Research Decorative Concrete
Interior Floors: Concrete Floors; Staining Concrete; Concrete Overlays; Basement Floors; Concrete Polishing; Concrete Dyes; Stenciling Interior Floors; Radiant Floor Heating; Garage Floor Coatings
Interior Concrete: Concrete Countertops; Concrete Fireplace Surrounds; Concrete Furniture; Sinks and Vessels
Outdoor Concrete: Concrete Patios; Stamped Concrete; Stained Concrete; Concrete Driveways; Concrete Pool Decks; Countertops & Kitchens; Outdoor Living; Concrete Walkways; Concrete Resurfacing; Colored Concrete; Pavers
Repair & Maintenance: Foundation Repair; Concrete Crack Repair; Foundation Waterproofing; Basement Wall Repair; Crack Repair in Floors & Slabs
Building with Concrete: Concrete Homes; Concrete Basements; Decorative Concrete; Pervious Concrete; Green Building
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Warning Signs of Foundation/Slab Failure

Methods of Repairing Sunken Concrete

Correct Method: (Slabjacking or Piering?)

Foundation Supports ("Piling" or "Piering")

Advantages of Piers

Push Piers

Helical Piers

Typical Steps in a Piering Installation

Slabjacking (also "mudjacking")

Advantages of Slabjacking

How Slabjacking is Done

Drill-Holes

Pumping Grout

Hole Patching

Problems/Solutions on Slabjacking Jobs

Bulging floors, cracked walls, and doors that won't close are all signs of foundation distress. Sixty percent of all homes built on expansive soils suffer from foundation distress. The problem occurs when only part of the foundation heaves or settles, causing cracks and other damage.

This differential movement is largely caused by differences in soil moisture. Loss or gain of soil moisture can cause serious shrinkage or swelling.

If the frame of a house does not begin to distort until after three or more years of satisfactory performance, it is doubtful that the distortion is caused by full-depth foundation settlement, which is always evidenced by matching cracks. Cracks occur at each side of a portion of the foundation wall that is undergoing downward movement caused by soil bearing failure.

Settlement cracks are nearly always vertical, and they should not be confused with cracks that occur when a wall is subjected to lateral movement from soil pressure.

Exterior Warning Signs