Ultimate Foundation Repair Guide – Know the Terms, Issues, & Solutions

A building’s foundation is a very important part of the whole so use our foundation repair guide to understand the terms. It is the base that everything rests on. Over time, foundations can develop issues because of soil movement and water damage. Understanding the language used when talking to foundation repair companies. Let it help you recognize signs of foundation damage. Learn about foundation repairs. Understand how things work. It is, after all, essential when taking care of your home.

Use our guide. Let it help you understand the language and all the many aspects of foundation repair. Hopefully, it helps you identify problems early and decide how to best care for your foundation. This information is a valuable reference for caring for your home’s foundation.

Concrete Slab Foundation – Pour concrete forming a flat concrete slab. Concrete flab foundations are poured directly onto the ground.

Crawl Space – You find these spaces under a house. They are there to help you get at plumbing and electrical systems.

Expansive Soil – When soil gets wet then dry, swelling and then shrinking. This often leads to foundation movement.

Foundation – The base that supports a building.

Footing – It is part of the foundation base that helps distribute the building’s load to the soil.

Frost Line – The depth to which the ground freezes in winter, which can impact foundation stability.

Grade Beam – A reinforced concrete beam distributing loads from the foundation to the soil.

Heaving – The upward movement of a foundation caused by expanding soil, frost, or water retention.

Hydrostatic Pressure – The pressure created by water in the soil. It can lead to foundation movement and cracked foundation.

Load-Bearing Capacity – Soil’s ability, along with the foundation, to support a structure without excessive settlement.

Mat Foundation (Raft Foundation) – These are for large buildings. It is a concrete slab that spreads the building’s load over a large area.

Pier Foundation – Foundation repair system that uses columns or piers. They help support the foundation and help prevent settling.

Pier and Beam Foundation – A foundation repair that uses concrete piers for supporting beams to hold up the building. There is no foundation slab; instead, the building rests on a series of beams. Not all foundation repair companies offer pier and beam foundation repair.

Settlement – When a foundation sinks or moves downward.

Soil Compaction – Pressing soil down so it is denser. It helps reduce movement and setting.

Soil Erosion – The removal of soil around the foundation, leading to instability.

Underpinning – Used to help strengthen and help level a foundation by extending its depth or adding support.

Watering Schedule – A regular, year-round watering strategy using soaker hoses or drip irrigation. Essential in clay-heavy regions to prevent shrink-swell soil issues.

Root Barrier – A physical underground barrier used to prevent tree roots from impacting the foundation.

Bowing Walls – Walls that curve inward due to soil pressure or hydrostatic pressure.

Differential Settlement – Uneven sinking of different foundation parts, leading to structural damage.

Diagonal Cracks – Cracks running at an angle. This can happen when soil settles unevenly. You will also see it when the soil moves or shifts.

Efflorescence – When leaking or seeping water leaves behind white, chalky mineral deposits. You see it on brick and concrete.

Foundation Heaving – Foundation lifts due to soil expansion, water retention, or frost.

Foundation Rot – Decay of wooden foundation components due to moisture exposure.

Horizontal Cracks – Cracks running side to side. They often happen because of increased soil pressure or water damage.

Lateral Movement – When the foundation shifts sideways. It happens when there is pressure from the soil pressure.

Moisture Intrusion – When water seeps into the foundation. You will see mold, cracks, and other damage.

Perimeter Drainage Failure – When drainage systems around the foundation fail, leading to water accumulation.

Shrink-Swell Soil – When the soil expands and shrinks when going from wet to dry. You see it when the parts of the foundation change position.

Sinking Foundation – A foundation is lower than where it was initially. This is often because of weak soil conditions.

Slab Cracks – Breaks or fractures in a concrete slab foundation due to movement or stress.

Soil Liquefaction – Over wet soil loses strength.

Stair-Step Cracks – When cracks create a stair-step pattern. You can see it in brick and drywall. Often this is a sign of foundation movement.

Tilted Chimney – A chimney pulling away from the house due to foundation movement.

Vertical Cracks – Foundation cracks running up and down, usually caused by settlement.

Voids Under Slab – Empty spaces beneath a concrete slab caused by soil erosion or poor compaction.

Water Table – The level at which soil is saturated with water, affecting foundation stability.

Auger Cast Piles – Deep foundation elements created by drilling and filling with concrete to support structures.

Bell Bottom Piers – These Piers with a widened base. They help support more weight.

Carbon Fiber Straps – High-strength materials used to reinforce bowing or cracked foundation walls.

Drilled Shaft Foundation – A deep support system made by digging a hole and filling it with strong concrete.

Epoxy Crack Injection – A method using epoxy resident. It fills and helps reinforce foundation cracks.

French Drain – Trenches are filled with gravel around perforated pipe. It helps move water away from the foundation.

Helical Piers – Large screw-like steel piers driven into the ground. They help reduce foundation movement and help lift a foundation.

Hydraulic Jack – A lifting device used to raise a settled foundation.

Micropiles – Piles with a small diameter. They help provide support to foundations when there is limited access.

