Home / Slab Foundation Repair in Hattiesburg, MS
Slab Foundation Repair in Hattiesburg, MS
A slab-on-grade foundation has no crawl space to inspect, so signs show up in the walls, floors and doors. Here is how settled and cracked slabs are evaluated and repaired.
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How Slab Foundations Work
A slab-on-grade foundation is a concrete pad poured on prepared ground, usually with thickened edges or grade beams that carry the weight of the walls. Because the slab sits directly on the soil, anything that changes the soil under it can change the slab: heavy rain, drought, leaking pipes, tree roots, or fill that was not compacted properly.
Slab homes are common in newer construction around Hattiesburg and across the Pine Belt. Because you cannot see under the slab, a good evaluation relies on measurement and on reading the rest of the house.
Signs of a Slab Problem
- Cracks in the slab itself, especially ones that are wide, offset (one side higher than the other) or growing
- Diagonal cracks above doors and windows, or stair-step cracks in brick
- Doors that stick or will not latch, and windows that become hard to open
- Floors that slope, or tile that cracks or lifts along lines
- Gaps between the slab and brick veneer, or between walls and the ceiling
- Plumbing issues such as unexplained water use or damp spots in the floor
A floor-elevation survey, sometimes called a level survey, is the most objective first step. It maps the high and low points of the slab so the company and any engineer can see the pattern.
Why Slabs Move Here
The Hattiesburg area gets heavy rainfall, roughly 60 inches in a typical year by NOAA normals, and then dry spells in summer. Mississippi State University Extension materials describe how clay soil swells when it takes on water and shrinks as it dries. When the soil under one part of a slab swells or shrinks more than the soil under another part, the slab flexes and can crack or tilt.
Edges of slabs dry out faster than the middle, especially on the sunny side of the house or near large trees. Poor drainage can do the opposite and keep one side wet. Plumbing leaks under the slab can wash away or soften the soil that supports it. A good company will look at all of these, not just the concrete.
Common Slab Repair Methods
Which method fits depends on what the evaluation finds. Companies in this field generally use a combination of these approaches:
- Pressed or driven piers. Steel piers are driven through weak soil to deeper, more stable ground and the slab edge is lifted and supported on them.
- Drilled piers or bell-bottom piers. Concrete piers are formed in drilled shafts to a stable depth, used in some situations.
- Slab jacking (mud jacking or foam). Material is injected under the slab to fill voids and lift low areas. It is used mostly for lighter loads such as driveways, patios and some slabs, and the cause still has to be addressed.
- Crack repair. Cracks are injected or sealed after the movement has been addressed.
- Plumbing leak repair. If a leak is found, fixing it is part of the solution, and it may involve tunneling or rerouting lines.
- Drainage and moisture control. Gutters, grading and drains to stop water from keeping soil wet or washing it out.
There is no single correct slab repair. Ask the company why it chose its method for your house, what the alternatives are, and what happens if the soil keeps moving.
What to Ask Before You Hire
- Did you do a level survey or other measurement, and can I see it?
- Where do you think the movement is coming from?
- How deep will the piers go, and how is that depth determined?
- Will the repair include lifting the slab, and how much?
- What drainage or plumbing work do you recommend?
- What does the warranty cover, who honors it and does it transfer to a buyer?
For larger structural repairs, an independent structural engineer can review the findings and proposal. Our cost factors guide lists what drives the scope of a slab repair.
Common Questions
How do I know if my slab has settled?
Look for sloping floors, doors that stick, stair-step or diagonal cracks in brick, and gaps between the slab and veneer. A floor-elevation survey measures how far different parts of the slab differ in height.
Are cracks in a concrete slab always a problem?
No. Thin cracks are common as concrete cures. Cracks that are wide, offset, or growing, or that come with other signs of movement, deserve a professional evaluation.
Can a slab be lifted back to level?
Often it can be raised toward level using piers or injection, but the right method and how much lift is practical depend on the structure and the soil. A company should explain the plan and its limits.
Ready to Have Your Foundation Looked At?
Call or send a request. We will route it to an independent, insured local company that handles foundation work in the Hattiesburg area.