Understanding Slab Shifting and Foundation Repair in Auburn, AL

No, we do not recommend that you try to install slab piers alone. As well as being difficult and requiring specialist skills, slab pier installation can be dangerous to those who do not know what they are doing. Choosing professional services, by contrast, ensures that you get the right results every time. 

The Dangers of DIY 

Trying to deal with any structural damage by yourself is something that we would never recommend for several reasons. First, you must keep in mind that structural damage of any kind is complex and tends to have a number of underlying factors that must be considered. If you do not account for all of them, then any solution that you deploy will be fundamentally flawed and ineffective overall. What’s worse, is if the structure of your property is also damaged, trying to undertake DIY repairs could well lead to collapse in certain areas of flooring. This is not just damaging but actively dangerous as well. 

Assuming you are able to accurately diagnose the cause of your cracked floor slabs and identify all the underlying causes, you will still need to have the skills, tools, and equipment to deploy an effective solution. Non-professionals are unlikely to have everything that they need to do this for a number of reasons. Trying to do the work alone could lead to a bad result or even injury to your person. As such, it is best to contact a professional if you want to get effective, long-term results that also look good. 

Why Professional Services are Best 

If you choose to hire a professional, then you are far more likely to get high quality, durable results that prevent the recurrence of damage. This is because professionals are professionally trained and have experience, but also because they have the right tools and equipment to deal with whatever underlying issues are at work in your home. This ability helps them react to whatever secondary and tertiary issues that arise because of, or in connection with, your cracked floor slabs. 

Not only do professionals have the skills and experience to react, but also, they have access to the best products on the market. You see, while a DIY enthusiast will have to make do with what they can find over the counter in their local hardware store (or online), professionals can buy from industry supply stores and even direct from the manufacturers where necessary. As such, they can guarantee a durable and high quality result every single time. This is a guarantee that no DIY enthusiast can offer, no matter how skilled they are.  

Sinking and cracked floor slabs can be lifted, set, and repaired with the right tools and skills. In most cases, the SettleStop Slab Pier system will be recommended by professionals. This is the go-to solution for several reasons. 

Longevity and Durability 

Dealing with damaged or sinking floor slabs can seem quite daunting, especially when the underlying causes are structural in nature. Professionals commonly suggest slab piers as a solution for this kind of damage because slab piers offer a permanent solution to the problem. They can do this because they are designed to address the root cause of the issue. 

When cracked floor slabs are caused by structural damage to the property’s foundation, the issue is often based in the soil underneath the home. Slab piers lift, set, and hold damaged slabs in place by transferring their weight to competent, load-bearing soil below the frost line. This gives them stability and you peace of mind. 

Cost Effectiveness 

Another good reason to choose slab piers as a replacement method for your cracked or sinking floor slabs is that they are a far more cost-effective solution than simply replacing the floor slabs. While replacement can seem tempting because of the ‘like-new’ finish that it offers, it is a far less effective choice on all fronts. 

After all, replacing the slabs that have cracked will be time consuming and expensive. Beyond that, replacement is ineffective unless paired with a solution that addresses the underlying cause of the damage. If it is not dealt with, then the cracks and unevenness will simply reoccur at a later date and cost more money in the long run. 

When your slab foundation settles, you may see cracks along the walls, both inside and outside. You might also see one side of the concrete slab sticking up more than the other, indicating movement.