Slab Foundation Repair San Antonio
Pressed concrete and steel pier repair for settled, cracked, and sinking slab homes.
When the Slab Under Your House Starts to Move
If you’re searching for slab foundation repair in San Antonio, you’ve probably noticed something that’s hard to unsee: a crack in the tile, a gap over a door, or a corner of the house that seems lower than it used to be.
Most San Antonio homes built since the 1960s sit on a concrete slab, from the neighborhoods around the Medical Center to the newer subdivisions out by Alamo Ranch and Stone Oak. Slabs are strong, but they sit right on top of our expansive clay. When that clay dries out and shrinks, part of the slab loses support and drops.
The fix is usually piers: supports driven deep under the low areas so the slab can be lifted back up and held there.
San Antonio House Leveling Co. connects homeowners with local crews who do this every day. Call 210-899-6040 for a free inspection, or read on to see how slab repair works and what it costs.
FREE INSPECTION
Cracks in the tile or brick? Get the slab checked for free.
Why Slab Foundations Crack and Settle in San Antonio
Clay soil is the main culprit. During a dry summer it pulls away from the edges of the slab, and the corners and edges drop first. After heavy rain it swells and can push the middle of the slab up. Either way, the slab ends up uneven.
Trees make it worse. A big live oak or cedar elm near the house can pull a lot of water out of the soil on one side. Plumbing leaks under the slab can do the opposite, softening the soil in one spot until it gives way.
None of this means your house was built badly. It means it was built in San Antonio.
Signs of Slab Foundation Problems
Slab movement shows up both inside and outside the house:
- Stair-step cracks in brick or mortar
- Cracked floor tile or separating grout
- Diagonal drywall cracks from door and window corners
- Doors and windows that stick or won’t latch
- Gaps where the brick meets window frames
- A visible crack in the slab or garage floor
- Gaps between the wall and ceiling
Hairline cracks in the garage floor are common and often harmless. What matters is whether cracks are growing, and whether you’re seeing several signs at once.
How Slab Foundation Repair Works
Here’s what a typical slab repair looks like, so you know what to expect before a crew shows up.
Elevation Survey
Every good slab repair starts with readings. The inspector uses a digital level to measure the floor in every room and draws a map of the high and low spots. That map shows where piers need to go and how much lift each area needs.
Pressed Concrete Piers
Pressed concrete piers are the most common slab repair in San Antonio. The crew digs a small access hole next to the foundation, then presses stacked concrete cylinders into the ground with a hydraulic jack until they hit resistance.
Once enough piers are in place, the slab is lifted toward level and shimmed on top of the piers. They’re a proven, cost-effective repair for most homes.
Steel Piers
Steel piers work the same way but can be driven much deeper, sometimes to bedrock or very dense soil. They cost more per pier, but they make sense for heavier homes, deeper clay, or houses that have already been repaired once and moved again.
Plumbing Test After Leveling
Lifting a slab can stress the pipes underneath it. Many crews recommend a plumbing pressure test before and after the repair, so any leak is found and fixed before it softens the soil again.
What Does Slab Foundation Repair Cost in San Antonio?
The number of piers is the biggest factor. Here are typical ranges:
| Repair | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Pressed concrete pier (each) | $350 to $700 |
| Steel pier (each) | $700 to $1,000+ |
| Small repair, one corner (4 to 8 piers) | $2,500 to $6,000 |
| Whole-house slab repair | $5,000 to $15,000+ |
| Plumbing test before and after | $300 to $600 |
Be careful with bids that are much lower than the others. Fewer piers, shallower piers, or no elevation survey can make the price look good now and cost you later.
Slab Foundation Repair FAQs
Do I have to leave my house during slab repair?
No. Most work happens outside along the edge of the house. Interior piers occasionally require cutting through a floor, and the crew will tell you ahead of time if that’s needed.
Will my cracks close after the slab is lifted?
Many cracks close partway once the house is lifted. Drywall, brick, and tile still need cosmetic repair afterward, which is best done after the foundation work is finished.
Concrete or steel piers: which is better?
Both work. Pressed concrete piers are the most common choice in San Antonio and cost less. Steel piers go deeper and are worth it for some homes. The inspection should explain why one fits your house.
How long does slab foundation repair last?
Done right, with enough piers and good drainage around the house, a slab repair should hold for decades. Most contractors back their piers with a written warranty.
Get a Free Slab Foundation Inspection
The sooner a settling slab gets looked at, the fewer piers it usually needs.
Call 210-899-6040 or use the form above. A local pro will measure the slab, check the outside of the house and the drainage, and give you a clear written plan.
For pier and beam homes, drainage, and how the whole process works, visit our house leveling San Antonio page.
