Most projects run 1 to 3 weeks depending on the foundation's size and how many support points the design requires.
Underpinning extends an existing foundation's support down to a deeper, more reliable bearing layer, without necessarily rebuilding the foundation itself. Depending on the structure and load, that might mean micropiles, tieback-anchored brackets, or a combination transferring load past the failing soil near the surface.
In Dallas, underpinning almost always means getting load transfer past the active Blackland clay zone and onto the Austin Chalk or a comparably stable stratum beneath it, since a foundation left bearing in the clay itself will keep settling as the clay cycles wet and dry. GSI's Dallas underpinning work typically includes:
Most projects run 1 to 3 weeks depending on the foundation's size and how many support points the design requires.
Cost depends on foundation size, the depth needed to reach stable bearing ground, and how much settlement has already occurred, which our engineers confirm from test borings.
Yes. Every design is stamped by a licensed Professional Engineer and meets IBC and Texas Building Code requirements.
GSI offers 24/7 emergency response and can mobilize a crew within hours if settlement is actively progressing and threatening structural integrity.
Micropiles are one of the tools used to underpin a structure; underpinning is the broader process of extending an existing foundation's support, which might use micropiles, brackets, or another method depending on the situation.
We confirm the actual depth to stable bearing ground and the specific cause of settlement with test borings before designing the system, rather than assuming a standard depth applies.
Underpinning is typically installed section by section from outside or beneath the structure, which limits disruption compared to more invasive foundation replacement.
Yes. Underpinning is specifically designed to stop progressive settlement and prevent existing cracking from worsening, though it doesn't repair cosmetic damage that's already occurred.
A foundation that's already settling unevenly tends to keep moving until it's underpinned. Call (855) 599-5217 to get a Dallas underpinning assessment from a licensed engineer.
