Foundation Repair · Bexar County
When a foundation has settled, the fix is rarely about the concrete itself — it's about getting support down to soil that won't keep moving. Pier installation, also called underpinning, transfers the weight of the home onto piers that extend below the shifting surface clay to firmer bearing. It's the core method behind most permanent foundation lifts.
Different sites call for different piers. Pressed concrete piers are driven down in segments using the weight of the structure, while steel push piers can reach deeper and are often used where loads are heavier or the stable layer is farther down. Helical piers, which screw into the ground, are useful for lighter loads or where access is tight. The right choice depends on the soil profile, the load at each point, and the conditions we find on site.
Piers are placed at engineered intervals along the perimeter and at interior load points. Once they reach stable bearing, the home is lifted in stages and the piers are locked off to hold the new elevation. Done correctly, this provides long-term support, which is why underpinning is generally backed by a workmanship warranty on the installed piers.
There's no fixed number — piers are driven until they reach soil firm enough to carry the load, which can vary considerably from one site to the next, even within the same area. That depth is determined during installation rather than assumed up front.
It's designed to be a long-term solution because the load is transferred onto stable soil below the active clay. Keeping water and drainage in check around the home helps protect that result over time.
Call now or request a callback — same-week appointments across Bexar County.
Call (210) 460-1068