They differ a lot. A slab is a concrete pad on the ground, and a pier-and-beam house has a floor held up on supports above the ground. Repairs follow the type, so say which one you have before you ask for help.
A slab foundation is a concrete slab poured on the ground. A pier-and-beam foundation is a floor system held up by piers, posts or footings. The Texas Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) describes pier-and-beam foundations as structurally supported floor systems atop piers, posts or footings.
Because the two are built differently, the repairs differ. Slab repairs work on the concrete and the soil under it. Pier-and-beam repairs work on the supports and the wood floor framing, and on moisture in the crawl space.
Texas engineers list six methods for slab-on-ground foundations. Which one fits depends on the cause and the evaluation, and some jobs combine methods.
Repairs usually work on the supports and the wood floor above them. The ASCE guidelines list these methods:
Expect improvement, not perfection. The ASCE guidelines say perfection is not attainable by remedial measures, and that lifting a slab is unlikely to produce a perfectly level foundation. The guidelines also say water and drain lines should be tested for leaks if the repair includes jacking or lifting, and floor elevations should be measured again after the work.
On permits, the City of Amarillo says an owner or authorized agent must apply to the building official and get a permit before work such as building, altering or repairing a structure. The city does not name foundation repair on that page. Its May 2025 permit report does list at least 10 permits under the work class Foundation Repair, with descriptions such as installing steel piers or pilings. Call Building Safety to confirm what your job needs.
For new construction, Amarillo's residential code page says concrete foundations are designed by a registered design professional licensed in Texas or built in compliance with the Panhandle Residential Foundation Manual.
Call a Texas licensed engineer if you cannot tell which foundation type you have, or if cracks or sloping floors are getting worse. Say which type you have when you request any quote.
Partly. The ASCE guidelines say elevation adjustments are unlikely to result in a perfectly level foundation, and that underpinning does not improve performance in areas that are not underpinned.
Sometimes. Shimming fills gaps atop pier caps. The guidelines also list framing repairs, added supports and moisture control, so the right mix depends on what the evaluation finds.
They should when the work involves lifting. The ASCE guidelines say water and drain lines should be tested for leaks if jacking or lifting is included, and gas lines may need adjustment.
The city's May 2025 permit report lists permits under the work class Foundation Repair. Confirm the requirement for your job with Amarillo Building Safety.
Amarillo House Leveling is a free referral service, not a contractor. Request a free quote from a local foundation repair contractor.