What to Expect During a Home Foundation Repair Project

For many homeowners, discovering foundation repair issues is a source of significant stress. Whether you have noticed cracks in your drywall, sticking doors, or uneven floors, the prospect of a foundation repair project can feel overwhelming. However, by understanding the foundation repair steps involved—from the initial assessment to the final cleanup—the process becomes much more manageable.

The experts at Affordable Concrete Solutions Foundation Repair outline a comprehensive guide on what a homeowner can expect when undergoing a professional foundation repair project.

1 The Comprehensive Foundation Evaluation

Every project begins with a deep dive into the specific foundation repair problems affecting the home. Foundation issues are rarely uniform; they can range from settlement caused by soil shrinkage to complex damage resulting from mine subsidence.

During this initial stage, a specialist will conduct a thorough walkthrough of both the interior and exterior of the home. They are looking for specific indicators of distress, such as:

• Foundation Problems: Identifying stair-step cracks in brickwork, gaps around window frames, or a leaning chimney.
• Internal Symptoms: Checking for sloping floors or doors that no longer latch properly.

The goal of this phase is to simplify the problem. By identifying exactly where the foundation has failed, the repair team can develop a targeted plan that addresses the root cause rather than just the symptoms.

2 Preparation of the Job Site

Once a foundation repair plan is established, the actual work begins with site preparation. Homeowners should expect some temporary disruption to their landscaping. If the repair requires the installation of piers (piling), the crew will need to excavate small areas around the perimeter of the home to access the foundation’s “footing.”

If the project involves concrete leveling and lifting for a driveway, sidewalk, or patio attached to the foundation, the preparation is less invasive. In these cases, small holes are drilled into the concrete to allow for the injection of specialized materials that lift the slab back to its original position.

3 The Lifting and Stabilization Process

This is the core of the foundation repair project. Depending on the severity of the damage, the team will use mechanical jacks and piers to stabilize the home.

• Pier Installation: Steel or concrete piers are driven deep into the earth until they reach stable load-bearing strata or bedrock.
• The “Lift”: Once the piers are secure, the home is slowly and carefully lifted back toward its original “level” state. This is a delicate process monitored closely to ensure the structure is not stressed too quickly.

Homeowners are often surprised to find that as the house is lifted, many of the symptoms they noticed previously—such as sticking doors or large gaps—begin to close or function correctly again in real-time.

4 Specialized Repairs: Garage Lintels and More

A foundation project isn’t always just about the ground beneath the house. Sometimes, structural failures manifest in specific areas like the garage. If you have noticed “sagging” or cracks above your garage door, you may be experiencing a failing garage lintel.

Expect the repair team to address these localized structural issues alongside the foundation work. Replacing or reinforcing the Lintel (the steel beam spanning the garage opening) is crucial for the long-term integrity of the masonry above it.

5 Addressing “Foundation Repair Simplified”

One of the most common questions homeowners ask is how long the process will take. Most residential foundation repairs can be completed in just a few days. While the equipment is heavy and the work is significant, modern techniques have simplified the process to minimize the impact on your daily life.

It is important to remember that foundation repair is an investment in the home’s value. Ignoring issues can lead to secondary problems, such as plumbing leaks or permanent structural warping, which are far more expensive to fix later.

6 Backfilling and Cleanup

After the home is stabilized and the foundation is supported, the crew begins the restoration phase. Any excavated dirt is replaced (backfilled) and compacted. If concrete was drilled for lifting or interior piers, the holes are patched with new concrete to match the existing surface as closely as possible.

The team will also conduct a final walkthrough to ensure the site is clean and that the goals of the foundation repair plan have been met.

7 Post-Foundation Repair Expectations

After the project is finished, there is a “settling” period. While the foundation is now stable, the cosmetic damage (like cracks in the drywall) will still need to be repaired by a contractor or the homeowner. Most experts recommend waiting a few weeks after the lift to ensure the home has settled into its new, stable position before patching and painting.

By knowing what to expect, homeowners can move forward with confidence, transforming a “simplified” foundation repair project into a permanent solution for their home’s safety and longevity.