Sinking Garage

Sinking and Settlement of Your Garage Slab Can Mean Foundation Problems

Changes in your garage—such as widening gaps around the garage door, light shining through where it shouldn’t, or cracks forming in the floor or support columns—can signal that your garage slab is sinking. Because garages often carry significant loads, slab settlement can quickly lead to larger foundation issues if not addressed early. Matthews Wall Anchor & Waterproofing Services can evaluate these symptoms and determine whether your garage foundation needs structural support.

Understanding the Causes of Garage Slab Settlement

Garage slabs typically settle when the soil beneath them can no longer support the weight of the structure. Common causes include:

Poorly compacted soil during construction — Garages should be built on excavated and compacted soil, but many are simply built over leveled ground, making settlement more likely.
Improper drainage or downspout placement — Water directed toward the garage saturates the supporting soil, weakening it and leading to sinking.
Inadequate waterproofing systems — Without proper water management, moisture accumulates under and around the slab, softening the soil over time.
Soil erosion beneath the slab — Water washing out soil from under the concrete creates voids that cause uneven settling and cracking.

As the soil shifts or weakens, the garage slab begins to sink, leading to visible gaps, cracking, and other structural concerns.

Solutions for Sinking or Settling Garage Foundations

Helical Piers for Garage Slab Stabilization

For sinking or settling garage slabs, Matthews Wall Anchor & Waterproofing Services installs helical piers, the most reliable and stable solution for supporting garage foundations. These steel piers are drilled deep into stable soil using hydraulic torque, allowing them to bypass weak or poorly compacted soil beneath the slab. Helical piers help:

Professional Garage Foundation Inspection

Matthews Wall Anchor & Waterproofing Services will inspect your garage slab, evaluate soil conditions, and determine the best pier configuration to restore stability. Addressing settlement early prevents damage to garage doors, framing, vehicles, stored items, and the connected home structure. Our inspection helps identify:

Areas of active settlement or sinking beneath the garage slab
Soil instability, including moisture issues, erosion, or poor compaction
Structural stress indicators, such as cracks, gaps, or misaligned garage doors
Whether helical piers are the best solution for long-term stabilization

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.