House leveling is the process of restoring a home’s foundation to its original position. Over time, shifting soil, moisture fluctuations, and structural wear can cause the foundation to settle unevenly, leading to noticeable structural issues.

Depending on your home's foundation type, house leveling may involve:

House leveling is a critical foundation repair process designed to correct uneven settling and restore a home to its original elevation. Over time, soil movement, moisture fluctuations, and structural load shifts can cause a foundation to sink, tilt, or develop uneven surfaces, leading to issues such as cracked walls, misaligned doors, and sloping floors. The leveling process varies depending on the type of foundation—pier and beam or slab—each requiring specialized techniques and materials to ensure long-term stability.

For pier and beam foundations, leveling typically involves pier and beam adjustments, where structural reinforcements are made to correct sagging or shifting. This process may include replacing or strengthening deteriorated wooden beams, adding support to weakened piers, or adjusting the height of existing piers using hydraulic jacks and steel shims. Over time, wooden shims used in older homes may compress or deteriorate, requiring replacement with more durable materials like steel or composite shims to prevent future shifting. Additionally, if the soil beneath the piers has eroded or compacted unevenly, additional supports may need to be installed to distribute weight more evenly and stabilize the structure.

For slab foundations, house leveling often requires slab foundation lifting, which involves installing foundation piers to raise and support sunken areas. This process typically includes the use of either push piers, which are driven deep into stable soil layers or bedrock, or helical piers, which are screwed into the ground for enhanced support. Once these piers are securely in place, hydraulic jacks are used to lift the slab back to its original level carefully. In some cases, polyurethane foam injection or mud jacking (a process where a cement-based slurry is pumped under the slab) may be used to fill voids and provide additional support. However, these methods are more commonly used for minor adjustments rather than extensive leveling.

Another essential component of house leveling is shimming and underpinning, which focuses on restoring level flooring and preventing further movement. Shimming involves adding precise amounts of material—usually steel or composite—to correct minor unevenness in pier and beam foundations. Underpinning, on the other hand, is a more intensive process used in both pier and beam and slab foundations. It involves strengthening the foundation by extending its depth, often using additional piers or concrete footings, to anchor the home into more stable soil layers. This method is particularly effective in areas with expansive clay soils, which experience significant moisture-related expansion and contraction.

Regardless of the method used, proper house leveling requires a comprehensive assessment of the foundation, soil conditions, and structural load distribution to ensure a long-lasting solution. Left unaddressed, foundation issues can worsen over time, leading to extensive and costly structural damage. By investing in professional house leveling services, homeowners can not only restore stability to their homes but also protect their property’s value and ensure long-term safety.