Step by Step Process during a Concrete Slab Foundation Repair
If your concrete slab foundation needs repair, professionals should come to do the work as soon as possible. As a curious, involved homeowner, you might be wondering what the repair process entails. Here’s a step-by-step explanation, so you’ll know what to expect.
Step One: Concrete Slab Foundation Preparation
Before actual work on the concrete slab foundation can begin, contractors must get the location ready for the job:
- Workers will remove any plants from around the edges of the foundation. This is necessary to make sure there is clear access to all the concrete.
- Workers will lay down tarps to keep the area from getting unnecessarily messy.
- The workers might disconnect certain utilities to keep them safe on the job.
Once these preliminary measures are complete, it’s time to start working on the actual concrete slab foundation. 
Step Two: Digging Holes
Contractors will need a series of holes around the foundation to conduct the necessary repairs. They’ll usually start by digging a set of exterior holes around the outside portion of the foundation. Some repairs require interior piers, in which case additional holes will be required directly beneath your house. These interior holes are much more labor-intensive, requiring workers to break through portions of your actual concrete slab foundation. This necessary damage will be repaired during the final stages of the project.
Step Three: Concrete Slab Foundation Lift
Once the necessary holes are in place, workers will have to lift the actual foundation. This is done by installing concrete or steel piers under the concrete. The contractors will then use the piers and hydraulic jacks to lift the entire foundation. Positioning your house on top of the raised foundation will give the structure the stabilization it needs. Workers may also place steel shims beneath the concrete foundation to provide additional structural support.
Step Four: Taking Measurements and Covering the Holes
With the house in position, workers will tour the home to make sure the structure is completely level. Then, they’ll carefully fill in the holes that are remaining around your home. Expect to see some excess dirt around the foundation when the contractors are finished. This is to make up for the inevitable sinking that the soil will undergo after being disturbed during the repair process.
Step Five: Comprehensive Cleanup
Foundation repair contractors are usually consummate professionals, and they should leave your property in as good of shape as possible. After removing tarps, clearing debris, and replanting any disturbed vegetation, the workers will have completed their tasks. You should be left with a clean property and a fully repaired concrete slab foundation.
Conclusion: A Straightforward Process With Sturdy Results
Your home’s concrete slab foundation is what provides the structural integrity you need to keep you safe. With years of experience, local contractors should have no problem completing the foundation repair process described above. After the completion of five simple steps, your foundation will be as good as new.