Slab foundation repair
Most newer Lawton houses sit on a concrete slab. When part of that slab settles in shrinking clay, here's how it gets stabilized.
A slab-on-grade foundation is a concrete slab with thickened edges and beams, poured directly on the soil. In expansive clay, the soil under the edges dries and shrinks in hot weather and swells when it's wet, while the soil under the middle of the house stays more constant. Over time, one corner or one side can drop relative to the rest. That's what shows up as brick cracks, sticking doors and sloping floors.
Signs of slab movement
- Stair-step cracks in the brick near one corner
- Cracks in tile floors or a visible crack in the slab under flooring
- Doors out of square, especially near the low side
- A gap opening between the garage door and the slab, or along the frieze board
- Exterior brick separating from window frames
How is a settled slab repaired?
- Elevation survey. The contractor takes floor readings across the house to map high and low areas.
- Cause check. They look at drainage, trees, and signs of a plumbing leak before deciding where the problem is.
- Pier layout. Piers are placed along the settled section, usually under the perimeter beam, with interior piers only where needed.
- Install and lift. Piers are installed to firmer soil or refusal, then the slab is raised as far as it can safely go and locked off.
- Backfill and follow-up. Holes are backfilled and compacted, and interior or exterior cracks are addressed once the house is stable.
Could it be heave instead of settlement?
Sometimes the middle of the slab rises rather than the edges sinking, often because of a plumbing leak or water collecting under the house. Piering the edges won't fix that and can make it worse. A careful contractor checks for heave before recommending piers, and may suggest a plumbing pressure test if the readings point that way.
Will lifting fix every crack?
Lifting can close some cracks, but not all, and a slab is rarely brought back to perfectly level. Ask what the target is and what happens to doors, tile and drywall during the lift.
The contractor prices the job after measuring the house and working out why it's moving. We don't quote prices, and a figure given over the phone before anyone has taken floor elevations is a guess at best.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
Do they have to break up my floors?
Usually not. Most slab piering is done from outside along the perimeter. Interior piers, when needed, require cutting through the floor in those spots.
Should I get a plumbing test first?
If floor readings show a high spot in the middle of the house or near plumbing, a pressure test can rule out a leak before you pay for piers. Ask your contractor whether they recommend one.
Related services
- Pier-and-beam foundation repair
- Foundation piers (steel, helical, concrete)
- Foundation drainage and moisture control
- Foundation inspections and crack repair
More background: Lawton foundation repair guide.
Doors sticking, new cracks in the brick, or a floor that slopes?
Call and a local foundation contractor will come measure it and tell you what they find.