Slab Foundation Repair in New Braunfels, TX
Cracked slab, sticking doors or a corner that has dropped? Send one request and we'll pass it to one local foundation repair company.
- Free to use
- One local company, not a list
- No obligation to hire
Referral website, not the contractor. How it works
Slab foundation repair in New Braunfels usually means installing piers under the part of a concrete slab that has settled or heaved, then lifting it back toward level. To get help, send a request with the form.
New Braunfels Foundation Co. is a referral website, not a foundation repair company. We send your request to one independent local foundation repair company. You never pay us; companies we refer you to may pay us for referrals.
A local foundation company told Community Impact in 2023 that rural homes on the east side "were all pier and beams; now, they're all slabs." If your home has a crawl space instead, see pier and beam foundation repair.
Why slabs crack on New Braunfels clay
A slab rests on the soil directly under it. On the east side of town, much of that soil is Blackland Prairie clay. USDA describes Houston Black clay, a typical Blackland soil, as having "high shrink-swell potential," with dry-season cracks up to 4 inches wide and at least a foot deep.
That movement is rarely even. The edge of a slab dries faster than the middle in a drought, so the perimeter can sink while the center stays put. After heavy rain, the edges can swell back up. A leaking pipe can soak one area while the rest stays dry. Concrete can't bend much, so it cracks, and the walls and doors above it show the strain.
The city's building official told Community Impact that homes with highly expansive clay "immediately under your foundation" have "a much higher chance of having foundation problems," and said the drought that began in October 2021 led to record foundation repairs across Central Texas in 2022.
Signs your slab needs attention
- Doors that stick or won't latch, especially several in one part of the house
- Diagonal cracks running from the corners of doors and windows
- Stair-step cracks in brick or mortar outside
- Gaps between the slab edge and the soil, or between trim and the floor
- Cracked or popped floor tiles
- A slab corner or edge that looks lower than the rest
The New Braunfels building official listed uneven flooring, gaps between the ground and the foundation, broken tiles, and cracks in the soil, the exterior foundation or interior walls as warning signs. This Old House notes that cracks in concrete slabs are common and don't always point to serious problems. The signs of foundation problems guide explains how to tell the difference.
How slab repair usually works
Every company has its own method and should explain it in writing. A typical slab repair has five steps:
- Evaluation. The company measures how far the floor is out of level and maps the low and high areas.
- Permit. The City of New Braunfels requires a permit to repair a building and lists "Foundation" as its own residential permit type. Ask the company whether it pulls the permit.
- Excavation. Crews dig next to the slab at each pier location, or tunnel under it for interior piers.
- Piers and lift. A New Braunfels company described pressing steel or concrete piers "at least 12 feet below the foundation" with a hydraulic press. HomeAdvisor describes the pier being placed under the foundation and raised with hydraulics to lift it back into place.
- Backfill and testing. Holes are filled, and many companies recommend a plumbing test afterward, because lifting can stress pipes under the slab.
Common pier types
The sources below describe these methods. Which one fits your house is a question for the company, or for an independent engineer.
| Method | How it's described | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Pressed concrete piers | Concrete pilings pressed into the ground with a hydraulic press (New Braunfels company, Community Impact) | How deep each pier went, and whether depth is recorded per pier |
| Pressed steel piers | Steel piers driven with a hydraulic press (Community Impact); HomeAdvisor describes hydraulic piers that lift and support the slab | Pier material, and the recorded depth |
| Helical piers | "Metal pins used for support" in underpinning (Thumbtack) | Why helical piers suit your soil better than pressed piers |
| Slabjacking or mudjacking | Grout pumped under the slab to float it back up (HomeAdvisor) | HomeAdvisor notes it isn't right for every foundation; ask whether it suits yours |
What slab repair costs
HomeAdvisor puts piers at about $1,000 to $3,000 each and most foundation repairs at about $2,225 to $8,133 (checked October 2026). This Old House, using Angi data, lists slabjacking at about $550 to $1,300 and full lifting and leveling at $20,000 to $23,000. A New Braunfels company told Community Impact its jobs ranged from $3,000 to $60,000.
Pier count, depth and interior work drive most of the price. See the foundation repair cost guide for the full breakdown.
Plumbing leaks and slab movement
A plumbing leak under a slab can wet the soil and start movement on its own. A New Braunfels plumber explained to Community Impact that a break under the house that "leaks and it gets wet moisture" can develop into shifting. Local companies described hydrostatic sewer tests that find leaks before or during repair.
Insurance treats the two differently. The Texas Department of Insurance says most policies cover sudden and accidental water damage, such as a burst pipe, but not gradual leaks. If a leak is involved, call your insurance agent before work starts.
Protecting a slab after repair
Repairs hold up better when the soil around them stays steady:
- Keep gutters and downspouts discharging away from the slab.
- Make sure soil slopes away from the house.
- In dry months, water evenly along the foundation. New Braunfels Utilities currently allows foundation watering by handheld hose, soaker hose or drip line within 24 inches of the foundation, on any day during allowed hours. Check the current stage first.
- Watch for new cracks or doors that start sticking again, and call the company that did the work.
Before you hire
- Get the pier layout and price in writing.
- Ask whether the company pulls the city permit.
- Ask whether any warranty is transferable, and read what it excludes.
- Ask whether it recommends an independent evaluation by a Texas-licensed professional engineer (P.E.) before and after the repair.
Related pages: house leveling, foundation inspection, and the foundation repair FAQ.
Common questions
Can a cracked slab foundation be repaired?
Usually, yes. Most slab repairs in Central Texas support the settled part of the slab with piers and lift it back toward level. HomeAdvisor says cracks that don't affect the structure are an easy fix, while cracks wider than 1/8 inch are cause for concern. The company's evaluation, or an independent engineer's report, tells you which kind you have.
How long does slab repair take?
It depends on how many piers are needed and whether any have to go in from inside the house. Ask the company for an expected schedule in writing, including time for the permit, any plumbing test and backfill.
Will the cracks in my walls close after the slab is lifted?
Some will narrow and some won't. Lifting aims to bring the slab back toward level, not to restore every finish. Expect to patch drywall and touch up paint afterward, and ask whether the company handles any of that.
Do I need to be home during the work?
For exterior piers you usually don't need to be inside, but you'll need to clear the work areas. If piers go in under the house through the floor or by tunneling, plan around it. Ask the company what access it needs.
Sources (8)
- USDA NRCS official soil series description: Houston Black
- Community Impact (July 14, 2023): Foundation issues on the rise in New Braunfels
- HomeAdvisor: foundation repair cost (updated June 20, 2026)
- Thumbtack: foundation repair cost (updated July 1, 2026)
- This Old House: foundation repair cost (updated October 8, 2026; Angi data)
- City of New Braunfels: building permits
- Texas Department of Insurance: When are water damage and mold covered by insurance?
- New Braunfels Utilities: current water conservation stage
Last updated 2026-10-23