In this first photo, the symptoms of foundation settlement are easy to spot. The exterior windows show heavy stress cracks across the glass, and the framing has started to separate as the foundation beneath this section of the home sinks unevenly. The subtle downward slope along the stucco wall and gaps forming near the window sill indicate ongoing movement. These early warning signs are what led the homeowners to call us for a full evaluation, revealing that the home needed structural support before the damage worsened.
After identifying the settlement issues around the windows and exterior wall, our crew began excavating along the failing section of the foundation. In this photo, you can see the team uncovering the footing and preparing the area for helical pier installation. Portions of the exterior cladding had to be removed due to the amount of movement and cracking the home experienced. With the soil dug out and the footing exposed, the crew positioned pier sections and prepared to advance them deep into stable soil. This step is critical in creating a strong support system that can bear the home's weight and prevent further settling.
Inside the home, the same signs of settlement were appearing-cracked walls, sloping floors, and separation along the base of the interior walls. To stabilize this section, our team carefully removed the tile and concrete slab to expose the soil below. This photo shows the early stages of the interior excavation, where the crew has dug down to reach the bearing layer beneath the slab. The depth and size of the excavation highlight the amount of movement occurring under the interior floor. Preparing this space is a crucial step before installing the helical pier system that will permanently support the interior structure.
In another section of the home, the crew prepared the interior workspace to ensure the homeowner's belongings and living areas remained protected throughout the repair. Heavy-duty plastic sheeting, taped securely across the floor and walls, created a clean containment zone to control dust and debris. This preparation is essential for interior pier installations, especially in finished living spaces. With the home safeguarded, the team began clearing the area and setting up equipment so they could safely access the problem spots beneath the slab. This step demonstrates the attention to detail and respect for the home that goes into every structural repair we perform.
This area of the home required deeper interior excavation to reach stable soil capable of supporting a helical pier. After cutting and removing the tile and concrete slab, the crew created a precise opening down to the footing area. Here, you can see the excavation fully opened and the pier bracket set in position at the base of the hole. This placement is crucial because the bracket will ultimately connect the pier system to the foundation, transferring the structural load onto the deep, stable soil layers below. With the pier location prepared, the next step is advancing the pier to the engineered depth needed to permanently stabilize this section of the home.
Once the helical pier was advanced to the proper depth and secured to the foundation, the crew carefully backfilled the excavation and restored the interior slab. This photo shows the freshly poured concrete patch, leveled and smoothed to match the surrounding floor. With the pier now supporting the structure beneath this area, the home is protected against further settlement. After the concrete cures, the homeowner can reinstall flooring as desired, and this section will be just as strong if not stronger than the original foundation.
