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Slabjacking to Choose the Best Foundation Repair
Many homeowners face the unsettling reality of foundation issues, uneven floors, wall cracks, or sticking doors. Choosing the right repair method is crucial not only for restoring stability but also for protecting your investment over the long term. Today, we’ll walk you through two of the most common solutions: piering and slabjacking. By the end of this guide, you’ll feel more confident about which option fits your situation.
What Are Piering and Slabjacking?
Before we compare them side by side, let’s clarify what each method involves:
Piering
- Also known as underpinning, piering uses steel piers or piles driven deep into stable soil or bedrock. Your home’s weight is transferred onto these piers, bypassing unstable soil. This process provides long-lasting structural support.
Slabjacking
- Slabjacking, also known as mudjacking or polyurethane foam injection, lifts settled concrete slabs by injecting a material beneath them. It fills gaps and restores the slab to its original position without major excavation.
How Piering Stabilizes Foundations?
- Piering is designed to solve structural foundation failures. Moving the load of your home onto solid ground far below the shifting upper layers of soil provides permanent stability.
This makes piering ideal for properties with severe settlement or when the surrounding soil can’t support the structure.
How Slabjacking Levels Concrete?
- Slabjacking lifts sagging slabs by filling empty spaces underneath. The injected material props the slab back into place. However, it doesn’t fundamentally change the way the foundation bears weight. It still relies on surface soils remaining stable.
Piering for Serious Structural Problems
- If your foundation continues to sink or shows significant cracking, piering is the most reliable solution. While the cost is higher, it’s engineered to halt movement and protect your property from ongoing damage permanently.
Slabjacking for Minor Settlement
- When settlement is moderate and the soil still offers adequate support, slabjacking can be a cost-effective option. It works best for lifting driveways, sidewalks, patios, or interior slabs showing small cracks or unevenness.
Comparing Costs and Value
- Piering usually costs between $1,000 and $3,000 per pier. Most homes require 8 to 10 piers, totaling $10,000 to $30,000. While the upfront cost is higher, you avoid repeat repairs and additional damage down the road.
Slabjacking is a more budget-friendly option, averaging $5–$25 per square foot, which is approximately 33% of the cost to replace a slab. A single project might range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, depending on the area needing lift.
Long-Term Savings
Even though piering requires more investment initially, it often proves cheaper over time by:
- Eliminating recurring foundation repair expenses
- Addressing the root cause of the settlement
- Boosting property value
- Preventing structural deterioration
If you have minor issues or need a quick, affordable fix, slabjacking is worth considering. Just remember, you may face a repeat settlement if soil conditions worsen.
Durability Over Time
- Piering is often referred to as a lifetime repair because it permanently stabilizes the foundation. Once installed, piers require little maintenance and can outlast the house itself.
Traditional mudjacking repairs typically last 2 to 5 years. Polyurethane injections can perform better and last longer, but still don’t solve underlying soil problems. If the soil shifts again, the slab may need future repairs.
What to Expect During Installation?
- Piering installation is more invasive. Crews excavate around the foundation to install piers beneath the footings. Though the process is clean and controlled, it does require heavier equipment and more time.
Slabjacking is less disruptive. Technicians drill small holes about the size of a penny into the concrete. The injection process is fast, and once the holes are patched, the area is usable again within hours.
Which Option is Right for You?
The best way to decide is to have a professional assessment. Our experts at Crack-X will inspect your property and take the right steps to fix your foundation. Crack-X is a civil structure Foundation repairs company serving Maine and New Hampshire. We fix foundation cracks using trusted methods and quality materials. Call us at (877) 727-2259.