Get matched with top foundation repair specialists in Saint Gabriel, LA

A slab-on-grade or slab foundation is a great option in many areas—usually in warm or moderate climates—and has been a successful foundation style for many decades. Slab foundations don’t require excavation or concrete block wall construction, so they’re the least expensive foundation type. They’re also the fastest to construct and don’t have many issues with moisture or water intrusion. However, they don’t give you extra storage space or potential living space like a crawl space or basement would, and they’re not ideal in colder areas where utility lines can freeze and frost heave can cause major damage.

Yes, you can fill cracks in concrete if you’re a somewhat handy homeowner. It’s important to know which concrete patching method to use, as small cracks require different approaches than large ones. It might seem challenging to determine which product to use and the tools necessary for the project, but with a bit of background, homeowners can restore their cracked concrete easily.

Most single-story homes don't have foundations strong enough to support a second story, but they can be reinforced for an addition. A structural engineer can assess your foundation and what needs to be done to get it ready. They'll look at any cracks or unevenness in your current foundation and consider any special framing or beams your home needs, especially if it’s in a high-wind or hurricane area.

“To support a second story, many structural engineers will require that you install additional concrete piers in the crawlspace,” says Tschudi. “This involves hand excavating, pouring a large concrete footing—usually with specially coated rebar—and then building concrete piers right up to the girders.”

Some foundation repairs are permanent, like underpinning and exterior drainage systems like the French drain. These fixes address the underlying problems—insufficient support from the soil and hydrostatic pressure on your foundation walls, respectively—so they can last for many decades, making them “lifetime fixes.” There are other solutions to address these issues that will last for up to a decade, making them temporary. These include slabjacking to raise concrete slabs back into place and dampproofing to reduce the water in the soil that interacts with the concrete foundation.