contact us today to schedule your free evaluation.

Austin Mudjacking Services

If you’re looking for a cost-effective, less invasive slab foundation repair, mudjacking might be the right method for you. At Perma-Pier, we use mudjacking to repair slab foundations by pumping a special grout of Portland Cement and Sandy Loam through the concrete in order to lift a sunken slab. This works by pushing the slab up, closing any cracks and gaps during the process. Mudjacking is an excellent way to adequately fill voids and provide support for the structure.

At every job site, the professionals at Perma-Pier measure and level throughout the slab and during the process to ensure when finished it is properly in place. We then end by filling each hole and extensively cleaning the workplace. We take pride in making sure the longevity of your foundation is intact.

AUSTIN FOUNDATION REPAIR SERVICES

Our Austin-based foundation repair services include:

Schedule your evaluation today, and set a time to visit with one of our foundation repair specialists.

Regardless of the soil type underneath your home or commercial property, recognizing the signs of a foundation failure as soon as possible can save you thousands. Save yourself time and money by having your repairs done right the first time.