Uneven Floors - Foundation Repair in Montgomery, AL

Alabama, where clay soil expands and contracts, uneven floors are common in older homes

and new ones alike. Understanding uneven floors foundation repair helps you restore level

surfaces and protect your home’s structure.

Measuring Uneven Floors

You might first notice uneven floors when furniture wobbles, a ball rolls across the room, or you

feel a slope while walking. To measure, use a long (4‑ to 6‑foot) level placed in different

directions. If the bubble is off center by more than 1/4 inch per foot, the floor is uneven. For

precise measurement, Montgomery Foundation Repair Co uses a digital level that reads in

hundredths of a degree. We also use a rotating laser level to create a reference plane

throughout the house. These measurements tell us how much the foundation has settled and

where.

Causes of Uneven Floors

In slab‑on‑grade homes, uneven floors mean the concrete slab has settled unevenly into the

soil. This is typically caused by clay shrinkage during drought or erosion from water. In

pier‑and‑beam homes, uneven floors result from settling piers, rotted floor joists, or sagging

beams. The slope may be gradual (a gentle tilt) or abrupt (a dip or hump). Montgomery

Foundation Repair Co identifies whether the unevenness is from settlement (sinking) or heaving

(rising). Each requires a different repair approach.

Repairing Uneven Slab Floors

For slab foundations, we install steel push piers or helical piers at points along the settled area.

Hydraulic jacks then lift the slab back to level. The process is precise-we can typically achieve

level within 1/4 inch over 20 feet. For minor unevenness (less than 1 inch), polyurethane foam

injection may be an option. However, foam does not address the risk of future settlement.

Montgomery Foundation Repair Co recommends piers for any significant or ongoing

unevenness.

Repairing Uneven Crawl Space Floors

For pier‑and‑beam homes, we first inspect the crawl space. We may need to replace sunken

piers with adjustable steel supports. If floor joists are sagging, we use hydraulic jacks to raise

them and install sister joists or new beams. The floor is then leveled gradually to avoid cracking

walls. In homes with rot, we replace damaged wood before leveling. After the floor is level, we

install a vapor barrier and dehumidifier to prevent future moisture problems.

Frequently Asked Questions