How do engineers assess load distribution before recommending repairs?

This is exactly where structural engineers play a critical role before foundation or structural repairs begin. They don’t just look at cracks, they study how the weight of your home is being carried by the foundation and soil.

• Engineers walk through the property, noting cracks, sloping floors, gaps at doors/windows.
• These symptoms are mapped to see which areas are sinking or carrying excess stress.

• They take precise floor elevation readings across the house.
• This creates a “contour map” showing how much one part of the foundation has moved compared to others.
• Helps identify differential settlement patterns.

• In expansive clay regions (like Houston), soil borings may be taken.
• Engineers analyze how soil type, moisture, and depth affect load-bearing capacity.
• This determines whether steel piers, helical piers, or concrete piers are most effective.

• Engineers calculate how much load walls, beams, and slabs are transferring to the foundation.
• They assess whether the existing foundation can carry that load, or if redistribution via piers is needed.

• Leaking pipes or poor drainage can soften soil under certain load points.
• Engineers verify whether soil moisture imbalance is the real cause before prescribing repair.

• If the load is uneven due to soil failure → piers are added to transfer weight deeper.
• If loads are minor but voids exist → slabjacking/polyjacking might be enough.
• If only cosmetic → monitoring may be recommended instead of immediate structural repair.

✅ In short: Engineers use a combination of elevation mapping, soil analysis, and load calculations to understand exactly where and why stress is uneven. Only then do they design a custom repair plan so your home sits evenly and safely on stable soil.