Heaving Concrete
Changes in Weather Conditions Can Cause Concrete to Heave
Foundations are probably the strongest parts of your home, but they can be impacted by forces that don’t seem to be very destructive. One of the biggest causes of foundation problems is something called foundation heave. Foundation heave can cause your walls to crack, doors to stick, and floors to become uneven. Foundation heave can exert enough pressure to lift your whole house, but in most cases, it only pushes against a portion of the slab or foundation. This uneven pressure can cause cracks and other damage to occur.
Matthews Wall Anchor & Waterproofing Services has the tools and expertise to help you with foundation heave.
Understanding the Causes of Shifting & Moving Foundations
Foundation shifting occurs when the soil beneath your home can no longer support the structure, causing movement that affects walls, floors, windows, doors, and overall stability. Common causes include:
- Soil moisture fluctuations — Wet soil expands and creates hydrostatic pressure, while dry soil shrinks and weakens, leading to foundation movement.
- Poor soil compaction — Homes built on improperly compacted soil may settle unevenly as the ground shifts over time.
- Maturing tree roots — Roots growing under or around the foundation can push against walls or alter soil moisture, causing movement.
- Aging foundations — Concrete naturally deteriorates over time, making older homes more prone to shifting.
- Leaking plumbing — Water from broken or leaking pipes saturates the soil, leading to swelling and lateral pressure on the foundation.
- Poor drainage around the home — Landscaping without proper drainage can increase water buildup near the foundation, causing soil instability.
Understanding why your foundation is shifting helps determine the best stabilization solution to restore safety and prevent future damage.
Solutions for Foundation & Concrete Heave Repair
Foundation Underpinning with Helical & Push Piers
Foundation heave occurs when expanding soil pushes the foundation upward, causing cracks, uneven floors, sticking doors, and structural stress. Matthews Wall Anchor & Waterproofing Services installs ECP helical piers and push piers to stabilize areas affected by heave and help restore the foundation to proper elevation. Underpinning solutions help:
- Stabilize the foundation and reduce upward movement
- Transfer structural weight to deeper, stable soils
- Restore levelness to affected areas
- Prevent future heave-related damage
- Provide long-term structural reliability with engineered ECP products
Wall Anchors for Lateral Stability
If heaving soil causes walls to crack or shift, Matthews Wall Anchor installs wall anchors to counter soil pressure and reinforce the structure. These systems:
- Provide lateral support against expanding soil
- Stabilize cracked or displaced foundation walls
- Prevent additional inward or upward movement
- Strengthen the foundation during soil stress cycles
Carbon Fiber Wall Supports
For certain types of wall cracks caused by heaving, carbon fiber wall supports provide a strong, low-profile reinforcement option. This method strengthens damaged sections and prevents further cracking with minimal interior disruption. Carbon fiber benefits include:
- Permanent reinforcement for heave-related wall cracks
- Clean installation suitable for finished spaces
- High-strength, long-lasting structural support
Water Management & Drainage Corrections
Because foundation heave is often caused by excess moisture accumulating under or around the home, Matthews Wall Anchor inspects your property to identify water sources and recommends the best drainage improvements. Addressing moisture is critical to preventing future heave. Drainage solutions may include:
- Interior or exterior waterproofing
- Sump pump and sump pit installation
- Foundation drainage improvements
Related Services
Foundation Repair
Moisture problems in a crawl space can signal deeper foundation issues such as settlement, sagging floors, or wall movement. Matthews Wall Anchor & Waterproofing Services provides professional foundation stabilization using helical piers, push piers, wall anchors, and structural supports to protect your home from long-term damage.
Crawl Space Repair
From sagging floors and rotted joists to failing support posts and moisture-damaged structures, our crawl space repair solutions address the underlying problems that contribute to mold growth. We reinforce, stabilize, and restore your crawl space to ensure structural integrity and a healthier environment throughout your home.
Waterproofing Solutions
Excess moisture is the root cause of most crawl space mold and mildew. Our interior and exterior waterproofing systems, sump pumps, drainage solutions, and vapor barriers work together to redirect water away from your home, reduce humidity, and create a dry, healthy environment under your house.
Hydroblox Residential Drainage Systems
Hydroblox panels provide high-efficiency drainage without the clogging issues of traditional pipe systems. Installed around crawl spaces or problem moisture areas, Hydroblox moves water quickly and consistently—helping keep your crawl space dry and preventing mold and mildew from returning.
Request a Free Estimate
Get a free, no-obligation inspection from Matthews Wall Anchor—trusted specialists in foundation repair, waterproofing, and structural stability.