Polyurethane Foam Injection – It is a lightweight foam used to lift concrete.

Pro-Lift Systems tm – Specialized foundation repair method designed to stabilize and lift buildings affected by foundation settlement. It uses driven piers, which are installed beneath the foundation. This system is widely preferred for its durability, precision, and relatively quick installation.

Push Piers – Steel piers hydraulically driven into the ground. They help support a foundation and help prevent settling.

Shoring – Temporary structural supports used during repairs to prevent collapse.

Slabjacking (Mudjacking) Equipment – It is a machine that pumps a grout mixture beneath a sunken slab. It helps lift a foundation back into place. Not all companies offer this.

Soil Injection Equipment – Tools that inject materials into the soil. The materials help prevent soil from expanding and contracting.

Steel Brackets – Support structures attached to foundation piers to provide additional stability.

Sump Pump – The pump removes water from basements and crawl spaces. This helps reduce flooding. Removing the water protects your foundation.

Swale Drain – A shallow ditch moves water away from your foundation.

Tiebacks – Anchors drilled into the soil to reinforce retaining or basement walls against soil pressure.

Vapor Barrier – Plastic sheets that prevent moisture from rising into a crawl space or basement.

Waterproofing Membrane – It is a protective layer used on foundations. It helps stop water.

Foundation Watering System – A controlled system (typically soaker hoses or drip irrigation) placed around the foundation to maintain consistent soil moisture levels.

Soaker Hose – A low-pressure irrigation tool that releases water slowly to prevent soil shrinkage.

Irrigation Zone Control – Separates watering zones to manage water usage near foundations vs. lawns.

Water Accumulation Zone – Areas where water collects due to improper drainage, increasing the risk of damage.

Hydration Cycle – Routine watering schedule to prevent moisture swings in clay soil.

Drainage Correction – Changing slope or installing tools to divert water away from the foundation.

Surface Runoff – Water flowing across soil, potentially toward the home.

Downspout Extension – Pipes that redirect gutter water away from the foundation.

Standing Water – Pooled water near the foundation that can lead to erosion or heaving.

Foundation Inspection – Routine check for damage, moisture, or structural issues.

Seasonal Foundation Care – Adjusting watering and drainage based on climate cycles.

Moisture Meter – Tool to monitor soil dampness around the foundation.

Crack Monitoring Gauge – Tracks growth of cracks to assess ongoing movement.

Foundation Warranty Inspection – Checkup to ensure warranty coverage and structural health.

Preventative Repair – Early fixes that stop minor problems from escalating.

Sump Pump Test – Verifying your water removal system works before storms.

Foundation Recordkeeping – Log of repairs, inspections, and conditions over time.

Sealant Maintenance – Resealing cracks and joints to prevent water intrusion.

Foundation Plantings – Shallow-rooted greenery placed a safe distance from the home.

Root Barrier – Subsurface block installed to prevent root intrusion.

Mulch Clearance Zone – 6-inch gap left between mulch and the home’s walls.

Grading Slope – A downward angle in soil to direct water away from the home.

Landscaping Berm – Raised mounds that reroute water flow.

Swale – Shallow trenches guiding water downhill.

Hardscaping Drainage Design – Sloped surfaces that drain away from the structure.

Foundation Garden Bed – A bed designed with low-maintenance plants and built-in drainage.

Permeable Ground Cover – Surfaces that let rainwater soak in instead of run off.

Planting Distance Rule – Trees should be planted at least half their mature height away from the home.

Water Intrusion – Water entering foundation walls or slabs, causing damage.

Basement Seepage – Water infiltrating below-grade walls and floors.

Capillary Action – Water wicking upward through porous foundation materials.

Concrete Spalling – Deterioration caused by water penetration and freezing.

Efflorescence – Mineral salt deposits left after water evaporates from masonry.

Foundation Saturation – Overly wet soil pressing against or weakening the foundation.

Hydrostatic Pressure – Pressure from groundwater that pushes inward on walls or slabs.

Mold and Mildew Growth – Fungal growth from trapped moisture, especially in crawl spaces or basements.

Ponding Water – Standing water next to the foundation.

Seepage Cracks – Water-widened foundation cracks that feel damp or leak.

Sump Pump Failure – When the water removal system stops functioning during wet periods.

Vapor Transmission – Moisture rising through materials as vapor.

Waterproofing Failure – Breakdown of barriers meant to keep water out of foundation areas.

Foundation Repair Ultimate Guide

Foundation problems cause a ripple effect. Problems appear everywhere. If you don’t do anything, problems get worse. Fixing them costs more. Understand the language used. Believe it or not, it will help you catch problems before they get too big. You can them take steps and protect your home foundation. Whether dealing with foundation settlement, bowing walls, or moisture intrusion, modern repair techniques such as helical piers, push piers, slabjacking, and waterproofing membranes offer reliable solutions to restore structural integrity.

Staying informed. Know when to reach out to Arch Foundation Repair. Ensure your home foundation is there for you for years to come. With knowledge and tools, manage foundation problems effectively, prevent costly repairs, and keep your foundation happy.