cta section

SLAB FOUNDATION

FOUNDATION REPAIRS

PIER & BEAM

CAUSES & SIGNS OF FOUNDATION FAILURE

Why Foundations Fail in Corpus Christi & the Coastal Bend

In South Texas, shifting soil and extreme weather conditions make foundation issues a common problem for homeowners and businesses.

Here's what you need to know:

What Causes Foundation Failure in Our Area?

  • Expansive Clay Soils: The Coastal Bend has highly expansive soil that swells when wet and shrinks during dry spells — causing the ground to shift.

  • Droughts & Heavy Rain: Alternating dry and wet seasons create soil movement that stresses your foundation.

  • Poor Drainage: Improper water flow can erode or oversaturate soil around your home.

  • Tree Roots: Invasive roots pull moisture from the soil and disturb the surrounding foundation.

  • Improper Grading or Construction: A poorly built foundation or lack of soil preparation can lead to early failure.

Signs You May Have a Foundation Problem

Don't wait until the damage is severe. Look out for these common warning signs:

  • Cracks in interior or exterior walls

  • Uneven or sloping floors

  • Doors and windows that stick or don’t close properly

  • Gaps between walls and ceilings or floors

  • Separation around garage doors or porches

  • Cracked concrete or bricks

  • Standing water near your foundation

Why Prompt Repair Matters & Who You Hire Makes a Difference

Foundation issues only get worse over time — leading to costlier repairs, lowered home value, and even safety risks. That’s why it’s critical to work with a reputable, insured company that specializes in structural repairs.

At On The Level Foundation & Roofing, we:

  • Are fully insured and locally trusted

  • Offer free evaluations and honest pricing

  • Use time-tested methods with long-term warranties

  • Handle permitting and inspections for a hassle-free experience

Common Foundation Repair Methods We Use

Every property is different, but we use the most effective solutions based on your soil, structure, and damage:

  • Concrete Pressed Piers – Driven deep into stable soil for long-term support

  • Steel Piers – High-strength, precision installation for deep foundation issues

  • Mudjacking/Slabjacking – Lifts sunken concrete with grout injection

  • Soil Stabilization & Drainage Correction – Prevents further movement and moisture damage

  • Under Slab Tunneling – Minimizes disruption for plumbing or structural access

🧱 What Is a Pier & Beam Foundation?

A pier and beam foundation is a traditional type of home foundation built on a raised structure, supported by concrete piers (or wooden posts) and beams. It creates a crawl space underneath your home, allowing for easier access to plumbing, electrical, and structural components.

This style of foundation is common in older homes across Corpus Christi and the Coastal Bend — especially in areas with high moisture or unstable soils.

🌴 Why Pier & Beam Foundations Work Well in Corpus Christi

With our region’s expansive clay soil and frequent shifts between drought and heavy rain, pier and beam systems offer key advantages:

  • Elevated design helps protect your home from flooding or standing water

  • Flexibility – allows the structure to move slightly with soil changes without major cracking

  • Easy access to plumbing and utilities for repairs and upgrades

  • Better ventilation under the home, helping prevent moisture buildup

⚠️ Common Pier & Beam Foundation Issues in South Texas

Despite their benefits, these foundations can still develop issues — especially if they haven’t been maintained. Watch out for:

  • Sagging or bouncy floors

  • Wood rot or termite damage to beams and joists

  • Pier settlement or leaning due to soil erosion

  • Cracks in drywall or floors

  • Mold or mildew in the crawl space

  • Plumbing leaks from broken or aged lines under the home

🔍 How We Inspect Pier & Beam Foundations

At On The Level Foundation & Roofing, our inspections are thorough and built on experience. Here's what we check:

  1. Crawl Space Access & Structure
    – We inspect the piers, beams, joists, and subfloor for damage, sagging, or shifting.

  2. Moisture Conditions
    – We check for signs of water pooling, wood rot, mold, or pest damage in the crawl space.

  3. Interior Signs of Movement
    – We look for cracks in walls, uneven floors, sticking doors, and alignment issues.

  4. Plumbing & Drainage Review
    – We assess if water leaks or poor drainage are affecting your foundation's stability.

  5. Laser Leveling & Elevation Readings
    – For accurate measurement of settlement and slope.

After the inspection, we provide a detailed report and walk you through recommended solutions — no pressure, no upselling.

🛠 Common Pier & Beam Repair Methods We Use

  • Re-shimming – Adjusting and leveling the structure using steel or composite shims

  • Replacing or Re-leveling Piers – Resetting or adding piers for better support

  • Beam and Joist Repair – Replacing damaged wood due to rot or termites

  • Drainage Correction – Adding French drains or grading to prevent future moisture issues

  • Under-Floor Insulation or Vapor Barriers – To protect against humidity and mold

What Is a Slab Foundation?

A slab foundation is a single layer of concrete, typically 4–6 inches thick, poured directly onto the ground. Reinforced with steel rebar, this foundation style supports the full weight of your home and is common in many newer homes across Corpus Christi and the surrounding areas.

Slab-on-grade construction is cost-effective, fast to build, and ideal for areas without extreme freeze cycles. However, due to the nature of South Texas soils, slab foundations are still vulnerable to shifting and damage over time.

Why Slab Foundations Are Common in Corpus Christi

The flat terrain and warmer climate in the Coastal Bend make slab foundations a popular choice for residential and commercial buildings. Benefits include:

  • Lower construction costs compared to pier and beam

  • Faster build time

  • Fewer crawl space or pest concerns

  • Ideal for level lots and non-flood zones

However, with expansive clay soils that expand when wet and shrink during dry spells, slab foundations in Corpus Christi require proper grading, drainage, and soil preparation to remain stable over time.

Common Slab Foundation Issues in South Texas

Signs of foundation distress may be subtle at first but worsen with time. The most frequent slab-related problems in this region include:

  • Cracks in floors, walls, or ceilings

  • Doors and windows that stick or won’t latch

  • Uneven or sloping interior floors

  • Gaps between walls and baseboards

  • Cracked or separated exterior bricks

  • Pooling water around the foundation perimeter

  • Plumbing leaks beneath the slab

Foundation damage can occur due to soil movement, improper drainage, plumbing failures, or poor initial construction.

How We Inspect Slab Foundations

At On The Level Foundation & Roofing, our slab inspections are comprehensive and based on years of local experience. Our process includes:

  1. Visual inspection of the home’s interior and exterior for signs of movement

  2. Elevation measurements using laser levels to detect areas of settlement

  3. Assessment of drainage patterns, downspouts, and grading

  4. Structural review of foundation cracks and slab integrity

  5. Plumbing pressure tests when necessary to detect under-slab leaks

We provide a full report with our findings, along with clear repair recommendations customized to your property and soil conditions.

Common Slab Foundation Repair Methods We Use

  • Concrete Pressed Piers – Installed beneath the slab to lift and support settled areas

  • Steel Piers – Precision-driven for deeper, long-term stabilization

  • Mudjacking (Slabjacking) – Injecting material beneath the slab to raise sunken sections

  • Under Slab Tunneling – Allows access for plumbing and structural repairs without cutting through floors

  • Drainage Correction – Redirecting water away from the foundation to prevent future erosion or movement

Our methods are designed for the unique soil behavior in Corpus Christi and are backed by warranty and expert craftsmanship.