Underpinning Services in Edmonton

When Your Foundation Is Sinking, Underpinning Offers a Permanent Fix

The root of your foundation problems could be caused by unstable or shifting soil beneath your home. If your foundation is sinking, settling unevenly, or showing structural stress, professional underpinning may be the most effective long-term solution.

Shield Foundation Repair provides expert foundation underpinning services in Edmonton, using engineered systems designed to stabilize and support your home at its base. Underpinning helps restore stability, protect your investment, and ensure the long-term safety of your home.

House settlement and how it is corrected.

What Is Underpinning?

Underpinning is the process of supporting or strengthening the foundation of an existing house, building or similar structure. It strengthens your home’s foundation by installing deep support piles that transfer the building’s weight to stronger soil layers.

It is usually required when the soil beneath your foundation can no longer support the structure, leading to movement, cracks, or uneven settling.

When Is Underpinning Necessary?

Underpinning is often required when soil conditions fail to provide adequate support. Common causes include:

Expansive soil — Clay-rich soil that swells when wet and shrinks when dry, causing seasonal movement under the foundation.
Poor soil compaction — If the ground wasn’t properly compacted during construction, it can settle unevenly over time.
Soil erosion — Caused by poor drainage, this washes away key support layers.
Soil creep — Slow, downward movement of soil on slopes, which puts lateral pressure on foundations.
Renovations — Adding a second story or heavy addition without reinforcing the original foundation.
Substandard construction — If the builder didn’t consider soil conditions when laying the original foundation.

Signs Your Home May Need Underpinning

You don’t need to be an expert to spot the red flags. Here’s what to look for:

Windows or doors that suddenly stick or won’t close
Uneven or sloping floors
Cracks in floors, brickwork, or drywall
Baseboards or crown molding separating from walls
Chimneys or porches pulling away from the main structure
Wallpaper tearing or bubbling (hiding cracks underneath)

Concerned about these signs?

Worried about cost? We offer Payment Plans

How We Fix It— Our Underpinning Systems

Screw Pile System

Helical screw piles are drilled beside your foundation and connected with brackets to lift and support the structure.

Best for: Moderate loads, fast installation, minimal disruption.

Concrete Friction Pile System

We drill 20–30 feet down, insert a steel rebar cage, and fill with concrete. Once cured, hydraulic jacks lift the home.

Best for: Heavier homes, deep soil instability, long-term durability.

Push Pile System

Steel piles are pushed into the ground until they hit load-bearing strata. Load capacity is verified during installation.

Best for: Homes with easier soil access, engineered precision support.

How Much Does Underpinning Cost?

Underpinning is a major structural repair, and the cost can vary depending on the cause of the problem, the severity of settlement, and the repair method required. Because no two foundations fail for the same reason, pricing cannot be accurately determined without a professional assessment.

Shield Foundation Repair begins every underpinning project with a thorough foundation inspection to identify the root cause of movement, whether it is unstable soil, settlement, or structural stress. From there, we explain what is happening, outline the appropriate repair options, and provide a clear, transparent estimate.

Why Choose Shield for Underpinning?

Hundreds of positive reviews

Hundreds of Google reviews show exactly why homeowners trust Shield Foundation Repair. We deliver honest answers, quality workmanship, and repairs that last. Our results speak for themselves.

"We met Alex first for an estimate. And we had the opportunity to chat with the office staff a few times. Adam was quick to call us back when we had questions and Alex was always just a text or email away. Ramsey Miles and Evan were at our house for a few days for our repairs. They were friendly and respectful. There are still a few finishing touches required on our repairs weather/seasonal dependant, but we are very happy we called Shield to help us. They worked with us every step of the way during a very stressful time. We highly recommend them!"

“The Anton crew members did a great job installing 2 new window wells in my house. Their work was awesome. They waterproofed the walls and replaced the weeping tiles with new ones. They did a really great job of putting the window wells in. They did an awesome job and left the site amazingly cleaned up. They were very helpful and explained everything to me when I had questions. Thanks again Anton crew members.”

“Peter, Kola and Darien responded from Shield Foundation Repair to fix a leak from the house's foundation. They did a great job and once they finished and cleaned up, you’d never know the front yard had been piled high with land fill. Thanks for the great work. I’d recommend you to anyone who needs foundation fixes.”