This foundation repair information pertains exclusively to dealing with foundation repair situations found in Dallas Ft Worth area clay soil. Different soils and foundation types demand different repair methods. There is no single magic bullet for repairs across all of America.

Myth 1) The best piling system is a "self testing system" driven to refusal. Steel systems are typically driven to a rock strata, while pressed piling systems are more often, " driven to refusal". Refusal means that you can not push the pier system downward any deeper. In the case of pressed or pre-cast pilings or piers, this means the piling system has been pushed to compressed clay or possibly rock. Pressed concrete pilings seldom are driven deeper than 25 feet, and in many areas achieve "refusal" at depths of 6-18 feet.

Here are actual comparisons of piling depths obtained during two foundation repairs. In each case, steel was used to obtain better depth, with much less stress on the house.

	Steel Pier	Pressed Piling
Site 1	30 feet to refusal	15 feet to refusal
Site 2	18 feet to refusal	8 feet to refusal

Myth 2) Mudjacking is a good low cost way to a foundation Seldom does mudjacking give results that are satisfactory for the long run. Sometimes, mudjacking is even destructive to the house. Most companies only resort to mudjacking as a last resort for very poorly built foundation and will obtain a damage waiver prior to beginning repairs.

Myth 3 ) The void under the foundation should always be filled after the house has been lifted. Foundation repair companies will seldom fill the void, to allow for normal soil expansion during wet periods. When a void is filled, the expansive clay has no where to go except up through the floor. Once again, expansive wet clay soil is stronger than the typical slab foundation.

Myth 4) Steel piers and pressed pilings can be installed crooked, leaving the house unstable. During the pile driving process, the soil forms a rigid wall, constraining each section of pipe or concrete to follow the next straight down. Neither steel or concrete is driven in a crooked manner by a competent installation team. Just ask your engineer.