The way your house is built decides how it moves and how it is repaired, so the first question in any foundation repair or house leveling job in Lubbock is whether you have a slab or a pier and beam foundation. This page explains both and describes the main repair methods in neutral terms. It is background information, not a recommendation. A qualified inspector or structural engineer should decide what suits your house.
Slab-on-grade foundations
A slab foundation is a layer of concrete poured on the ground, usually with thickened edges (footings) around the perimeter and sometimes interior beams, often reinforced with steel. Slabs are common in homes built from the mid-1900s onward. Because the slab sits directly on the soil, movement in the soil shows up as movement in the slab: parts can settle, and in some cases lift. Typical symptoms are cracks in walls and brick, sticking doors, and cracked tile.
Pier and beam foundations
A pier and beam house (also called a raised or crawl space foundation) has wood beams and joists carried by piers, with open space underneath. These foundations are common in older homes. Floors can feel springy, and movement often shows as sloping floors or sagging in the middle of the house, from shifting piers, deteriorated wood, or moisture in the crawl space. Many problems are fixed by adjusting or replacing supports under the beams, which is often less intrusive than slab work, though structural wood damage and moisture issues can add cost.
Repair methods compared
| Method | What it is | Typically used for | Things to ask about |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pressed (driven) concrete piles | Precast concrete segments are hydraulically pressed into the ground beneath the foundation until they reach resistance, then used to lift and support it. | Slab houses and some pier and beam houses | Depth reached, resistance achieved, number and location, how the foundation is leveled |
| Steel piers (push piers) | Steel tubes or rods are driven to a stable layer, and the structure is lifted and supported by brackets. | Slab and pier and beam houses, particularly where deeper support is wanted | Depth, bracket type, corrosion protection, whether an engineer approves the design |
| Helical piers | Steel shafts with screw-like plates are rotated into the soil to a load-bearing layer. | Where soil is soft or deeper support is needed, and sometimes for lighter structures | Torque and depth targets, spacing, soil data |
| Shimming and releveling | Existing supports under the beams are adjusted with shims or replaced, and the beams are brought back to level. | Pier and beam houses | Condition of beams and joists, how many supports are replaced, and moisture control |
| Mudjacking | A cement-based slurry is pumped under a slab to fill voids and lift it. | Driveways, sidewalks, patios, some garage floors | Weight added, durability, whether it suits your slab and soil |
| Polyjacking | An expanding polyurethane foam is injected under a slab to fill voids and lift it. | The same kinds of flatwork as mudjacking | Material, expected lifespan, and whether the cause of the void is fixed |
Terminology varies between companies. Some use the same name for different methods, so ask exactly what will be installed, how deep, and how the number of piers was determined. Product names are marketing. The questions about depth, spacing, and engineering approval are what matter.
Why method alone is not the whole answer
- Cause matters. A pier does not fix a leaking pipe or a gutter that dumps water against the wall. Ask how the company addressed the cause.
- Design matters. The number and placement of piers depend on how the foundation moved. Ask for a diagram and for the reasoning.
- Leveling has limits. Lifting too much or too quickly can crack finishes and plumbing. A careful company explains how far it expects to lift and what is not guaranteed.
- Plumbing. With a slab, plumbing runs inside or under the concrete. Some homeowners have a plumbing leak test done before or after a slab repair. Ask your inspector whether it makes sense.
- Documentation. Keep the written scope, photos, pier locations, any engineer's letter, and the warranty. They matter if you sell the house.
Which methods usually fit which house?
As a general pattern, not a rule: slab houses are most often repaired with piers of one kind or another, plus drainage fixes; pier and beam houses are most often releveled by shimming or replacing supports, with piers added where the ground is moving; and mudjacking or polyjacking tends to be used for flatwork rather than the structure itself. A single house can need a combination. The deciding factors are the soil, how the house is built, how far it has moved, and how accessible the foundation is. When two companies recommend different methods, ask each one to explain the difference, and consider an independent engineer to help you compare.
For typical costs of each, see the cost guide. If you are not yet sure whether you need repair at all, start with the signs of foundation problems, and when you are ready to hire, use the guide to choosing a company.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my house is slab or pier and beam?
Slab houses sit directly on a concrete slab, with no crawl space and often no vents at the base. Pier and beam houses are raised off the ground, typically with a crawl space, small vents or an access hatch around the perimeter, and floors that may feel springier. If you are not sure, an inspector can tell you quickly.
Which repair method is best?
There is no single best method. The right choice depends on the type of foundation, the soil, the amount of movement, access, budget, and the cause of the problem. Ask each company why it recommends its method for your house and what the alternatives would be.
Are mudjacking and polyjacking foundation repairs?
They are slab-lifting methods usually used for flatwork such as driveways, patios, sidewalks, and sometimes garage floors. Whether they suit a house slab is a question for an engineer or an experienced inspector, because the structure and the soil matter.
Is a pier and beam house more expensive to repair?
Not necessarily. Releveling with shims or adjusted supports can be inexpensive. But if beams, joists, or supports are rotted, or moisture is a persistent problem, costs rise. Slab repairs with piers often cost more when many piers are needed.
Will repair make my floors perfectly level?
Not always. The goal is typically to stabilize the foundation and recover as much level as is safe, because lifting too far or too fast can crack walls, plumbing, and finishes. Ask what outcome the company expects and what is guaranteed.